COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Rep. Don Carlson, Republican Co-Chair and

 Rep. Phyllis Kenney, Democratic Co-Chair

BILL ANALYSIS C SB 5514

Brief Description:  Changing Washington award for vocational excellence provisions.

Background:

In 1984, the Legislature created the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) scholarship program.  Through the award program, up to three students who demonstrate outstanding performance in occupational training programs are selected from each legislative district.

The recipient may use the grant to attend any institution of higher education, independent college or university or a licensed private vocational school.  The students may use their grants for tuition and service and activities fees.  To qualify for the two-year grants the recipients must enter an institution of higher education within three years of high school graduation.  The program is administered by the Workforce Training and Coordinating Board.

Current statutes do not provide a time limit on when recipients must complete use of the scholarship grant.  This lack of a time limit has created difficulties for administrators in determining a student's eligibility for the grant.  The lack of a completion date has also made it difficult for the administrative agency to provide budget projections on the amount of grant funding needed for future scholarships.

Summary:

Individuals who receive their award during the 1998-99 academic year must use their award within six years.

Individuals who received their award before the 1995-96 academic year must use the award by September 2002.

Recipients who received their award in the 1995-96, 1996-97 or 1997-98 academic years must use their award by September 2005.  Recipients who fail to use their award within these time limits will forfeit their award.

Prepared for the House Higher Education Committee

by Marilee Scarbrough, Counsel (786-7196)

Office of Program Research

March 19, 1999