HB 1840-S - DIGEST
(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Creates the Washington promise program to help make the first two years of college affordable and accessible by offering a tuition waiver for eligible students enrolled in associate degree or certificate programs offered by community and technical colleges.

Requires the office of student financial assistance to administer the program for resident students seeking an associate's degree or certificate from a community or technical college.

Requires the state board for community and technical colleges to develop a plan to provide program students who are enrolled at a community or technical college with a quarter-long student success course, during or before their first enrollment period, that teaches essential skills for college success.

Requires the student achievement council, in collaboration with the state board for community and technical colleges, to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the program.

Requires the caseload forecast council to estimate the anticipated caseload of the program and include the information in the official state caseload forecast.

Revises the definition of "caseload," for purposes of the caseload forecast council, to include the number of students who are eligible for the program and are expected to attend a community or technical college.