AN ACT Relating to creating the Washington free to finish college program; amending RCW 28B.76.540; adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

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

(1) "Gift aid" means financial aid received from the federal Pell grant, the state need grant program under chapter 28B.92 RCW, the college bound scholarship program under chapter 28B.118 RCW, the opportunity grant program under chapter 28B.50 RCW, the opportunity scholarship program under chapter 28B.145 RCW, or any other federal or state grant, benefit, or scholarship program that provides funds for educational purposes with no obligation of repayment. Student loans and work study programs are not "gift aid."

(2) "Office" means the office of student financial assistance, as established under chapter 28B.76 RCW.

(3) "Program" means the Washington free to finish college program created in this chapter.

(a) Be a resident of the state, as defined in RCW 28B.15.012(2) (a) through (e);

(b) Not previously earned a postsecondary degree or certificate;

(c) Be enrolled in an institution of higher education, but not enrolled for the past three years prior to the first quarter or semester of reenrollment under the program;

(d) Have no more than fifteen quarter credits or fifteen semester credits remaining in his or her degree or certificate program; and

(e) Submit the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) or the Washington application for state financial aid.

(2) The program shall be administered by the office, which may adopt rules necessary to administer the program.

(3) Subject to the availability of funding, the office shall award grants to students who meet the criteria in subsection (1) of this section for an amount equal to the cost of tuition and fees as defined in RCW 28B.15.020 and services and activities fees as defined in RCW 28B.15.041, less any gift aid received.

(4) The program shall not result in a reduction of any federal or state gift aid.

(1) The number of applicants;

(2) The number of students served;

(3) Program costs;

(4) Participant demographics;

(5) Enrollment status, meaning part time versus full time;

(6) Field of study; and

(7) Any other information deemed relevant.

(2) This section expires August 1, 2021.

Sec. 6.  RCW 28B.76.540 and 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 s 111 are each amended to read as follows:

In addition to administrative responsibilities assigned in this chapter, the office shall administer the programs set forth in the following statutes: RCW 28A.600.100 through 28A.600.150 (Washington scholars); chapter 28B.85 RCW (degree-granting institutions); chapter 28B.92 RCW (state need grant); chapter 28B.12 RCW (work-study); RCW 28B.15.543 (tuition waivers for Washington scholars); RCW 28B.15.760 through 28B.15.766 (math and science loans); RCW 28B.15.100 (reciprocity agreement); RCW 28B.15.730 through 28B.15.734 (Oregon reciprocity); RCW 28B.15.750 and 28B.15.752 (Idaho reciprocity); RCW 28B.15.756 (British Columbia reciprocity); chapter 28B.101 RCW (educational opportunity grant); chapter 28B.102 RCW (future teachers conditional scholarship); chapter 28B.108 RCW (American Indian endowed scholarship); chapter 28B.109 RCW (Washington international exchange scholarship); chapter 28B.115 RCW (health professional conditional scholarship); chapter 28B.119 RCW (Washington promise scholarship); chapter 28B.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 7 of this act)(Washington free to finish college program); and chapter 28B.133 RCW (gaining independence for students with dependents).

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