AN ACT Relating to Washington scholars program; amending RCW 28A.58.822 and 28B.15.543; adding new sections to chapter 28B.15 RCW; repealing RCW 28B.80.245 and 28B.80.246; repealing section 3, chapter 210, Laws of 1988 (uncodified); and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 28B.15 RCW to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout sections 2 and 3 of this act.

(1) "State institution of higher education" means colleges and universities defined in RCW 28B.10.016.

(2) "Independent college or university" means a private, nonprofit educational institution with its main campus permanently situated in the state, that is open to residents of the state, provides programs of education beyond the high school level leading at least to the baccalaureate degree, and is accredited by the northwest association of schools and colleges as of the effective date of this act, and other institutions that are approved by the higher education coordinating board as meeting equivalent standards.

Sec. 2. Section 2, chapter 54, Laws of 1981 as last amended by section 4, chapter 210, Laws of 1988 and RCW 28A.58.822 are each amended to read as follows:

There is established by the legislature of the state of Washington the Washington state scholars program. The purposes of this program annually are to:

(1) Provide for the selection of three seniors graduating from high schools in each legislative district who have distinguished themselves academically among their peers.

(2) Maximize public awareness of the academic achievement, leadership ability, and community contribution of Washington state public and private high school seniors through appropriate recognition ceremonies and events at both the local and state level.

(3) Provide a listing of the Washington scholars to all Washington state public and private colleges and universities to facilitate communication regarding academic programs and scholarship availability.

(4) Make available a state level mechanism for utilization of private funds for scholarship awards to outstanding high school seniors.

(5) Provide, on written request and with student permission, a listing of the Washington scholars to private scholarship selection committees for notification of scholarship availability.

(6) Permit a ((~~waiver of tuition and services and activities fees~~)) scholarship program for Washington scholars as provided for in RCW 28B.15.543 ((~~and grants under RCW 28B.80.245~~)).

Sec. 3. Section 2, chapter 465, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28B.15.543 are each amended to read as follows:

((~~The boards of regents and trustees of the regional universities, state universities, The Evergreen State College, and the community colleges shall waive tuition and service and activities fees for~~)) Recipients of the Washington scholars award under RCW 28A.58.820 through 28A.58.830 holding the award on or after the effective date of this act may receive scholarships under this section for undergraduate studies. The higher education coordinating board shall award scholarships to eligible students under this section from moneys appropriated for this purpose. The individual scholarships shall not exceed for each year, the annual, full-time, resident, undergraduate tuition and service and activities fees in effect at the state-funded research universities. All scholarships awarded by the board in any particular year shall be equal in amount, regardless of the institution of higher education attended by the student. The higher education coordinating board shall establish procedures, by rule, to distribute the scholarships to the Washington scholars award recipients. To qualify for the ((~~waiver~~)) scholarship, recipients shall enter ((~~the~~)) a state institution of higher education or independent college or university in this state within three years of high school graduation and maintain a minimum grade point average ((~~at the college or university~~)) in postsecondary studies equivalent to 3.30. Students shall be eligible for ((~~waivers~~)) the scholarships for a maximum of twelve quarters or eight semesters and may transfer among state institutions of higher education and independent colleges or universities, and between state institutions and independent colleges or universities during that period and continue to ((~~have the tuition and services and activities fees waived by the state institution of higher education that the student attends~~)) maintain eligibility for the scholarship. Should the student's cumulative grade point average fall below 3.30 during the first three quarters or two semesters, that student may petition the higher education coordinating board which shall have the authority to establish a probationary period until such time as the student's grade point average meets required standards.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 28B.15 RCW to read as follows:

No scholarship shall be awarded under this act to any student who is pursuing a degree in theology.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:

(1) Section 1, chapter 210, Laws of 1988 and RCW 28B.80.245;

(2) Section 2, chapter 210, Laws of 1988 and RCW 28B.80.246; and

(3) Section 3, chapter 210, Laws of 1988 (uncodified).

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The sum of .......... dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the higher education coordinating board for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, to carry out the purposes of this act.