МОЛОДЕЖНЫЙ ЦЕНТР ЗАЩИТЫ
House Bill 1657
This bill is about increasing tuition assistance for community and technical colleges in the state.
This bill is progressing.
BACKGROUND:
Washington College Grant (WGC)
Provides financial aid to eligible students to help to pay for tuition and fees at two-year and four-year institutions to use on certificate programs, job training, apprenticeships, or college.
Students with a Median Family Income of less than 100% of the state average are eligible for the WGC. Students from families at 60% or less of the state Median Family Income are able to receive the maximum financial aid award.
College Bound Scholarship (CBS)
Provides financial aid to pay for tuition and fees at two-year and four-year institutions for students who demonstrate financial need based on program criteria and meet additional requirements.
Students with a Median Family Income of 65% or less than the state average are eligible for the CBS.
Provides financial aid and support services for former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth. Funds can be used for tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation, and some personal expenses.
SUMMARY:
This bill would create the Washington 13 Free Guarantee program in order to expand postsecondary access in the state.
It would provide 45 credits of tuition-free community or technical college for all qualifying students, regardless of family income starting in the 2027-28 school year
Additional criteria include:
Financial aid must be used within a two-year period beginning no later than the academic year following when a student earns a high school diploma or equivalency from a Washington public high school
Not having previously earned an associate’s degree
Students must file a FAFSA or a WASFA
Student must maintain satisfactory academic progress
It would require each technical college to designate an employee to provide support and coordinate wraparound services for people accessing the Washington 13 Free Guarantee Program to address barriers to completion.
Eligible degree or certificate programs include professional and technical programs that lead to a recognized postsecondary credential and apprenticeship programs conducted in association with any community or technical college.
POINTS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS BILL:
This bill is targeted at students from families who do not qualify for the College Bound Scholarship or who do not receive the full award amount possible for the Washington College Grant. This means it is largely targeted at families who earn above 65% of the state median family income.
The additional support elements of this proposal could also help students from lower-income families by reducing barriers they experience while pursuing higher education, such as additional financial support to access wraparound services or help pay for additional college costs.
Ways 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.