SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 5215

BYSenators Saling, Bauer, West, Smitherman, Lee, Fleming and Rinehart; by request of Governor

Authorizing financial aid to needy students enrolled on at least a half-time basis.

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1989; February 8, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended and be referred to Senate Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Bauer, Cantu, Smitherman, Stratton, von Reichbauer.

Senate Staff:Sandra Farrow (786-7608); Jean Six (786-7423)

                  February 14, 1989

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 1, 1989; March 2, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Newhouse, Owen, Saling, Smith, Williams.

Senate Staff:Linda Brownell (786-7715)

                  April 13, 1989

House Committe on Higher Education

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 13, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Current law provides that state financial aid may only be given to needy students who are enrolled on a full-time basis at an institution of higher education.  The state financial aid consists of several different programs.  Some of these include state need grant money, work study, future teachers scholarships, math/science loans, nursing loans and aid to the blind.  State need grants may be renewed for three additional academic years beyond the first year of the award.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board, in its 1988 study of financial aid in Washington, recommended state financial aid be made available to students enrolled at least half-time at an institution of higher education.

The board also recommended increasing the number of additional years in which the state need grants can be renewed from three years beyond the first year of the award to four years (five years total).

SUMMARY:

State financial aid may be granted to students enrolled at least half-time at an institution of higher education.

State need grants are increased from four academic years to five.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: HIGHER EDUCATION: No one

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS: Ann Daley, Higher Education Coordinating Board (pro); Stephanie Adams and Elizabeth Woody, Washington Student Lobby (pro); Tammy Flemming and Greg Anderton, Western Washington University (pro); Mike Bigelow, Office of Financial Management (pro)

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

Beginning with the 1989-91 budget state appropriations for student financial aid are adjusted from 24 to 35 percent of any change in revenue occurring as a result of revisions in tuition and fee levels.  Appropriations resulting from the percentage increase after the effective date of this section shall be used for the state need grant program.