HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1000

BYRepresentatives Jacobsen, Allen, Prince, P. King and Wineberry

Increasing the limitation on tuition and fee waivers.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Allen, Jesernig, Miller, Nelson, Prince, Silver, Unsoeld, K. Wilson and Wineberry.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (3)

      Signed by Representatives Heavey, Vice Chair; Barnes and Basich.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION MARCH 4, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1979, the Legislature consolidated various tuition waiver programs, then authorized the four-year institutions of higher education to grant tuition waivers totaling up to four percent of the total amount of tuition collected from students.  The community colleges were also entitled to waive up to four percent of their total tuition collections.  In 1980, the Legislature reduced the community colleges' waiver authority to three percent of tuition collected, but allowed the colleges to continue to waive tuition for students attending high school completion courses without counting those students within the three percent waiver limitation.

Seventy-five percent of the waivers granted under this authority must be used for needy resident students.  The other twenty-five percent may be used for any resident or nonresident students, except students participating in intercollegiate athletics.

SUMMARY:

The governing boards of the four-year universities and college may grant tuition waivers totaling up to six percent of their total tuition collections.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 20, 1987.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Steve Swartz, Associated Students of the University of Washington.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Higher education is becoming increasingly expensive.  Available financial aid is not keeping pace with increases in tuition and other educational expenses.  With the magnitude of tuition increases facing students during the next few years, some students will be squeezed out of the educational system without help.  Tuition waivers are easy to administer and are one of the best forms of financial aid.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.