Senator Mike Hewitt (R-Walla Walla) has introduced a bill in the state legislature that would require Washington colleges and universities to waive costs for spouses and children of active-duty and National Guard members killed, disabled, captured or missing in action, according to a Seattle Times article.

Essentially, anyone who loses a spouse or parent to military conflict does not have to pay tuition costs at all state colleges.

Hewitt’s bill has been approved in both the House and Senate. If it passes, Washington will join 28 other states that have military tuition waivers.

While Hewitt’s proposal is sound in theory, we’re left wondering how such a system would work.

The most pressing issue is where the money would come from. The likeliest solution, the one we’re the most leery of, is to raise tuition prices for the rest of college students.

Even if the funding for this proposal didn’t come from students’ pockets, it has to come from somewhere. While there’s no doubt military families are deserving of extra help, there are many other people in Washington who could also use it.

Many University students have had to cope with the tragedy of losing a parent; this is a circumstance not exclusive to children of military personnel.

Other Washington families deal with smaller personal battles on a daily basis. A single mother of three, who works full-time at the local supermarket to feed her kids, could probably also use a helping hand. Saving for college is not an option for many people.

The plain and simple fact of the matter is that college is expensive for everyone, but it is not impossible to afford. Students who come from difficult economic situations learn to balance work and school, and student loans are always an option.

We just hope that state lawmakers keep in mind the rest of Washington’s struggling families as well.