YOUTH ADVOCACY HUB
SUMMARY
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This bill would ensure high schoolers who graduate with below a 2.0 GPA (below a C grade average) can still qualify for the College Bound Scholarship later on.
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Currently, graduating with below a 2.0 GPA would disqualify otherwise eligible students from participating in this college scholarship program. This bill changes that so that those students still have a chance at accessing this scholarship money later on.
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While those students cannot participate in the program immediately upon graduating to attend a 4-year postsecondary institution, if they go on to a community or technical college and demonstrate academic progress, they can then access the college bound scholarship to attend a 4-year institution after that.
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The bill also institutes some new data and reporting requirements related to the College Bound Scholarship in light of these eligibility changes.
POINTS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS BILL
About the College Bound Scholarship:
The College Bound Scholarship (CBS) is an early commitment of state financial aid to eligible students who enroll in middle school and sometimes early high school. It covers the average tuition at public college rates, some fees, and a stipend for books at over 65 colleges, universities, and technical schools in Washington. Some students who are eligible for this program include those who:
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Qualify for Free and Reduced Price Lunches in 7th grade, 8th grade, or in some cases, 9th grade
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Are in grades 7-12 (or between ages 18-21 without a high school degree) and are independent from their parents/guardians or receiving extended foster care services
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Were adopted between ages 14-18 in certain circumstances
In addition, those who are eligible must:
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Have a family income that is at or below 65% of the state median family income at the time of graduation
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Have no felony convictions
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Be a resident student (established domicile in state of WA)
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Graduate from high school with at least a "C" average for consideration of admission to 4-year higher education institutions (this bill would change this piece so that students with below a C average can still be considered later)
Data Points:
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According to the legislative sponsor of this bill, about 13,000 students were eligible for the college bound scholarship last year but did not have above a 2.0 GPA.
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Only 600 of those students went on to any kind of postsecondary institution, like a community or technical college. The other 12,400 students didn't go on to get a higher education credential at all.
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The College Bound Scholarship is targeted at low-income students, who are more likely to represent racial and ethnic minority groups than the overall K-12 population in Washington.
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For example, Hispanic/Latino students represent about 23% of the K-12 student population in WA, but they make up about 41% of the College Bound Scholarship population.
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Generally, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Black/African American, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander racial/ethnic group categories are all represented at a higher percentages in CBS programs than they are in the general K-12 population.
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More Information about the College Bound Scholarship:
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Steps to Get Started
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Learn where the bill is in the legislative process.
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If there is an upcoming hearing, decide how you would like to get your voice heard and take action.
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If there is not an upcoming hearing, or if you want to supplement your advocacy, call or write your legislators.
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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
