SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 5110

BYSenators Gaspard, Bauer, Bailey, Bender, Patterson, Smitherman, Warnke, Saling, Anderson, Zimmerman, Kiskaddon, Rinehart, Garrett, von Reichbauer and Moore

Changing provisions relating to tuition and fee waivers for recipients of the Washington scholars award.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 19, 1987; January 26, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Gaspard, Chairman; Bauer, Vice Chairman; Rinehart, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bender, Craswell, Patterson, Saling, Warnke.

Senate Staff:Marcia Costello (786-7419)

                  April 18, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1981 the Legislature established the Washington State Scholars program to provide recognition for three high school seniors in each legislative district who had outstanding academic records.  In 1984 the Legislature further provided that regional universities, state universities and The Evergreen State College would waive tuition, operating and service and activities fees for two years for recipients attending their respective institutions.

SUMMARY:

Recipients of the Washington Scholars award will receive a four-year tuition and fee waiver (in place of the current two- year waiver) at any regional or state university or The Evergreen State College.  An outdated reporting requirement is repealed.

Community colleges are added to the list of institutions able to offer waivers to Washington scholars.  The amendment specifies that the waivers are applicable only to undergraduate studies.  The grade point average required for maintenance of the waiver is changed to 3.30.  The time limit on applicability of waivers is changed to 12 quarters or eight semesters.

Allowance is made for Washington scholars to transfer among state institutions.

Provision is made for students in the first three quarters or two semesters who fall below the 3.30 grade average to make application to the Higher Education Coordinating Board for probationary status until the grade point average meets the required standards.

Provision is made for current recipients to be covered under the four-year waiver.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Tim Washburn, University of Washington, Director of Admissions; Rainier Hauser, Association of Washington School Principals; Tom Parker, Assistant Vice President, Washington Friends of Higher Education

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

Each year, three seniors graduating from high school and residing in each legislative district are selected as Washington Scholars.

Scholars must maintain a college grade point average of 3.5.  If the student's grade point average falls below 3.5 in the first three quarters or two semesters, the student may petition the Higher Education Coordinating Board for a one semester or two quarter probationary period.  The student is eligible for the tuition and fee waiver during the probationary period.

If a recipient declines the waiver of tuition and fees, the waiver may be used by a nominee from the same legislative district who was not selected.  The Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt rules to implement this procedure.