SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5522
As of February 6, 2023
Title: An act relating to adding a stipend to the Washington college grant program.
Brief Description: Adding a stipend to the Washington college grant program.
Sponsors: Senators Liias, Nobles, Hasegawa, Hunt, Lovelett, Nguyen, Randall, Salda?a, Valdez and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 2/08/23.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Creates a $1,200 book and material stipend for Washington College Grant recipients who are eligible for the maximum Washington College Grant award.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Staff: Alicia Kinne-Clawson (786-7407)
Background:

Washington College Grant. The State Need Grant was modified in 2019, and renamed the Washington College Grant (WCG).  The WCG is the state's largest financial aid program, and provides awards to low-income students to pursue postsecondary education.  The WCG is an entitlement program with guaranteed awards for those students who qualify.  The WCG award amount varies based on the institution the student attends and the student's family income.  For example, for students attending the state's public institutions, the maximum award is tuition and services and activities fees for 15 quarter credit hours or the equivalent.  For students attending private, four-year, not-for-profit higher education institutions, in 2019-20 the maximum award was $9,739.  An eligible student may receive a WCG for five years or up to 125 percent of the published length of the student's program.  Part-time students receive prorated awards.

 

Bridge Grant.  In the 2022 supplemental operating budget state funding was provided for a Bridge Grant of $500 for WCG recipients receiving the maximum award. A student is eligible for the Bridge Grant if the student receives the maximum WCG award and does not receive the College Bound Scholarship. The Grant is an annual stipend awarded in addition to the WCG to provide supplementary financial support to low-income students to cover higher education expenses beyond tuition and fees, such as books, lab fees, supplies, technology, transportation, housing, and childcare.

Summary of Bill:

Beginning in the 2023-24 academic year, WCG recipients who qualify for the maximum award are eligible to receive a book and material stipend of up to $1,200 annually. Stipend amounts may be adjusted annually for inflation as measured by the consumer price index.

Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 3, 2023.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.