FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1769

                                  C 290 L 89

BYRepresentatives Fraser, Jacobsen, Heavey, H. Myers, Inslee, Prince, Wood, Jesernig, Spanel, Ebersole, Rector, Van Luven and Schoon

Allowing student exchange programs with institutions in other states.

House Committe on Higher Education

Senate Committee on Higher Education

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Washington law permits colleges and universities to waive all or a part of tuition and fees for students participating in certain exchange programs or exchange agreements.  Students from Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia, who are selected by their institution to participate in reciprocal tuition agreements that Washington has entered into with their state or province, are exempt from the tuition differential normally charged to non-resident students.

Foreign students participating in academic exchange programs at four-year institutions of higher education may have all tuition and fees waived.  The number of foreign student waivers granted by a college or university must not exceed the number of students from that institution attending college in a foreign country as part of an approved study abroad program.

Foreign students attending community college and participating in academic exchanges or in special programs recognized through formal agreements between states, cities, or institutions, may have the non-resident portion of their tuition waived.  The number of waivers granted by a community college must not exceed the number of that institution's own students enrolled in approved study abroad programs.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature recognizes the value of expanding opportunities for Washington students to attend schools in other states through student exchange programs.

The state four- year universities and college may enter into student exchange programs with comparable public four-year colleges and universities in other states.  Participating institutions may waive the non-resident tuition differential for undergraduate, upper-division students from other states.

The number of exchange students receiving non-resident tuition waivers at a given Washington institution must not exceed the number of students from that institution receiving non-resident tuition waivers at participating out-of- state institutions.  Waiver imbalances occurring in one year must be off-set in the next year.  In addition, a student's participation in the exchange program is limited to one calendar year.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 98   0

      Senate    45     0 (Senate amended)

      House 97   0 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989