HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5166
As Reported by House Committee On:
Higher Education
Appropriations
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: 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].
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Brief Summary of Substitute Bill (As Amended by House Committee) |
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$Allows state financial aid to be used at a qualified branch of an out-of-state institution.
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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).
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 Substitute 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 10 consecutive years. This would include: Antioch, Chapman, Embry-Riddle, Linfield Park, Southern Illinois University and Columbia College.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: 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 Against: None.
Testified: 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.
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).
Summary of Recommendation of Committee On Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee On Higher Education:
Out-of-state institutions of higher education operating branch campuses in the state of Washington must have been operating in the state for a minimum of 20 years instead of 10. These institutions must have enrollments totaling 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: 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: None.
Testified: Dennis Eagle, Antioch University Seattle; and Bruce Botka, Higher Education Coordinating Board.