SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1293
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As of March 21, 2017
Title: An act relating to eliminating the parent or guardian approval requirement for the college bound scholarship pledge.
Brief Description: Concerning witnessing a student's college bound scholarship pledge when efforts to obtain a parent's or guardian's signature are unsuccessful.
Sponsors: House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Ortiz-Self, Caldier, Stonier, Doglio, Orwall, Senn, Tarleton, McBride, Gregerson, Kagi, Jinkins, Santos, Pollet, Bergquist, Kilduff, Young and Frame).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/27/17, 92-4.
Committee Activity: Higher Education: 3/23/17.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION |
Staff: Clint McCarthy (786-7319)
Background: The College Board Scholarship (CBS) Program was established in 2007 to provide guaranteed four-year tuition to students from low-income families. The first CBS awards were granted to the graduating high school Class of 2012. Eligible students for the CBS include those who:
qualify for free or reduced-price lunches in the seventh grade; or
are dependent from parents or guardians, or are receiving extended foster care services; and
are in grades 7 through 12; or
are between the ages of 18 and 21 years and have not graduated from high school.
Beginning in the seventh grade, eligible students are notified of their eligibility and the requirements for award of the scholarship. To be eligible to receive the CBS, a student must sign a pledge during seventh or eighth grade that includes a commitment to graduate from high school with at least a C average and no felony convictions. The pledge must be witnessed by a parent or guardian and forwarded to the Office of Student Financial Assistance (Office). If the student is a dependent, the student is automatically enrolled without any necessary action by the student or the student's family.
To receive the CBS, the student must graduate with at least a C average from a public high school, approved private high school, or have received home-based instruction. The student cannot have a felony conviction and must be a resident student. Upon graduation, the student's family income will be assessed, and if it does not exceed 65 percent of the state median family income, the student will receive a scholarship.
The CBS recipients that attend public two-year or four-year institutions of higher education receive an award to cover the cost of tuition and fees, minus any state-funded grant, scholarship, or waiver assistance, plus $500 for books and materials. The student must maintain satisfactory academic progress and may not receive the scholarship for more than four full-time years.
Summary of Bill: The individuals requiring notification of eligibility for the CBS is expanded to include the students' parents or guardians. Beginning in the 2017-18 academic year, the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is directed to make multiple attempts to secure the signature of the student's parent or guardian for the purpose of witnessing the pledge. If the signature is not obtained, WSAC may partner with the school counselor or administrator to secure the parent or guardian's signature. Once the counselor or administrator have made multiple attempts to secure the parent or guardian's signature, the school counselor or administer may witness the pledge. All attempts to contact the parent or guardian must be documented and maintained in the student's official file.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.