SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5004

As of January 27, 2003

Title: An act relating to the Hispanic American endowed scholarship program.

Brief Description: Establishing the Hispanic American endowed scholarship program.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Fairley, Kastama and Kohl-Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Higher Education: 1/27/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Staff: Jean Six (786-7423)

Background: According to population statistics, Hispanic Americans comprise approximately 7.5 percent of Washington's population, a number which is higher than the 6.1 percent of about six years ago. Hispanics have passed Blacks as the nation's largest minority group. Hispanic American students participate in greater numbers in lower division courses than in upper division courses and are represented in greater numbers in community colleges than in four-year institutions.

In 1990, the Legislature created the American Indian Endowed Scholarship Program. The scholarships are funded through the earnings on an endowment created when $50,000 in private donations are matched with an equal amount of state funds.

Summary of Bill: The Hispanic American Endowed Scholarship Program is established. The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) administers the program. Its powers and duties are described to include, but not be limited to, establishing both an advisory and a screening committee; selecting scholarship recipients; and soliciting and accepting grants and donations from public and private sources for the program.

Criteria for eligibility include familiarity with the educational and cultural needs of the Hispanic community; financial need; full-time resident student status at an institution of higher education in Washington; and a commitment to use one's education to benefit Hispanic Americans.

The criteria developed by the HECB and the advisory committee for selecting scholarship recipients should give priority to upper division or graduate students and to those majoring in programs in which expertise is needed by the state's Hispanic Americans.

The endowment and trust funds are established. Upon raising $50,000 in private donations, matching trust funds may be requested by the board to be deposited into the endowment fund.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.