SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5966

                    As of February 20, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the Washington award for vocational excellence.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to the Washington award for vocational excellence.

Sponsors:  Senators Bauer and Kohl.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/27/95.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff:  Jean Six (786-7423)

Background:  In 1984, the Washington State Legislature established the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) to recognize students who excel in vocational technical education.  The WAVE may be awarded to up to three vocational technical students, at least two of whom should be graduating high school students, in each legislative district.  The recipient must enter postsecondary education within three years of receiving the award.  Award recipients, named before June 30, 1994, are entitled to tuition and fee waivers for a maximum of six quarters or four semesters of undergraduate study at a public Washington technical college, community college, four-year college or university of their choice.

WAVE award winners selected after June 30, 1994, who choose to attend in-state public colleges and universities, are eligible to receive a waiver of tuition and fees for two years of undergraduate studies.  However, the governing board of the institution has the option of providing full, partial, or no waiver to the student.

Summary of Bill:  Students named as recipients of the WAVE award after June 30, 1994, are eligible to receive a cash grant for two years of undergraduate study while attending a licensed private vocational school, an in-state independent college or university, or any public institution of higher education in Washington.  The cash grant is available if the money is appropriated to the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to be distributed for this purpose.  An individual cash grant must not exceed, on a yearly basis, the yearly fulltime resident undergraduate tuition and services and activities fees in effect at the state-funded research universities.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 17, 1995.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.