HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5166
As Passed House ‑ Amended:
March 7, 2002
Title: An act relating to branches of member institutions of accrediting associations recognized by rule of the higher education coordinating board.
Brief Description: Allowing state financial aid to be used at Washington branch campuses of accredited out‑of‑state institutions of higher education.
Sponsors: By Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl‑Welles, Carlson, Horn, Shin, Jacobsen and McAuliffe).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Higher Education: 2/13/02, 2/22/02 [DP];
Appropriations: 2/27/02, 3/4/02 [DPA].
Floor Activity:
Passed House ‑ Amended: 3/7/02, 94-0.
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Brief Summary of Substitute Bill (As Amended by House) |
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$Allows state financial aid to be used at a qualified branch of an out-of-state institution. The qualifying institutions must have provided classroom instruction for at least 20 years in Washington State and have a minimum 700 full time students enrolled.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Kenney, Chair; Fromhold, Vice Chair; Cox, Ranking Minority Member; Chase, Dunn and Jarrett.
Staff: Antonio Sanchez (786‑7383).
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Doumit, 1st Vice Chair; Fromhold, 2nd Vice Chair; Sehlin, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Buck, Cody, Cox, Dunshee, Grant, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Linville, Lisk, Mastin, McIntire, Pflug, Ruderman, Schual‑Berke, Talcott and Tokuda.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Boldt, Clements and Pearson.
Staff: Laurie Schaffler (786‑7143).
Background:
Under current law, state student financial aid may be used at any public university, college, community college or vocational-technical institute operated by the state or any political subdivision. The aid can also be used at any other university, college, school or institute in Washington offering post-secondary instruction so long as the school is a member of an accrediting association recognized by the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB). In order for an institution, branch, extension or facility affiliated with an institution from outside of Washington to be eligible to accept state financial aid, it must be a separately accredited member of any accrediting association recognized by the HECB.
State Work Study may be used at any post-secondary institution in Washington accredited by the Northwest Association of School and Colleges as well as any public technical college in this state.
As the result of the current requirements, there are several branch campuses of out-of-state institutions ineligible for state financial aid.
Summary of Amended Bill:
State financial aid can be used by students attending a branch of an institution that is a member of an accrediting association recognized by the HECB, is eligible for federal financial aid, and has operated as a nonprofit college or university delivering on-site classroom instruction in Washington for a minimum of 20 consecutive years and have enrollments of at least 700 full time students. -
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: (Higher Education) This bill will allow for a diversification of higher education options in this state and provide low-income students with the assistance they need to complete their education.
Testimony For: (Appropriations) The bill is cheap and fair for the citizens of Washington. It enables Washington state residents attending branch campuses of out of state institutions to participate in state financial aid programs.
Testimony Against: (Higher Education) None.
Testimony Against: (Appropriations) None.
Testified: (Higher Education) Senator Kohl-Welles, prime sponsor; Bruce Botka, Higher Education Coordinating Board; Mel Jackson, Carson Marshall, Alicia Nunnery, and Dennis Eagle, Antioch University-Seattle; and Russ Carver, Washington Student Lobby.
Testified: (Appropriations) Dennis Eagle, Antioch University Seattle; and Bruce Botka, Higher Education Coordinating Board.