SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5904
As of January 12, 2024
Title: An act relating to extending the terms of eligibility for the Washington college grant program, Washington college bound scholarship program, passport to college promise program, and passport to apprenticeship opportunities program.
Brief Description: Extending the terms of eligibility for financial aid programs.
Sponsors: Senators Nobles, Hansen, Dhingra, Frame, Hasegawa, Kuderer, Liias, Lovelett, Nguyen, Randall, Stanford, Trudeau, Valdez and Wilson, C.; by request of Student Achievement Council.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 1/12/24.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Extends eligibility for awards under the Washington College Grant, College Bound Scholarship, and Passport to Careers programs from five years or 125 percent of the published length of the student's program, to six years or 150 percent of the published length of the student's program.
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. An eligible student may receive a WCG for five years or up to 125 percent of the published length of the student's program. 

 

College Bound Scholarship. The College Bound Scholarship (CBS) program was established in 2007 to provide guaranteed four-year tuition to students from low-income families.  To receive the CBS, a student must graduate from high school with at least a C grade point average, have no felony convictions, and have a family income that does not exceed 65 percent of the state median family income.  The student must maintain satisfactory academic progress and may not receive the scholarship for more than four full-time years.

 

Passport to Careers. The Passport to Careers program is comprised of the Passport to College and Passport to Apprenticeship grant programs. These programs serve former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth. The total award an individual may receive must not exceed the equivalent amount that would have been awarded for the individual to attend a public university for five years with the highest annual tuition and state-mandated fees. 
Summary of Bill:

A student is eligible to receive an award under the WCG, CBS, Passport to College, or Passport to Apprenticeships for six years or up to 150 percent of the published length of the student's program, or the credit or clock-hour equivalent.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 5, 2024.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.