SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6237
As of January 21, 1998
Title: An act relating to scholarships for foster care children.
Brief Description: Providing scholarships for foster care children.
Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Patterson, Brown, Kohl and McAuliffe.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Higher Education: 1/26/98.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Staff: Jean Six (786-7433)
Background: It has traditionally been very difficult to find adoptive families for foster children between the ages of six to 17.
Summary of Bill: The Chance for the Future program is created to allow the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), through the Advance College Payment plan, to purchase tuition units for a foster child adopted at age six years or older. If sufficient funds are available, the scholarship is for four full years of full-time tuition and fee charges at any state institution of higher education. The student must enroll by the age of 21 or the units are made available to other persons eligible for the program.
The HECB works with the Department of Social and Health Services to notify recipients and the adoptive parents about these scholarship benefits. Also, the HECB may receive private donations to this scholarship program.
Appropriation: $3,111,000.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 19, 1998.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.