House Bill 2374

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

Passport to Careers 

• 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 creates the Washington promise program, which would expand eligibiltiy for financial aid by doing the following:

• Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, it...

• Provides up to 90 credits of tuition free community or technical college for all qualifying students with family incomes at or below 200% of Median Family Income 

• Additional criteria include:

• Financial aid must be used within a six-year period beginning no later than 15 months 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 

• For academic year 2028-29 and beyond

• Eligibility is expanded to include students who graduated high school or earned a high school equivalency certificate in the state at any time prior to enrolling in a community or technical college and who have a family income at or below 150 percent of the state MFI.

• Scholarship recipients will also

• Receive intensive advising

• Students at or below 100% of MFI will receive student success supports including advising, peer support, and instruction in essential skills for college success

• Students at or below 150% of MFI will receive a $500 annual stipend for books and other related higher education expenses

• Each community and technical college must design and implement a plan to provide wraparound supports to students receiving the Washington Promise

• Additional wraparound supports, like mentoring or peer support, must be provided to first generation college students and other groups who have retention and completion rates below the target rates that have been established

• Each recipient with eligible dependent children are eligible for subsidized childcare and early learning programs

The bill also requires a study to be conducted on the impacts of the Washington promise program. Additional elements are included to inform students and families about the promise program and the Washington College Grant.

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 not receive the full award amount possible for the Washington College Grant. This means families who earn above 65% of the state Median Family Income.

However, the additional elements of this proposal could also reduce barriers to accessing and persisting in higher education for students from lower-income families through getting additional financial support to access wraparound services or help pay for additional college attendance related costs.