The Washington College Grant (WCG) is the state's largest financial aid program and provides grants to low-income students to pursue postsecondary education. The WCG is an entitlement program administered by the Washington Student Achievement Council with guaranteed grants for students who qualify. To qualify, a student must:
The maximum WCG award covers tuition, and services and activities fees, for 15 quarter credits or the equivalent at the state's public institutions. A student is eligible to receive the WCG for five years or up to 125 percent of the published length of the student's program.
A student is eligible to receive the WCG for six years or up to 150 percent of the published length of the student's program or the credit or clock-hour equivalent.
(In support) This bill fixes the gap between state and federal aid by aligning the eligibility timeline with the Pell Grant. Some students receive the WCG and the Pell Grant, but at year five the WCG stops while the Pell Grant continues. This leads to students dropping out or taking on more debt, and to students who end up with debt but no degree.
Only 19 percent of students nationally actually receive a credential within four years. For over three decades, national degree-granting agencies have measured success within six years. Older students, students at community and technical colleges, low-income and working students, first-generation students, and students taking care of family need extra time to earn credentials. Students also need extra time after experiencing an unforeseen disruptive event during college, such as an illness. Further, this bill will allow students more time to engage with their educational community and successfully enter their chosen fields.
This bill reduces the burden on administrators because they will no longer have to apply two different standards and ensures Washington gets a better return on investment.
(Opposed) None.