SENATE BILL REPORT

                  2SHB 1661

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Higher Education, March 31, 1999

                  Ways & Means, April 5, 1999

Title:  An act relating to the Washington scholars program.

Brief Description:  Creating Washington scholars‑alternates awards.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Edmonds, Carlson, Kenney, Kagi, Esser, Wood, Lantz and Ogden).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  3/24/99, 3/31/99 [DP-WM].

Ways & Means:  4/2/99, 4/5/99 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

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

  Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Finkbeiner, Horn, Jacobsen, McAuliffe, Sheahan and B. Sheldon.

Staff:  Risa Sandler (786-7708)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Loveland, Chair; Bauer, Vice Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Fairley, Fraser, Honeyford, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Long, McDonald, Rasmussen, Rossi, B. Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Thibaudeau, West, Winsley and Zarelli.

Staff:  Karen Barrett (786-7711)

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 1 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.  In 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 of Bill:  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.  If the recipients of the Washington scholars' awards, after receiving their awards in the spring, do not demonstrate in a timely manner that they will be using their grants to enroll in a Washington state college or university during the subsequent fall term or if they withdraw from college during their first year, then they 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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Higher Education opportunities for students will be expanded.  More students will be encouraged to stay in Washington.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Carolyn Edmonds, prime sponsor; Bruce Botka, Higher Education Coordinating Board.