To the extent that sufficient funds have been appropriated for this purpose, a student is eligible for the passport scholarship, which functions similar to a grant program, if he or she:
(1) Has, or is expected to have, emancipated from foster care in Washington state on or after January 1, 2007, after having spent at least one year in foster care subsequent to his or her sixteenth birthday;
(2) Is a Washington state resident student as defined in RCW
28B.15.012(2);
(3) Is admitted to, or enrolled in, an eligible degree or certificate program.
To recognize cases where a lack of college preparation exists, the aid administrator may, for up to one academic year, consider the otherwise eligible student for the passport scholarship based upon an institutionally documented educational pathway that leads to an eligible degree or certificate.
For example, a documented pathway can include prerequisites that must be met before admission to a degree or certificate program, or a short term course that connects to a degree or longer certificate program.
(4) Is enrolled or will enroll with an eligible institution before age twenty-two;
(5) Enrolls each term on at least a half-time basis;
(6) Demonstrates financial need according to federal methodology;
(7) Has not earned a bachelor's or professional degree;
(8) Is not pursuing a degree in theology;
(9) Is making satisfactory progress;
(10) Has not received a passport scholarship for more than ten semesters, or fifteen full-time quarters, or an equivalent combination of the two;
(11) Is not twenty-seven years of age or older.
(12) Does not owe a refund or repayment on other state or federal aid programs and is not in default on a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under the Federal Family Education Loan Program, the Federal Perkins Loan Program, or the Federal Direct Student Loan Program.