BILL REQ. #:  H-3639.1 

Read first time 01/27/14.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to an informational program to increase applications from high-achieving low-income high school students to selective institutions of higher education; adding a new section to chapter 28B.77 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes that each year a large number of high-achieving students from low-income families do not apply to a selective college or university, even though they would have a good chance of acceptance and success. At the same time, high-achieving students from high-income families are very likely to apply to selective colleges and universities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28B.77 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The council shall design and implement a program that provides information to high-achieving, low-income high school students through the mail, customized for each student, with the purpose of increasing the number of applications from this group of students to selective four-year institutions of higher education and independent, nonprofit baccalaureate degree-granting institutions in the state.
     (2) For the purposes of designing, developing, and implementing the program, the council shall:
     (a) Partner with a national entity that offers aptitude tests that predict college success;
     (b) Consult with four-year institutions of higher education and independent, nonprofit baccalaureate degree-granting institutions with physical locations in the state; and
     (c) Seek opportunities for shared costs and resources with the entities in (a) and (b) of this subsection and develop agreements with these entities.
     (3) The council shall identify high-achieving students based on national aptitude test scores that predict college success. Scores on AP, running start, and other dual credit programs may also be considered if students do not take national aptitude tests.
     (4) The council shall identify low-income students based on eligibility for free or reduced-price lunches.
     (5) The main component of the program is to mail a customized information packet to high-achieving, low-income students. The packet must include at a minimum:
     (a) Materials that help students to choose colleges;
     (b) An application guidance booklet;
     (c) A nontransferable application fee waiver that qualifies each student receiving a packet to apply for up to eight selective colleges without paying application fees;
     (d) Information on college affordability and financial aid that includes customized information on the net cost of attendance for each four-year institution of higher education and each nonprofit baccalaureate degree-granting institution, and customized information on merit and need-based aid from federal, state, and institutional sources; and
     (e) A personally addressed cover letter signed by the governor and the president of each four-year institution of higher education and nonprofit baccalaureate degree-granting institution in the state.
     (6) The council shall provide each student with a personal password to access a web site where the information contained in the mailed packet, customized to the student, can be accessed.
     (7) The council shall work with a third-party evaluator to provide an evaluation of the program and make recommendations for improvement.
     (8) The council shall implement the program no later than fall 2015, giving consideration to spring mailings in order to capture early action decisions offered by institutions of higher education and nonprofit baccalaureate degree-granting institutions.