SB 5902-S - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 3/16/99)

     Finds that the higher education coordinating board, in consultation with the higher education community, has completed a review of the state need grant program.

     Declares an intent 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 be equivalent to one hundred percent of tuition charged to resident 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.