SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6142
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. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Higher Education & Workforce Development, February 4, 2020
Title: An act relating to creating the Washington common application.
Brief Description: Creating the Washington common application.
Sponsors: Senators Liias, Randall, Dhingra, Hasegawa, Mullet, Nguyen, Stanford, Carlyle and Wilson, C.; by request of Lieutenant Governor.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 1/16/20, 2/04/20 [DPS-WM].
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6142 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Randall, Chair; Stanford, Vice Chair; Holy, Ranking Member; Brown and Liias.
Staff: Alicia Kinne-Clawson (786-7407)
Background: Higher education institutions in Washington have authority to determine individual admissions policies and procedures. Some state systems, such as the University of California, have adopted a single systemwide undergraduate application for admission. Alternatively, some colleges and universities have opted-in to nationally recognized and standardized college application tools such as the Common App or the Coalition Application.
College application fees for prospective students range from $50 to $80 at public colleges and universities in Washington State. Most institutions make application fee waivers available to students, with variability in income level required to obtain the waiver, and different processes for applying for the waiver.
Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill (First Substitute): Subject to amounts appropriated specifically for this purpose, the public four-year higher education institutions are required enroll in the same preexisting online application. The application must:
include more than 500 institutional participants; and
have an established fee waiver process for low-income students.
The public four-year higher education institutions are permitted to also adopt a second preexisting online common application as long as it has at least 100 institutional participants and includes a fee waiver process for low-income students.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (First Substitute):
Eliminates the creation of the Washington unified application.
Requires the public baccalaureates to adopt a preexisting online common application by 2022-23 with at least 500 participants and makes this requirement subject to appropriations.
Allows a public baccalaureate to also adopt a preexisting common application with at least 100 participants.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 4, 2020.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Proposed Substitute: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: These policies are ideas that can remove non-financial barriers to higher education and create equitable privilege. They have all been tested in other states. If someone goes to Wellesley or Columbia they do not have to fill out a separate application, they can apply to both through the common app. In our state you have to fill out an application for each college which is largely redundant. This may be prohibitive for students that do not have access to coaching and mentoring. This is designed to support the student in applying to more than one institution without the time and hoops required under current practices. Some barriers to access to higher education for first generation students include both the fees and ease of access in applying. This bill makes that process simpler. Institutions that adopt the common app have seen increases in applications and admissions. There are significant benefits to students including simplifying the application process and the fee waiver process. I have always wanted to go to college but I struggled to find the funds to apply. I generally finished applications right at the deadline because in addition to school I work. In addition to each application I had to navigate separate applications for fee waivers. I appreciate that this bill would streamline that.
OTHER: The community and technical college system have a uniform application that they have used for years. We are supportive of the intent but want to find a solution to make this workable for our higher education partners. We are currently a member of the coalition app and our concerns on this bill are addressed if participation in that meets the requirements of the bill. We wholeheartedly agree with the intent of this bill and simplifying this process. You can apply to CWU in 15 minutes on your phone. We have increased applications for underrepresented student groups. We would be willing to participate in the coalition app or the common app. A lot of our concern is around the Washington unified application and the costs there. We want to make sure we can do this right.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Marko Liias, Prime Sponsor; Michelle Jimenez, Student, Washington World Fellows; Cyrus Habib, Office of the Lieutenant Governor; Mary Chikwinya, Director of Higher Education, Office of the Lieutenant Governor. OTHER: Scott Copeland, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; Joe Dacca, University of Washington; Steve DuPont, Central Washington University; Paul Francis, Council of Presidents; Juliette Schindler Kelly, College Success Foundation.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.