Brief Description: Expanding higher education tuition waivers to include certain certificated instructional staff.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Hobbs, McAuliffe, Fairley, Weinstein, Marr, Shin, Oemig, Fraser, Kline, Regala, Rasmussen, Tom, Kohl-Welles and Haugen).

Senate Committee on Higher Education
House Committee on Higher Education
House Committee on Appropriations

Background: Washington State institutions of higher education may waive all or a portion of tuition, services, and activity fees for state employees. "State employees" are defined as permanent classified state employees; state, county, or municipal employees governed by the chapter on collective bargaining; permanent classified and exempt paraprofessional employees at technical colleges; and faculty, counselors, librarians, and exempt professional and administrative employees at institutions of higher education.

The employees are enrolled on a space available basis and are charged only $5 per class as a registration fee. Their enrollment information is not included in official enrollment reports.

Summary: Teachers and certified instructional staff employed at public common and vocational schools are eligible for a waiver of all or a portion of their tuition, services, and activity fees. This waiver is available only for teachers and instructional staff and is limited to those holding or seeking an endorsement or assignment in a state-identified shortage area.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      43   0
House      97   0   (House amended)
Senate      45   0   (Senate concurred)

Effective:   July 22, 2007