top of page
istockphoto-1321765738-612x612.jpg

Senate Bill 5712

[Bill is not progressing]

This bill would expand eligibility for the Washington College Grant and help increase financial access to postsecondary opportunities.

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. Currently, a person is eligible if they are:

  • Washington residents (including undocumented people)

  • Recent high school graduates or working-age adults

  • Low- to middle-income families and individuals

  • People who plan to attend an approved certificate program, job training, apprenticeship, or college, part-time or full-time

 

Income-eligibility is based on Median Family Income (MFI), adjusted for family size. Median family income is the amount at which half of all households make more than that amount and half of households make less than that amount.  The MFI for 2022-23 for a family of 4 is $107,000, but to generate the full award amount a student’s median family income for a family of four would need to be $64,500 or less.

​

Currently, a WA College Grant recipient’s family would need to be at or below 60% of MFI, adjusted for family size, to receive the full award amount. Students can still qualify for Washington College Grant award of between 10 % and 60% of the full award amount if their family income is between 61% and 100% of MFI. Students from families above 100% MFI are not eligible to receive the WA College Grant.

SUMMARY

Washington College Grant:

  • Over the next two academic years, starting in 2023-24, eligibility for the WA College Grant's maximum award amount would be increased.

    • It would now include all families at or below 100% MFI, adjusted for family size. (All families at or below the MFI, adjusted for family size, would become income eligible for the full grant amount.) 

    • Eligibility would also be extended to enable families between 101% - 150% of MFI, adjusted for family size, to receive  an award of at least 25% of the maximum award amount.

​

Bridge Grants:

  • Students receiving the full WA College grant amount would be entitled to receive an additional stipends to cover additional higher education costs beyond tuition.

    • They can receive an amount of up to $1,000 annually to cover higher education costs. 

    • Students also receiving the College Bound Scholarship would only be eligible to receive $500 annually

      • College Bound Scholarship recipients currently receive a $500 annual stipend for additional expenses, so all students eligible to receive the full award amount would have access to a total of $1,000 annually to cover additional higher education costs beyond tuition and fees.

​

Washington College Promise:

  • Beginning with the 2025-26 school year the Washington College Promise Program is created for students seeking an associate's degree, certificate, or apprenticeship from a community or technical college.

    • The promise program will cover tuition, fees, and a cost of attendance stipend.

    • In addition, up to $1,500 for books and other related higher education expenses must be provided as a stipend to students.

    • Students will have up to four years to access program funds in pursuit of a associate’s degree, certificate, or apprenticeship.

 

POINTS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS BILL

The cost of attaining postsecondary degrees and credentials can be a significant barrier for students who do not have the financial resources to enroll and persistent in higher education opportunities. Providing additional stipends for students to cover the costs of attendance beyond tuition and fees can enable students to purchase the course materials and other resources needed to engage in their learning and continue their enrollment in higher education.  

 

Learn more:

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Steps to Get Started

  1. Learn where the bill is in the legislative process.
  2. If there is an upcoming hearing, decide how you would like to get your voice heard and take action.​
  3. If there is not an upcoming hearing, or if you want to supplement your advocacy, call or write your legislators.
  4. 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.

Using the WA Legislature Website

bottom of page