Background:

The Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center was established in 2010 and is located on Paine Field in Everett. Offerings include customized training programs, as well as certificate programs. This center is operated by Edmonds Community College pursuant to a contract with the Aerospace Futures Alliance.

The Spokane Aerospace Technology Center is scheduled to open in 2011 and will be located at the Spokane International Airport. This center will offer various training programs, including the Spokane Community Colleges' aviation maintenance program.

The Aerospace Futures Alliance of Washington (Alliance) is an aerospace association of large and small aerospace companies. The Alliance is a nonprofit corporation.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board provides strategic planning, coordination, monitoring, and policy analysis for higher education. It also administers various state and federal financial aid programs.

Summary:

The Aerospace Training Student Loan Program (Loan Program) for eligible students at certain aerospace training or educational programs is established.

An aerospace training or educational program (training program) is a course in the aerospace industry offered by the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center or the Spokane Aerospace Technology Center. The training program must have an advisory committee that includes at least one member representing aerospace employers and at least one member from organized labor representing aerospace workers.

An eligible student is one who is registered for a training program. An eligible student also must be making satisfactory progress as defined by the training program and have a declared intention to work in the aerospace industry in Washington.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board (Board) is required to administer the Loan Program, which must be designed in consultation with representatives of aerospace employers, aerospace workers, and the training programs.

The Board has the following powers and duties:

to select and screen eligible students to receive student loans, in coordination with representatives of the training programs;
to consider an eligible student's financial need;
to issue low-interest student loans;
to establish an annual loan limit equal to training costs minus other financial aid;
to define repayment terms;
to collect and manage repayments;
to solicit and accept grants and donations for the program; and
to adopt rules.

The Board is authorized to award student loans to eligible students from available funds. The student loans may not exceed one year of tuition and fees.

The Aerospace Training Student Loan Account (Account) is created. Appropriations are required for administrative costs, but not for student loans. All moneys received for the Loan Program must be deposited into the Account. The Account must be self-sustaining. Expenditures may be used solely for student loans and administrative costs.

The Board, in collaboration with the training programs, must submit reports regarding the Loan Program to the Governor and appropriate legislative committees by December 1 of each year. Annual reports must describe the design and implementation of the Loan Program. Annual reports also must include information about applicants, participants, and jobs in which participants are placed.

House	80	16
Senate	47	0