HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1800

BYHouse Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Basich, Miller, Bristow, Heavey, Baugher, K. Wilson, Dellwo, Grant, Ballard, Unsoeld, Locke, Brooks, Barnes, Holland, Hine, Anderson, Sayan, Rasmussen and Ferguson)

Providing grants to Washington state scholars attending independent colleges or universities.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Barnes, Basich, Fox, Jesernig, Miller, Nelson, Prince, Silver, Unsoeld and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Majority Report:  The substitute bill by Committee on Higher Education be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair, Belcher, Brekke, Bristow, Butterfield, Ebersole, Grant, Grimm, Hine, Holland, McLean, Nealey, Silver, H. Sommers, Spanel, Sprenkle, Wang and B. Williams.

House Staff:      Bill Robinson (786-7142)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 13, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In 1981, the Legislature established the Washington State Scholars Program to recognize three outstanding high school seniors in each legislative district.  Students are chosen on the basis of their academic records, leadership skills, and community service efforts.  In 1984, the Legislature authorized the state institutions of higher education to waive tuition and services and activities fees for two years for Washington Scholars.  That waiver was extended to four years of undergraduate work by the 1987 session of the Legislature.

In order to qualify for the waiver, a Washington Scholar must enter a state institution of higher education within three years of high school graduation, and must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.30 or the equivalent. If a student's cumulative grade point average falls below a 3.30 during the freshman year, the student may petition the Higher Education Coordinating Board for probationary status. The Board has the authority to establish that probationary period, lasting until the student's grades meet the required standards.

SUMMARY:

Washington Scholars who attend an in-state independent college or university may receive a grant from the state, if funds are available.  The amount of each grant will not exceed annual tuition and services and activities fees rates for a full-time undergraduate at the research universities.  The grant must be matched equally by the independent institution with either money or a waiver of fees.  Students are eligible to receive the grant for a maximum of twelve quarters or eight semesters of undergraduate work.  Theology students are not eligible for the grant.

Students are permitted to transfer among independent institutions of higher education with the grant.  If students transfer to a state college or university, they will be entitled to receive a tuition waiver for the remainder of their period of eligibility.  If students from a state college or university transfer to an independent institution, they will be entitled to a grant for the remainder of their period of eligibility.  The total grants or waivers for any one student will not exceed twelve quarters or eight semesters of undergraduate study.

In order to qualify for the waiver, a Washington Scholar must enter an independent college within three years of high school graduation, and must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.30 or the equivalent.  If a student's cumulative grade point average falls below a 3.30 during the first year, the student may petition the Higher Education Coordinating Board for probationary status.  The Board has the authority to establish that probationary period, lasting until the student's grades meet the required standards.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board is directed to adopt rules for disbursing the grants.  A definition of "independent college or university" is included.  In addition, the purposes of the Washington Scholar Program are revised to include providing grants at in-state independent colleges and universities.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Higher Education)  James Van Beek, Pacific Lutheran University; George Mills, University of Puget Sound.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  Tom Parker, Friends of Higher Education.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Higher Education)  Bob Waldo, Council of Presidents; Steve Pulkkinen, Washington Education Association.

(Ways & Mean/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Higher Education)  Often, students remain in the state where they attend college.  This program will help retain some of the state's brightest students in Washington colleges and universities.  With the advent of tuition waivers for Washington Scholars attending state colleges and universities, the number of Scholars attending independent institutions declined dramatically.  This bill permits Washington Scholars to attend the college or university of their choice within the state without penalizing them for choosing a college in the independent sector.  It creates equitable and fair educational opportunities for these outstanding students.  Independent institutions are required to equally match state funds for eligible students.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  Same as in Higher Education Committee.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Higher Education)  Public colleges and universities are horribly underfunded.  This legislation diverts money needed by the public colleges into independent colleges.  In addition, the bill may well have constitutional problems.  The advent of this program is premature; the Higher Education Coordinating Board is currently studying tuition and financial aid policies, and plans to complete its study this year.  The legislation may have the undesirable effect of fostering competition between public and private colleges; and has a significant fiscal impact.  It is in the best interest of the state to keep students in public institutions of higher education.

(Ways & Means Appropriations)  None Presented.