HB 1140-S2 - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Revises higher education financial aid provisions in accordance with the recommendations of the higher education coordinating board after review of the state need grant program.

     Declares an intent of the legislature to endorse the board's proposed changes to the state need grant program, including:  (1) Reaffirmation that the primary purpose of the state need grant program is to assist low-income, needy, and disadvantaged Washington residents attending institutions of higher education;

     (2) a goal that the base state need grant amount over time be increased to be equivalent to the rate of tuition charged to resident undergraduate students attending Washington state public colleges and universities;

     (3) state need grant recipients be required to contribute a portion of the total cost of their education through self-help;

     (4) state need grant recipients be required to document their need for dependent care assistance after taking into account other public funds provided for like purposes; and

     (5) institutional aid administrators be allowed to determine whether a student eligible for a state need grant in a given academic year may remain eligible for the ensuing year if the student's family income increases by no more than a marginal amount.