5734-S AMH WALL SMIT 182

SSB 5734 - H AMD TO WAYS COMM AMD (H-3287.1) 771

By Representative Wallace

WITHDRAWN 4/22/2009

    On page 2, after line 34 of the striking amendment, insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  (1) The higher education coordinating board, in coordination with higher education stakeholders, shall review options and make recommendations on a tuition policy that allows flexibility, accessibility, and differentiation among Washington's various public baccalaureate tuition rates. Recommendations shall support the implementation of the strategic master plan for higher education including consideration of policies that address student access, equity, and academic quality.

    (2) The board shall examine policies that couple higher tuition with higher institutional need-based financial aid; differential tuition rates based on family income; differential tuition rates based on institutional mission, campus, credit hours, academic program and delivery method; and policies that encourage collaboration and coordination among institutions of higher education and that facilitate co-enrollment among multiple institutions, including enrollment in online learning courses.

    (3) Each option shall be assessed in terms of administrative feasibility, interactions with and implications for state and federal financial aid tuition programs, and impacts on students of different income levels.

    (4) The board shall report its findings and recommendations to the governor and to the appropriate committees of the legislature by November 1, 2009."

    Correct the title.

EFFECT: Requires the HECB to convene a group of stakeholders to examine tuition policy. The HECB must examine the "high tuition, high aid" model and charging differential tuition based on income, institutional mission, academic program, credit load, and delivery method. The merit of these tuition policies must be assessed based on administrative feasibility, interactions with federal programs, and impacts on students. The HECB must report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by November 1, 2009.       

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