Concerning veteran survivor tuition waiver eligibility.

SB 5954 requires Washington public colleges to waive all tuition and fees for children and surviving spouses/domestic partners of veterans who died in service, were totally disabled due to service, or were prisoners of war/missing in action. To qualify, recipients must be Washington residents, meet age or federal eligibility criteria (e.g., under 26 or meeting VA benefit periods), and the waiver covers up to 250 credits with a $500 annual stipend for textbooks. The law does not apply to veterans who served only within the U.S. or its waters, and private colleges are encouraged but not required to adopt similar policies. Public institutions must report annually on waiver usage, including demographic data.