HB 1131-S.E - DIGEST
(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Declares an intent to create the passport to college promise program that will have two primary components, as follows: (1) Significantly increasing outreach to foster care youth between the ages of fourteen and eighteen regarding the higher education opportunities available to them, how to apply to college, and how to apply for and obtain financial aid; and

(2) Providing financial aid to former foster care youth to assist with the costs of their public undergraduate college education.

Creates the passport to college promise program. The purpose of the program is: (1) To encourage current and former foster care youth to prepare for, attend, and successfully complete higher education; and

(2) To provide current and former foster care youth with the educational planning, information, institutional support, and direct financial resources necessary for them to succeed in higher education.

Requires the higher education coordinating board to design and, to the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, implement, a program of supplemental scholarship and student assistance for students who have emancipated from the state foster care system after having spent at least one year in care.

Directs the higher education coordinating board, in consultation with and with assistance from the state board for community and technical colleges, to perform an annual analysis to verify that those institutions of higher education at which students have received a scholarship under this section have awarded the student all available need-based and merit-based grant and scholarship aid for which the student qualifies.

Provides that, to the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, the department of social and health services, with input from the state board for community and technical colleges, the higher education coordinating board, and institutions of higher education, shall contract with at least one nongovernmental entity through a request for proposals process to develop, implement, and administer a program of supplemental educational transition planning for youth in foster care in Washington state.

Requires the higher education coordinating board to report to appropriate committees of the legislature by January 15, 2008, on the status of program design and implementation.

Requires the state board for community and technical colleges and the higher education coordinating board to monitor and analyze the extent to which eligible young people are increasing their participation, persistence, and progress in postsecondary education, and shall jointly submit a report on their findings to appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2009, and by December 1, 2011.

Requires the Washington state institute for public policy to complete an evaluation of the passport to college promise pilot program and shall submit a report to appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2012. The report shall estimate the impact of the program on eligible students' participation and success in postsecondary education, and shall include recommendations for program revision and improvement.