SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1417

BYRepresentatives Heavey, Doty, Jacobsen, Van Luven, Anderson, Kremen, O'Brien, Locke, Moyer, Miller, Schoon, Betrozoff, D. Sommers, Ferguson, Wineberry, P. King, Wood, R. King, Sprenkle and Basich; by request of Higher Education Coordinating Board

Establishing the educational opportunity grant program.

House Committe on Higher Education

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 23, 1989; March 27, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Bauer, Cantu, Smitherman, Stratton, von Reichbauer.

Senate Staff:Shawn Newman (786-7784)

                  March 28, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, MARCH 27, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In the process of creating its master plan for higher education, the Higher Education Coordinating Board found that a substantial number of citizens living in the state's urban areas do not have access to a state-supported college or university.  For a variety of reasons, many of these citizens are unable to move to the areas where the state baccalaureate institutions are located. Included among these "placebound" citizens are students who have completed their Associate of Arts degree at a community college.

Although some of the urban areas studied by the board have independent colleges or universities located within them, tuition rates are significantly higher than at state institutions.  In order to give some students the choice of attending either an independent or state college, the University of Washington, in its "Plan to Expand Upper-Division and Graduate Programs in the Puget Sound Region" recommended the creation of a tuition voucher system. The program recommended would assist 150 juniors and seniors per year wishing to attend a state or independent institution of their choice.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board endorsed the University's recommendation.  The board requested the introduction of legislation that would implement a pilot program for upper-division, placebound students living in the central Puget Sound or Yakima areas.

SUMMARY:

The Educational Opportunities Grant Program is created as a demonstration project.  The program will help financially needy, placebound students residing in the Puget Sound and Yakima areas complete their baccalaureate degrees.  Eligible students must be residents of the state, and must have completed the Associate of Arts degree, or its equivalent.

The program will be administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board.  The board will develop rules and guidelines for the program, and select program participants.  Participants may attend any state or independent Washington institution of higher education that is accredited by an organization recognized by the board.

The maximum grant available to each student is $2,500 per year.  The grant must not exceed the participant's financial need.

During the 1990-91 academic year, if funds are appropriated, 150 grants will be available to students residing in Snohomish, King, Pierce or Kitsap Counties.  Fifty grants will be available to the residents of Yakima County.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Language is added to clarify that priority will be given to residents of the central Puget Sound and Yakima County for the 1990-1991 demonstration project.  Language is also added expressing the Legislature's intent that nothing shall prevent or discourage an individual from making an effort to repay any state financial aid.  An appropriation of $548,214 is added.

Senate Committee - Testified: Ann Daley, Higher Education Coordinating Board