WDVA vs. WDVA: Interstate Matchup Highlights Veterans Benefits in Lead Up to Badgers-Huskies Game

Video Campaign:

• WDVA Director Intro Shout Out Video 
• WDVA vs WDVA Campaign - Dr Houghton Spotlights the UW Student Veteran Life
• WDVA vs WDVA Campaign - WDVA Director Shout Out Video from UW Student Veteran Life Office

Madison, WI & Olympia, WA — The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) are teaming up—and squaring off—for a spirited social media campaign running from October 8 through November 11, 2025. Timed to culminate with Veterans Day and UW Wisconsin’s Salute to Service college football game between the University of Wisconsin Badgers and the University of Washington Huskies, this initiative aims to educate veterans about their state benefits while celebrating pride, service, and school spirit. 

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Mission: Education, Engagement, and Bragging Rights 
The campaign’s core goal is to drive veterans—especially student veterans—to each department’s website to learn about educational and other state-specific benefits. But make no mistake: this is also about bragging rights. With both departments sharing the WDVA acronym, the hashtags say it all: #TheRealWDVA #BattleForTheW #WDVAvsWDVA #BestWDVA 

Summary Washington State’s Education Benefits for Veterans 

• The State Legislature has authorized state community colleges, colleges and universities to waive ‘all or a portion of tuition and fees’ for eligible veterans or national guard members. 

• Each college or university establishes and operates their own veteran's waiver program so it is best to get in touch with the college or university you plan to attend for details on their program. 

• A list of colleges and universities is available at: https://wsac.wa.gov/colleges-and-institutions-washington 

• Read more about the tuition waiver law 

Summary Washington State’s Education Benefits for Dependents of 100% Disabled Veterans or those who died as a result of military service. 

• The State Legislature requires state community colleges, colleges and universities to waive all undergraduate tuition and fees for eligible dependents of eligible veteran or national guard member up to 200 quarter credits or equivalent semester credits.   

• Waivers for graduate credits are encouraged but not required. 

• Fees include all assessments for costs incurred as a condition to a student's full participation in coursework and related activities at an institution of higher education. 

• A book stipend is provided (if funds are provided by the legislature) to recipients of the dependent’s tuition waiver.  The stipend is intended for textbooks and course materials in the amount of five hundred dollars per academic year.  Funds are divided equally among academic terms and prorated for part-time enrollment. 

• Eligible veteran or national guard member is the same as defined in the tuition waiver law, RCW 28B.15.621. 

LIST OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES

Mental Health Resources  

• WDVA Counseling Program Providers in Washington — Directory of state-supported mental health counselors and programs serving veterans; how to access: refer students to the WDVA Counseling page or contact WDVA for a local provider referral. 
   
• WDVA Suicide Prevention Toolkit — Printable and digital toolkit with prevention guidance, campus outreach materials, and referral steps for faculty/staff; how to access: download from the WDVA suicide prevention resources section. 
   
• Federal VA Vet Centers in Washington — Community-based Vet Centers offering readjustment counseling, group therapy, and outreach for combat-related concerns; how to access: locate the nearest Vet Center and schedule an appointment through the VA Vet Center listings. 
   
• Readjustment Counseling (VA Readjustment Counseling Services) — Individual and group counseling for transition-related issues including PTSD symptoms, reintegration, and employment stress; how to access: refer students to Vet Centers or the VA health system to enroll in readjustment services. 
   
• Bereavement Counseling for Survivors — Specialized support for family members and survivors of veterans; how to access: contact WDVA or local Vet Centers for referrals to bereavement clinicians and support groups. 
   
• Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Counseling — Confidential counseling and treatment services for MST survivors, available through VA and community partners; how to access: refer students to VA MST coordinators, Vet Centers, or WDVA guidance for local MST resources. 
   
• Veterans Crisis Line and Suicide Prevention Resources — 24/7 confidential crisis support for veterans, service members, and loved ones; how to access: use the Veterans Crisis Line (988 then press 1 or the online chat) and the WDVA suicide prevention pages for local follow-up options. 
   
• SAMHSA — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — Federal resources for substance use and mental health treatment, including treatment locators and helplines useful for veteran-specific issues; how to access: use the SAMHSA treatment locator and resources for referral to community providers experienced with veterans. 
   
• Campus-specific veteran support offices and student veteran organizations — On-campus offices that coordinate benefits, counseling referrals, academic accommodations, and peer support; 
   
• Benefits and Claims Support through WDVA — Assistance with VA benefits, claims, and documentation that can reduce stress and financial barriers to care; how to access: schedule a benefits consultation with WDVA benefits staff or use campus certifying officials to connect students. 
  https://dva.wa.gov/veterans-service-members-and-their-families/veterans-benefits/claims-assistance

Education & Benefits Resources 

• Washington Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board Offers guidance on VA-approved schools, GI Bill® benefits, and vocational rehabilitation programs.  
   
• Washington State University – Veterans & Military Affiliated Student Services (VMASS) Provides education benefits assistance, tuition waivers, and campus-specific support across WSU’s six campuses.  
   
• University of Washington Tacoma – Veteran & Military Resource Center (VMRC) Offers VA benefits certification, tuition waivers, and entrepreneurship training through the VIBE program. 
   
• Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) - Offers education benefits, tuition waivers, career services, and transition assistance for veterans across the state.  
   
• GI Bill® Comparison Tool - Find and compare VA-approved programs nationwide, including Washington State institutions.  

• Vet Corps – AmeriCorps Program - Places veteran mentors at colleges and community organizations across Washington to support fellow veterans in their transition to civilian and academic life.  

• Student Veterans of America (SVA) - National organization with local chapters in Washington that advocate for student veterans and offer leadership development, scholarships, and networking. 🔗 SVA National 

• VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) - These organizations are dedicated to helping veterans transition into academic life and succeed in their educational goals. If you're looking for something more specific—like housing, mental health support, or career services—