The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Academic year" is that period of time typically between July 1st and the following June 30th, and may include summer terms, during which a full-time student would normally be expected to complete the equivalent of two semesters or three quarters or 900 clock hours of instruction.

(2) "Agency" refers to the Washington student achievement council (WSAC).

(3) "Apprentice" as defined in WAC 296-05-003 means a person enrolled in a state approved, federally registered, or reciprocally recognized apprenticeship program as defined in WAC 296-05-011.

(4) "Apprenticeship" means an apprenticeship training program approved or recognized by the state apprenticeship council or similar federal entity as defined in WAC 296-05-011.

(5) "Cost of attendance" means the cost associated with attending a particular institution of higher education as determined by the office including, but not limited to, tuition, fees, room, board, books, personal expenses, and transportation, plus the cost of reasonable additional expenses incurred by an eligible student and approved by a financial aid administrator at the student's school of attendance.

(6) "Council" means the 10-member council of the Washington student achievement council.

(7) "Federal foster care system" means the foster care program under the federal unaccompanied refugee minor program, Title 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1522 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

(8) "Financial need" shall be determined as defined in WAC 250-21-010(4) in accordance with industry standards and provisions as recognized and modified by the office.

(9) "Homeless" or "homelessness" means without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence as set forth in the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 11301 et seq., or as amended.

(10) "Institution of higher education" means any institution eligible for and participating in the Washington college grant program.

(11) "Occupational-specific costs" means the costs associated with entering an apprenticeship or preapprenticeship including, but not limited to, fees, tuition for classes, work clothes, rain gear, boots, occupation-specific tools, as defined by the office.

(12) "Office" means the WSAC office of student financial assistance.

(13) "Preapprenticeship" (also known as apprenticeship preparation program) means an apprenticeship preparation program recognized by the state apprenticeship council and as defined in RCW 28C.18.162.

(14) "Program" means the passport to careers program created in chapter 28B.117 RCW.

(15) "Satisfactory academic progress" shall be defined in accordance with WAC 250-21-010(16) and is the student's successful completion of a minimum number of credit or clock hours for each term in which the grant was received.

(16) "State foster care system" means out-of-home care pursuant to a dependency and includes the placement of dependents from other states who are placed in Washington pursuant to orders issued under the interstate compact on the placement of children, chapter 26.34 RCW.

(17) "Student budgets" are determined by institutions of higher education and subject to approval by the office. The student budget consists of that amount required to support an individual as a student for nine months and may take into consideration cost factors for maintaining the student's dependents. Additional adjustment may be needed for varying enrollment periods.

(18) "Tribal court" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 13.38.040.

(19) "Tribal foster care system" means an out-of-home placement under a dependency order from a tribal court.

(20) "Unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness" means a person that meets age requirements of the passport program, is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, and lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

(21) "Verification" means that a student's eligibility for passport has been documented by the department of children, youth, and families (DCYF), department of social and health services (DSHS), office of superintendent of public instruction (OSPI), tribal authorities, the office and/or established through the institution's financial aid office based on appropriate documentation.