YOUTH ADVOCACY HUB
BACKGROUND:
The Washington College Grant (WA Grant) provides need-based financial aid to income-eligible students graduating from Washington high-schools who are pursuing education or training beyond high school. Eligibility for the WA Grant is determined by the household income of students pursuing higher education. In order to receive the WCG a student must complete a financial aid application (FAFSA or WASFA) to demonstrate financial need.
The complex financial aid application process is a barrier to accessing financial aid and enrolling in college or job training. People from low-income families often qualify for multiple public benefits programs, including financial aid for education, but eligible people must separately seek out and apply for these various forms of support. (From Washington Student Achievement Council)
In 2022, the legislature determined that people who already qualify for one of several other public assistance programs would not be required to complete the FAFSA or WASFA in order to qualify for the WCG.
SUMMARY:
Under this proposal, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, recipients of the Basic Food (SNAP) and Washington Food Assistance Programs in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade would automatically be considered income-eligible the WA Grant without completing a FAFSA or WASFA financial aid atpplication.
In the 2027-2028 school year, this is exapnded from 10th-12th graders to any individual.
POINTS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS BILL:
71% of Washington Basic Food clients do not have any college experience or degree. While this bill would not increase the number of eligible people, it would reduce barriers and increase awareness of financial aid, making college and job training more accessible.
Recent research from WSAC shows that many of the most economically disadvantaged recipients of need-based financial aid surpass their parents financially within three years of college graduation.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Steps to Get Started
Learn where the bill is in the legislative process.
If there is an upcoming hearing, decide how you would like to get your voice heard and take action.
If there is not an upcoming hearing, or if you want to supplement your advocacy, call or write your legislators.
Spread the word and get other people on board.
Participating in a Hearing
Sign in Pro, Con, or Other
This is when individuals, advocates, and organizations make their position on a particular bill known for the record. This is particularly powerful in large numbers. Many organizations will send out Action Alerts asking people to sign in Pro or Con on a bill.
Submit Written Testimony
Submitting written testimony is a great way not only to make your position known, to legislators but also to explain why in more detail. This is a good option if you don't want to speak in front of others. People also like to offer more nuance to their position by writing.
Testify Virtually
Since COVID, many legislators are allowing remote/virtual testimony for bill hearings, as it greatly expands access to the legislative process across the state. For this, individuals usually have between 1-2 minutes to state their opinion on a bill in front of the legislative committee on Zoom.
Testify In Person
To testify on a bill in person, you must travel to Olympia and join the real-time committee hearing on the Capitol campus. You will also get between 1-2 minutes to state your opinion. This is often a powerful way to make an impression on legislators in the room.