Waiver Types for Graduate Assistantships for Academic Student Employees (ASEs):
- Non-resident Waivers: Provided for all ASEs, regardless of funding type, with the expectation that domestic students will establish Washington State Residency by their second year, as they will no longer be eligible for a non-resident waiver. These waivers are not charged to external funding sources.
- Qualified Tuition Reduction – Operating and Building Fee (QTR-OB): The ASE receives a waiver of the operating fee and building fee portion of tuition as a fringe benefit. These tuition fees are charged to the external funding source.
- Operating and Building Fee Waiver (OBW): The ASE receives a waiver of the operating fee and building fee portion of tuition if assistantship is paid on core funds. No tuition revenue is collected.
- Flex Waiver (ASEs): Requested by the Principal Investigator through a through a Graduate School Commitment Request connected to a grant proposal. If approved, the flex waiver is attached to the grant rather than to an individual student and may be reassigned as needed for the life of the award. See website for eligible conditions. Flex waivers for ASEs waive both the operating fee and building fee portion of tuition. No tuition revenue is collected.
- All But Dissertation (ABD) Tuition Waiver – Closing: Final Applications Due August 15, 2026: Upon application approval for eligible ASEs funded on a grant, ABD waivers can be claimed for a maximum of two semesters. This waiver type will be discontinued after the 2026-27 academic year, with a final application date of August 15, 2026. No tuition revenue is collected. Tuition flex waivers (above) can still be requested for funded projects and fellowships.
Waiver Types for non-ASEs:
- Flex Waiver (fellowship): A flex waiver for a student receiving a fellowship that is in lieu of an assistantship is requested by the faculty advisor or program director through a Graduate School Commitment Request. If approved, the waiver is assigned to an individual student receiving the approved fellowship. Flex waivers waive only the operating fee portion of tuition. The student remains responsible for the building fee and other mandatory fees. See website for additional information. No tuition revenue is collected for the operating fee.
- Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP): The WRGP allows master’s, graduate certificate, and Ph.D. nonresident students from a Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) member state, territory, or freely associated state to enroll in graduate programs offered by public institutions in the west outside their home state or territory and pay reduced tuition by waiving the non-resident differential portion of tuition.
See the Graduate School Finance page for more detailed information on waivers and fund types.
Graduate Student Statuses:
- Full-time: Graduate students are full-time when enrolled in ≥ 10 credit hours (fall/spring). Full-time enrollment is required for assistantships and international student visa compliance. There is no expectation for summer enrollment unless a preliminary or final examination will be held or if the student needs enrollment for financial aid.
- Part-time: Graduate students are part-time when enrolled in 2-9 credit hours. Graduate students still must enroll in at least 2 credits each fall and spring semester unless in a special status (below). Part-time enrollment in summer is only required if the student is holding a preliminary or final examination, requiring a minimum enrollment of 2 research credits.
- Continuous Doctoral Status (CDS): Available to doctoral students who have finished coursework and prelims and are in the final stage of the degree. CDS meets the continuous enrollment requirement, but it is not credit-bearing enrollment. Students are still considered enrolled/active. There is a $50 per semester administrative fee for CDS but no tuition charges. Note that students on CDS still must enroll for a minimum of 2 credits of the appropriate 800 research credits course during the semester of their final exam. International students should consult International Programs before choosing this option as there are limitations.
- Reduced Course Load (RCL): An authorization from International Programs via submission through myPassport allows eligible F-1 and J-1 students to enroll part-time for approved academic, administrative, or medical reasons. This option can include students who have completed all required coursework and are enrolled only in minimum thesis or dissertation credits (e.g., 2 credits). RCL must be approved in advance by International Programs, in consultation with the Graduate School and the academic department, before a student reduces enrollment to part-time during the academic year.
- Leave / Non-Enrolled Statuses: These are special statuses in which the student in not in an active enrollment load nor on CDS or RCL. Each of these statuses requires a request from the student, supported by the program, and approved by the Graduate School in advance. International students also require approval from International Programs.
- Graduate Leave of Absence: For students who must be away from their studies for one or more semesters due to personal, family, job, financial, military, or Peace Corps service or other compelling reasons.
- Medical Leave: For students who must be away from their studies for medical reasons.
- Short-term Pregnancy/Parental Leave: Provides up to six consecutive weeks of leave from their academics, for the period directly before or after the birth or adoption of a child. During this time, the student continues to be enrolled and maintains their status as a full-time student.
- Internship Leave: For students completing internships without concurrent enrollment