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.
Washington College Grant. Beginning with academic year 2023-24, the following WCG income eligibility thresholds and award amounts apply:
| Median Family Income (MFI) | Award Amount |
| 0-70 percent of state MFI | maximum award |
| 71-80 percent of state MFI | 50 percent of maximum award |
| 81-90 percent of state MFI | 25 percent of maximum award |
| 91-100 percent of state MFI | 10 percent of maximum award |
Bridge Grants. Bridge grants are annual stipends provided in addition to the WCG to provide supplementary financial support to low-income students to cover higher education expenses beyond tuition and fees.
Beginning with the 2023-24 academic year, WCG recipients who are receiving a maximum WCG award are also entitled to receive a bridge grant.
The bridge grant award amounts are as follows:
The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: This opens doorways to opportunities to ensure were growing to the strongest possible future for our community. The pandemic showed our workforce challenges are growing. Underrepresented families continued to get pushed to the margins. Everything that can be done to invest in those furthest from access and opportunity is to the benefit of everyone. Every Washingtonian should have the opportunity to improve their socioeconomic status. Increasing the eligibility for the maximum reward up to 70 percent of the MFI and providing bridge grants will ensure equity. The increase of this grant is vital to support low-income students. Accessing a post-secondary credential without outstanding debts will allow students to excel in their lives. This is an investment in students, families, and businesses. This is a light for those looking to raise families out of poverty. Thirteen-thousand more people will receive this grant through this bill. Recognizing the rising costs, this positions more students to be more successful pursuing their dreams. The current grant has the benefit cliff. A small increase in income can cost students thousands in tuition. This should be more like a Pell Grant with a smooth phase out instead of a cliff.
PRO: Cost is a significant barrier to higher education. The college grant/bridge grant program extends access to higher education to students without the means. An increasing number of jobs require college degrees, yet Washington does not have the necessary assistance programs to help students achieve these degrees. If college is required to be a working adult and functioning member of Washington’s democracy, it needs to be accessible to everyone.