Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
College & Workforce Development Committee |
HB 1311
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning college bound scholarship eligible students.
Sponsors: Representatives Bergquist, Ortiz-Self, Stonier, Dolan, Frame, Paul, Ryu, Sells, Valdez, Lekanoff, Stanford, Leavitt, Thai and Wylie.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/23/19
Staff: Megan Mulvihill (786-7304).
Background:
College Bound Scholarship Program.
The College Bound Scholarship (CBS) program was established in 2007 to provide guaranteed four-year tuition to students from low-income families. The first CBS awards were granted to the graduating high school class of 2012. Eligible students for the CBS include those who:
qualify for free or reduced-price lunches in the seventh grade; or
are dependent from parents or guardians, or are receiving extended foster care services; and
are in grades 7 through 12; or
are between the ages of 18 and 21 years and have not graduated from high school.
In the seventh grade, students become eligible for the CBS and are notified of their eligibility and the requirements for award of the scholarship. To be eligible to receive the CBS, a student must sign a pledge during the seventh or eighth grade that includes a commitment to graduate from high school with at least a C average and no felony convictions.
To receive the CBS, the student must graduate high school having fulfilled the CBS pledge requirements. Upon graduation, the student's family income will be assessed, and if it does not exceed 65 percent of the state median family income (MFI), the student will receive a scholarship.
The CBS recipients that attend public two-year or four-year institutions of higher education receive an award to cover the cost of tuition and fees, minus any state-funded grant, scholarship, or waiver assistance, plus $500 for books and materials. CBS recipients that attend private institutions receive an award based on the average award students at the corresponding public institution would receive. The student must maintain satisfactory academic progress and may not receive the scholarship for more than four full-time years.
State Need Grant.
The State Need Grant (SNG) is the state's largest financial aid program and grants are awarded to students based on financial need. A student may receive a grant if their family income does not exceed 70 percent of state MFI. In the state budget, students eligible for the CBS who have family incomes in the 0–65 percent MFI range must be prioritized for the SNG and awarded the maximum SNG for which they are eligible.
Summary of Bill:
Beginning in the 2019-20 academic year, a student may qualify for the CBS program if he or she is eligible for free or reduced-price lunches in the ninth and tenth grades, but was previously ineligible during the seventh or eighth grade while a Washington student.
Under the SNG program, the Student Achievement Council must prioritize need grants based on CBS eligibility as follows:
Eligible students whose MFI is in the 0–70 percent MFI range must be prioritized and awarded the maximum SNG for the institution the student attends.
Eligible students whose MFI is in the 70-100 percent MFI range must be prioritized and awarded a SNG no less than the SNG award given to SNG recipients in the 70 percent MFI range for the institution the student attends.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 18, 2019.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.