AN ACT Relating to an educational achievement program; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The higher education coordinating board shall develop and administer a Washington state higher education achievement pilot program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The higher education coordinating board shall appoint a planning committee to develop criteria for screening candidates for selection to receive awards under the Washington state higher education achievement pilot program.

(2) The planning committee shall be of such size as determined by the higher education coordinating board but shall include members representing the higher education coordinating board, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the state board of education, high school principals, high school teachers, high school counselors, public institutions of higher education, public vocational-technical institutes, and other state agencies, including the commission on Asian-American affairs, the governor's office of Indian affairs, and the Washington state commission on Hispanic affairs, and private organizations interested in providing higher education opportunities for selected high school graduates.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The names of graduating high school students who have been identified and recommended by teachers, counselors, or principals shall be submitted to the higher education coordinating board not later than March 1, 1989.

(2) In selecting the recipients for awards under the Washington state higher education achievement pilot program, the higher education coordinating board shall consider, but not be limited to, the following factors:

(a) Whether the student meets the definition of "targeted ethnic minority" pursuant to RCW 28B.102.020(9);

(b) Whether the student meets the definition of "needy student" pursuant to RCW 28B.10.802(3);

(d) Whether the student shows potential for succeeding academically in an institution of higher education: PROVIDED, That academic qualifications shall not be the sole criteria for selection.

(3) The higher education coordinating board may select up to fifty students for the duration of the Washington state higher education achievement pilot program to receive awards under the pilot program, and shall make such selections not later than May 1, 1989.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The awards under the Washington state higher education achievement program shall consist of the waiver of tuition and service and activities fees for a maximum of six quarters or four semesters at the state community colleges, the state research universities, the state regional universities, and The Evergreen State College, or shall consist of the waiver of fees for a maximum of six quarters or four semesters at the state public vocational-technical institutes.

(2) Students may transfer among the state institutions of higher education during the period of the pilot program and the waiver of tuition and services and activities fees shall continue in such cases of transfer: PROVIDED, That the institution to which the student transfers shall be responsible for the waiver of tuition and services and activities fees.

(3) Recipients of awards under the Washington state higher education achievement pilot program shall maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.50. Should the student's cumulative grade point average fall below 2.50 during the first three quarters or two semesters, that student may petition the higher education coordinating board which shall have the authority to establish a probationary period until such time as the student's grade point average meets the required standard.

(4) To qualify for the waivers provided under subsection (1) of this section, recipients shall enter the institution of higher education or the public vocational-technical institute within two years of high school graduation: PROVIDED, That if the student enters the institution of higher education or the public vocational-technical institute beginning with the 1991-92 school year, the student shall be eligible to receive the waiver pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, and pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, through the 1992-93 school year.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The boards of regents and trustees of the community colleges, the regional universities, the research universities, and The Evergreen State College, and the boards of directors of the public vocational-technical institutes shall waive tuition and service and activities fees, and fees, respectively, pursuant to the provisions of section 4 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The provisions of RCW 28B.15.740 shall not apply to sections 4 and 5 of this act for the duration of the pilot program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Upon request of public and private sources of scholarships, and with student permission, the higher education coordinating board shall provide the names of students who are recommended but not selected, as well as the names of students who are selected to receive awards under the Washington state higher education achievement pilot program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The higher education coordinating board shall report to the legislature by January 1, 1992, on the results of the Washington state higher education achievement pilot program and include in the report any recommendation regarding the continuation or expansion of the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. This act shall expire January 15, 1992.