SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 1726

                             AS OF MARCH 20, 1991

Brief Description:  Including certain tribally controlled colleges in definitions of institutions of higher education.

SPONSORS:House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Spanel, Jacobsen, Kremen, Ogden, Prince, R. Johnson, Braddock and Wineberry).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff:  Scott Huntley (786‑7421)

Hearing Dates:March 27, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Current law limits the types of institutions of higher education that needy students may attend and still receive state funded student financial aid.  Under the state need grant program, needy students who attend state funded colleges, universities, community colleges and vocational-technical institutes may receive need grants.  Needy students attending other institutions that are members of an accrediting association recognized by the Higher Education Coordinating Board may also receive need grants.  The board recognizes the following accrediting associations: the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, the Association of Independent Colleges and Schools, the Cosmetology Accrediting Commission and the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools.

Students participating in the state work study program must attend either a public vocational-technical institute or an institution that is accredited by the Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools.  The association is now called the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.

Students participating in conditional and endowed scholarship programs must attend an institution that is accredited by an association recognized by the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Students attending the Northwest Indian College are not eligible to participate in state financial aid programs.  The college is not yet accredited.  It is a candidate for accreditation with the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.  Students attending the college may participate in federal financial aid programs.

SUMMARY:

Needy students attending certain tribally controlled colleges may be eligible to participate in various state funded financial aid programs.  These programs include the state need grant, state work study, future teachers conditional scholarship, nurses conditional scholarship, and American Indian endowed scholarship programs.  The tribally controlled college attended by the student must meet the requirements of Public Law 95-471.  The college must also be established by a Washington State Indian tribe, and must be approved to administer federal Title IV financial aid.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested March 19, 1991