State Employee and Senior Citizen Tuition Waivers

Tuition waivers help reduce tuition costs for eligible students at WSU Vancouver, including Washington state employees and senior citizens. Each waiver has specific eligibility requirements, enrollment limits, and application periods.

State Employee Tuition Waiver (Fall and Spring)

Eligible State of Washington employees who have been admitted to Washington State University may request this waiver for fall and spring semesters only, not during summer term. Enrollment in classes is based on available space.

Enrollment limit

This waiver allows you to take up to six eligible credits per term. If you take more than six credits, standard tuition and fees apply to the additional credits.

Costs and fees

You are responsible for a $5 non-refundable administrative fee, plus any additional course or lab fees, books, and required course materials. Fees must be paid by the tenth day of the term to avoid late payment charges.

Course restrictions

This waiver may not be used for:

• 100 percent online courses, including Global Campus 
• Self-supporting courses
• Internships, practicums, or independent study
• Some program-restricted courses, including select Nursing and Education courses

Enrollment process

You must apply to and be admitted to WSU Vancouver before using the State Employee Tuition Waiver. If your waiver request is approved, the Registrar’s Office will enroll you in classes on the first day of the term if space is available. You should not self-enroll, as the waiver will not apply.

Application dates

Waiver request forms are only available during the dates listed below. 

Fall: August 1 through the 10th day of classes 
Spring: December 15 through the 10th day of classes 

If you try to access a form outside these dates, you will see a message indicating that the form is no longer active

Summer Education Benefits

Eligible WSU employees may request this benefit for summer session courses. Enrollment in classes is based on available space.

Enrollment limit

This benefit allows you to take up to four credits during summer session.

Costs and fees

You are responsible for a $5 non-refundable administrative fee, plus any additional course or lab fees, books, and required course materials. Fees must be paid by the tenth day of the term to avoid late payment charges.

Course restrictions

This benefit may not be used for:

• 100 percent online courses, including Global Campus  
• Self-supporting courses  
• Internships, practicums, or independent study  
• Upper-division or graduate-level courses (generally 499 and above)

This form is available during the summer term only.

Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver (Fall and Spring)

Washington state residents age 60 or older may use this waiver to audit courses during the fall and spring semesters. Audited courses do not earn grade points or university credit. Enrollment in classes is based on available space.

Enrollment limit

This waiver allows you to request up to six credits or two courses per term.

Costs and fees

You are responsible for a $5 non-refundable administrative fee, plus any additional course or lab fees, books, and required course materials. Fees must be paid by the tenth day of the term to avoid late payment charges.

Course restrictions

This waiver may not be used for:

• 100 percent online courses, including Global Campus.
• Self-supporting courses, including all summer session courses.
• Internships, practicums, or independent study, including 499, 600, 700, 701, 702,  800
• Upper-division or graduate-level courses (generally 499 and above)

Application process

Submit your completed Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver form to the Cougar Center in person on the first day of the semester, or email it to the Registrar’s Office at van.registrar@wsu.edu. Instructor signature is required. 

If you are new to WSU and do not yet have a WSU ID, you must also submit an Admission to Take a Class: Audit only form to be admitted as an audit-only student, along with the Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver form. 

Important notes

Audit enrollment requires instructor approval. Students are enrolled beginning on the first day of instruction, and you will not have access to Canvas until enrollment is complete. You are encouraged to contact instructors directly for course materials or Zoom information.