BILL REQ. #:  S-0484.1 

Read first time 02/06/2003.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to the educational opportunity grant program; and amending RCW 28B.101.005, 28B.101.010, 28B.101.020, and 28B.101.040.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 28B.101.005 and 1990 c 288 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     The legislature finds that many individuals in the state of Washington have attended college and received an associate of arts or associate of science degree, or ((its)) the equivalent, but are placebound.
     The legislature intends to establish an educational opportunity grant program for placebound students who have completed an associate of arts or associate of science degree, or ((its)) the equivalent, in an effort to increase their participation in and completion of upper-division programs.

Sec. 2   RCW 28B.101.010 and 1990 c 288 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     The educational opportunity grant program is hereby created ((as a demonstration project)) to serve placebound financially needy students by assisting them to obtain a baccalaureate degree at public and private institutions of higher education ((which have the capacity to accommodate such students within existing educational programs and facilities)) approved for participation by the higher education coordinating board.

Sec. 3   RCW 28B.101.020 and 1990 c 288 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) For the purposes of this chapter, "placebound" means unable to ((relocate to)) complete a college program because of family or employment commitments, health concerns, monetary inability, or other similar factors.
     (2) To be eligible for an educational opportunity grant, applicants must be placebound residents of the state of Washington as defined in RCW 28B.15.012(2) (a) through (d), who: (a) Are needy students as defined in RCW 28B.10.802(3); and ((who)) (b) have completed the associate of arts or associate of science degree or ((its)) the equivalent. A placebound resident is one who may be influenced by the receipt of an enhanced student financial aid award to ((attend an institution that has existing unused capacity rather than attend a branch campus established pursuant to chapter 28B.45 RCW)) complete a baccalaureate degree at an eligible institution. An eligible placebound applicant is further defined as a person ((whose residence is located in an area served by a branch campus who, because of family or employment commitments, health concerns, monetary need, or other similar factors,)) who would be unable to complete ((an upper-division)) a baccalaureate course of study but for receipt of an educational opportunity grant.

Sec. 4   RCW 28B.101.040 and 2002 c 186 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     Grants may be used by eligible participants to attend any public or private college or university in the state of Washington that is accredited by an accrediting association recognized by rule of the higher education coordinating board for the program and that ((has an existing unused capacity. Grants shall not be used to attend any branch campus or educational program established under chapter 28B.45 RCW)) complies with eligibility criteria established by rule of the higher education coordinating board. The participant shall not be eligible for a grant if it will be used for any programs that include religious worship, exercise, or instruction or to pursue a degree in theology. ((Each participating student may receive up to two thousand five hundred dollars per academic year, not to exceed)) Grant amounts shall be established by the higher education coordinating board taking into account such factors as cost of attendance, the student's demonstrated financial need for the course of study((. Resident students as defined in RCW 28B.15.012(2)(f) are not eligible for grants under this chapter)), and the availability of other grant assistance. Grants shall be at least two thousand five hundred dollars per academic year.