Right now, a bureaucratic loophole in Washington State law is stripping hard-earned educational benefits away from the families of severely injured combat veterans.

​Under Washington State Law RCW 28B.15.621, the state mandates a 100% tuition waiver at public colleges for dependents of veterans who are "totally disabled." However, the statute rigidly defines this as having a "one hundred percent service-connected disability rating."

​Because of this exact wording, college financial aid offices across Washington are actively denying the families of veterans with TDIU P&T (Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability, Permanent and Total) status.

​This is a direct penalty on total disability.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs explicitly certifies TDIU P&T veterans as totally and permanently disabled because their service-connected injuries prevent them from maintaining gainful employment. The federal government pays them at the 100% rate and grants them Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance. Their official federal records say "YES" to being totally and permanently disabled.

​Yet, because a TDIU veteran's underlying mathematical scheduler rating might read 70%, 80%, or 90% before their total disability status is applied, Washington State colleges look past the federal government's explicit certification. They use raw math to deny these families their state rights.

​A bureaucratic loophole should not dictate whether the child or spouse of a totally disabled veteran can afford higher education. Total disability means total disability, period.

​Our Demand:

​We demand that the Washington State Legislature immediately amend RCW 28B.15.621 to explicitly include veterans with VA-certified TDIU P&T status, ensuring they receive the exact same state tuition waiver benefits as 100% scheduler veterans.

​Sign and share this petition to protect Washington's veteran families and close the loophole.