AN ACT Relating to higher education; adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature hereby declares the importance of expanding educational opportunities for needy Washington residents who are underrepresented in the higher education system. Through utilization of the higher education resources of the independent colleges and universities, it is hereby the intent of the legislature to provide a cost-effective method of providing access to higher education to identified student categories underrepresented in the higher education system who have high financial need. The independent colleges and universities, most of which are located in or near major urban population centers or in regions not served by public institutions of higher learning, have programs which are highly successful in helping students complete their academic goals. In addition, because of an average student faculty ratio of sixteen to one, the independent colleges and universities are able to address both the special academic and support service needs of underrepresented student populations. The legislature further finds that the present expansion of the kindergarten through twelfth grade student population will soon place even greater demands on the public four-year institutions of higher learning which have enrollments already at or slightly above the number of students the institutions are capable of handling. The intent of the legislature is to provide a program which will provide these underrepresented students with a cost-effective access to higher education.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Board" means the higher education coordinating board.

(2) "Resident" means a Washington state resident as defined in RCW 28B.15.011 through 28B.15.015.

(3) "Needy student" means a financially needy or disadvantaged student as defined in RCW 28B.10.802.

(4) An "independent college or university" means a private, nonprofit educational institution, the main campus of which is permanently situated in the state, open to residents of the state, providing programs of education beyond the high school level leading at least to the baccalaureate degree, and accredited by an accrediting association recognized by rule of the board.

(5) "Underrepresented student classifications" means student groups identified by the board through analysis of enrollment data to be underrepresented in the higher education system in relation to their percentage of the state's total population.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The board shall analyze enrollment data to determine which student populations are underrepresented in the four-year public and independent institutions of higher education in this state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Applicants are eligible for an education equalization grant, if funds are available, to attend an independent college or university if:

(1) They are Washington residents;

(2) They are needy or disadvantaged students;

(3) They are academically qualified;

(4) They agree to enroll full time;

(5) They maintain satisfactory progress once enrolled; and

(6) They are not pursuing a degree in theology.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The grant may provide up to fifty percent of the student's cost of education but may not exceed the per student instructional subsidy awarded Washington residents enrolled at Washington State University as determined by the higher education coordinating board. The grants shall be awarded directly to the student.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The board shall adopt rules to carry out this chapter. Before adopting the rules, the board shall consult with a panel comprised of five representatives of independent institutions of higher education. The five shall include at least one financial aid administrator, one admissions director, and one representative from a campus minority affairs office and shall be selected by the independent colleges and universities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. There is hereby appropriated to the higher education coordinating board from the state general fund the sum of five hundred thousand dollars or so much thereof as may be necessary for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, to carry out the purposes of this act. Of this amount, not more than thirty thousand dollars may be used by the higher education coordinating board for administrative costs in carrying out its duties under this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Sections 1 through 6 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 28B RCW.