SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 1587

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, MARCH 29, 1993

Brief Description:  Helping single parents obtain a higher education.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Ogden, Wood, J. Kohl, Jacobsen, Forner, Quall, Ludwig, Pruitt, Jones, Basich, King, Johanson, Thibaudeau, R. Meyers, Kessler, Bray, Dorn, Karahalios, Roland, Eide, Sheldon, Kremen, Finkbeiner, Veloria, Morris, Hansen, Leonard, Van Luven, H. Myers and L. Johnson)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Bauer, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Jesernig, Prince, Quigley, Sheldon, von Reichbauer, and West.

Staff:  Jean Six (786‑7423)

Hearing Dates: March 19, 1993; March 29, 1993

BACKGROUND:

According to a study commissioned by the Rockefeller Foundation, single parent college students have a variety of financial and other needs.  These include money for tuition, books, basic living expenses, basic health care, safe and affordable child care, and housing. 

Washington provides financial assistance to needy students, including single parents, through a variety of programs.  These programs attempt to cover each student's educational costs, but are normally based on the needs profile of an average student.  If a financial aid package is not sufficient to cover a student's financial needs, the student must request additional funds from the institution's financial aid office.  Often, the office does not have enough money to cover those extra expenses, so the student must accept a loan, find additional work, or manage without additional funds.

At most colleges and universities, a basic financial aid award may include a minimal grant for child care.  Since the fall of 1990, the state need grant program has provided a child care grant of $400 per year for full-time students and $200 per year for part-time students.  The federal Pell grant also provides some child care assistance.  However, financial aid administrators report that these amounts, while helpful, will cover about one-half the child care costs needed for one child during an academic year.  These two financial aid programs are the only programs that recognize the costs associated with child care.

SUMMARY:

When determining financial aid awards from the 2.5 percent long-term loan fund, institutions of higher education will give second priority to needy single parents.  The awards are intended to assist single parents with their educational expenses, including expenses associated with child care and transportation.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Single parents face many unique barriers when attempting to obtain higher education.  By helping them to complete a college or university education, society is making a wise investment.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Ogden, prime sponsor