In July 2021, a new law (SB 5194) replaced 2003's HB 1079 making it easier for all Washingtonians, including undocumented people, to get resident tuition and state financial aid. This law makes college more affordable, and many people who did not qualify before are now eligible. 

To qualify, students must meet all of the following requirements:

• Earn a high school diploma, GED, or diploma equivalent before their first term at the college determining residency.
• Maintain a primary residence in Washington for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before their first term at the college determining residency.
• Sign an affidavit saying they meet the above requirements and that one of the following is true:
  • They will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States (green card) as soon as they are eligible to apply. And that they are willing to engage in activities designed to prepare them for citizenship, including citizenship or civics review courses or
  • They are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident.

Please note: SB 5194 does not change a student's legal citizenship status. The law means that students who qualify will pay the same tuition rates that all other resident students pay.

I meet the three requirements above. What's the next step? 

Students must sign an affidavit in the Registration office, located in Laidlaw Center (LDC) 102, in order to change their tuition rates to resident status. The affidavit that HB 1079 students are required to sign is a confidential statement verifying that they qualify to pay resident tuition and that they will seek legal permanent residency when legally permitted to do so.

The affidavit can also be viewed on the Washington Student Achievement Council web page.