FINAL BILL REPORT

                 2SHB 1318

                         C 5 L 95 E1

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for the Washington scholars program.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Carlson, Mulliken and Mastin; by request of Higher Education Coordinating Board).

House Committee on Higher Education

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:  The Washington Scholars Program was created by the Legislature in 1981.  The program annually honors three graduating high school seniors in each legislative district.  Scholars who are selected have distinguished themselves through scholastic achievement, leadership ability and contributions to their communities. 

In 1984, the Legislature began providing Washington scholars attending public colleges and universities with a mandatory waiver of tuition and services and activities fees for undergraduate studies.  In order to receive the waiver, students must enter the  public institution within three years of high school graduation.  Under current law, students who received the award before June 30, 1994, will continue to receive total waivers of tuition and fees. Institutions of higher education have the option of providing full, partial, or no waivers to students who receive the award after that date.

In 1988, the Legislature created a comparable scholarship program for Washington scholars who attend in-state independent colleges and universities.  If funds are available, these scholars may receive a grant of up to the amount of tuition and services and activities fees at the research universities.  The grant is contingent upon an equal matching grant by the independent institution.  Funding for the scholarship has never been increased to keep pace with tuition and fee increases at the research universities.  During the 1994-95 academic year, Washington scholars attending independent institutions receive about $1,872, while scholars attending the University of Washington receive $2,907.

Summary:  With the exception of technical colleges, public colleges and universities are required to waive tuition and services and activities fees for Washington scholars selected before June 30, 1994.  The waiver must be used for undergraduate studies.  Students selected after that date will not receive a waiver.

Scholars selected after June 30, 1994, will receive a grant, if funds are available.    The amount of the grant cannot exceed tuition and fees at the public research universities. The grant must be used for undergraduate studies.  The students may use the grant to attend either a public or independent college or university within the state.  Independent institutions must continue to provide an equal matching grant to recipients attending their institutions.  Scholars may transfer among in-state colleges and universities and continue to receive the grant.  The grants for Washington scholars will be administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     97 0

First Special Session

House     92 0

Senate    43 0

Effective:  July 1, 1995