S-4412               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 6697

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Senators Fleming, Garrett and Talmadge

Read first time 2/1/88 and referred to Committee on  Education.

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 purpose of this act is to provide socially and economically disadvantaged students, and students from underrepresented groups, with an increased chance to improve their social and economic status through public higher educational opportunities.  In addition, this act promotes cooperation between the state, public colleges and universities, the public school system, and private organizations interested in increasing higher educational opportunities for high school graduates in working toward the goals of the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The Washington state higher education achievement pilot program is hereby created.  The higher education coordinating board shall administer the Washington state higher education achievement pilot program.  The program shall be developed cooperatively with the superintendent of public instruction, the association of Washington school principals, and other state agencies and private organizations interested in higher education opportunities for Washington state high school graduates.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The higher education coordinating board shall appoint an advisory committee to develop criteria for screening and selection of the Washington state higher education achievement program awards.  The advisory committee shall include persons from selected state agencies and private organizations having an interest in higher educational opportunities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     On or before March 1, 1989, the names of graduating senior high school students who have been identified and recommended by teachers, counselors, or school principals shall be submitted to the higher education coordinating board.

          In selecting the recipients the higher education coordinating board shall consider factors, including, but not limited to:

          (1) Family income;

          (2) Whether the candidate is from an underrepresented group; and

          (3) Whether the candidate shows a potential for succeeding in an institution of higher education.

          Academic qualifications shall not be the sole criteria for selection.  Selection is not intended to be an academically competitive process.

          Up to fifty students shall be selected from the list of names submitted by teachers, counselors, and school principals.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     The boards of regents and trustees of the regional universities, state universities, and The Evergreen State College shall waive tuition and service and activities fees for two years for recipients of the Washington state higher education achievement program award.  To qualify for the waiver, recipients shall enter the community college, college, university, or public vocational institute within three years of high school graduation.  Students shall be eligible for waivers for a maximum of six quarters or four semesters and may transfer among state institutions of higher education during that period and continue to have the tuition and services and activities fees waived by the state institution of higher education that the student   attends.

          Recipients shall maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5.  Students in the first three quarters or two semesters who fall below the 2.5 grade point average will have probationary status until the grade point average meets the required standards.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.     The higher education coordinating board shall provide, on written request and with student permission, a listing of the award recipients to private scholarship selection committees for notification of scholarship availability.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7.     The higher education coordinating board may accept gifts, grants, and bequests from private funding sources for scholarship 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 1991 on the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9.     This act shall expire February 1, 1991.