Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Higher Education Committee

HB 2002

Brief Description:  Allowing state financial aid to be used at Washington branch campuses of accredited out‑of‑state institutions of higher education.

Sponsors:  Representatives Kessler, Kenney and McIntire.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Allows state financial aid to be used at a qualified branch of an out-of-state institution.

Hearing Date:  2/21/01

Staff:  Tracey Taylor (786‑7196).

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 (HEC Board).  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 separately accredited member of any accrediting association recognized by the HEC Board..

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 Bill: 

State financial aid may be used at a branch of an institution that is a member of an accrediting association recognized by the HEC Board, 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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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