SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5999
As of January 9, 2024
Title: An act relating to expanding financial aid eligibility.
Brief Description: Expanding financial aid eligibility.
Sponsors: Senators Hansen and Nobles.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 1/12/24.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Increases eligibility for the maximum Washington College Grant (WCG) award up to 70 percent of median family income.
  • Modifies WCG awards for students between 71 and 100 percent of median family income.
  • Entitles WCG students who are receiving the maximum WCG award, but who are not College Bound Scholarship recipients, to a bridge grant, which is an additional annual stipend for expenses beyond tuition and fees.
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 and the 2023-25 biennial 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:

Washington College Grant. The WCG income eligibility thresholds and award amounts apply:

Median Family Income (MFI)Award Amount
0-70 percent of state MFImaximum award
71-80 percent of state MFI50 percent of maximum award
81-90 percent of state MFI25 percent of maximum award
91-100 percent of state MFI10 percent of maximum award

 
Bridge Grants.  Bridge Grants are $500 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.


WCG recipients who are receiving a maximum WCG award are also entitled to receive a Bridge Grant, except those who are also College Bound Scholarship recipients.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 9, 2024.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.