Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Higher Education Committee |
HB 1880
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Including Everett Community College as an aerospace training or educational program.
Sponsors: Representatives Springer, Haler, Reykdal, Hargrove, Pollet, Zeiger, Moscoso, Scott, Tarleton and Sells.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 2/13/15
Staff: Megan Mulvihill (786-7304).
Background:
The Aerospace Training Student Loan Program.
The Aerospace Training Student Loan Program provides low-interest student loans to students enrolled in an authorized aerospace training or educational program who are making satisfactory academic progress and have declared an intention to work in the aerospace industry. The loan amounts are not to exceed tuition and fees, which is $2,400 a training module, and recipients may receive funding for up to three training modules. The interest rate of the loan is fixed at the Federal Stafford Direct Loan program interest rate which for 2014-15 academic year was 4.66 percent. Current authorized aerospace training and educational programs include the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center, the Spokane Aerospace Technology Center, and Renton Technical College.
According to the Student Achievement Council's report to the legislature regarding the program, as of October 15, 2014, 519 people submitted applications for the loan and 326 applicants received the loan. Of those 326 people, 220 are in repayment status. An employment survey was sent out to recipients of the loan and of the 108 respondents, 85 percent are employed, but only 48 percent of those employed are working in the aerospace industry.
Everett Community College offers skills-oriented certificates and Associates in Technical Arts degrees in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. The programs's time commitments range from one quarter to two years.
Summary of Bill:
Everett Community College is added to the list of providers of aerospace industry courses for the purposes of defining an aerospace training or educational program.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on 2/03/15.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.