FINAL BILL REPORT

                 2SHB 1661

                         C 159 L 99

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Creating Washington scholars‑alternates awards.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Higher Education (Originally sponsored by Representatives Edmonds, Carlson, Kenney, Kagi, Esser, Wood, Lantz and Ogden).

House Committee on Higher Education

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

The Washington Scholars program was established by the 1981 Legislature.  The program purposes include:  recognizing and honoring the accomplishments of three high school seniors from each legislative district; encouraging and facilitating privately-funded scholarship awards; and stimulating recruitment of outstanding students to Washington public and independent colleges and universities.  High school principals nominate the top one percent of the graduating senior class based upon academic accomplishments, leadership, and community service.

Scholars may receive a grant for undergraduate study at Washington public or independent colleges and universities.  Renewal each year is contingent upon maintaining a 3.30 GPA.  The state grant for scholars attending independent schools is contingent upon the institution's agreement to match the award with either money or a tuition waiver.  The maximum yearly grant amount is limited to the full-time, resident, undergraduate tuition and fees at the University of Washington.  For 1998-99, the maximum grant amount is $3,396. 

The total appropriation for the Washington Scholars program for the 1997-99 biennium is $2,276,000.  This appropriation level reflects a usage pattern of about 65 percent, meaning that typically about 65 percent of Washington scholars choose to enroll in Washington schools and use their scholarships. 

Summary:

The Washington Scholars program is modified to include the identification of one Washington scholars-alternate from each legislative district, beginning in the year 2000.  The alternate is in addition to the three Washington scholars currently identified.  Recipients of the Washington scholars' awards who, after receiving their awards in the spring, do not demonstrate in a timely manner that they will use their grants to enroll in a Washington state college or university during the subsequent fall term or who withdraw from college during their first year lose their grants.  The forfeited grants may be awarded to the Washington scholars-alternate from the same legislative district.  Washington scholars-alternates who receive grants must also demonstrate in a timely manner that they will enroll in a Washington college or university during the next available term.  The Higher Education Coordinating Board administers the program and may grant waivers to the enrollment requirements based on exceptional mitigating circumstances.

Votes on Final Passage:

House930

Senate480

Effective:July 25, 1999