Continuing the Washington dual enrollment scholarship.
HB 1565 extends Washington's dual enrollment scholarship program, which covers costs for high school students participating in Running Start (a program allowing 11th/12th graders to take college courses at community colleges/universities). It directly affects eligible students who qualify for free/reduced lunch, the College Bound Scholarship, or Washington College Grant. The bill expands scholarship coverage to include textbooks, course materials, transportation, and food stipends (if funds remain), beyond previously covered tuition and fees. It appropriates $750,000 annually for 2026-2027 and extends the program until 2032, requiring the Washington Student Achievement Council to develop implementation rules and guidance.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026
Last action Jan 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Bill
→
Substitute Bill
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to rename it as a substitute bill and update its reading date. The primary policy change narrows the eligibility criteria for the Washington dual enrollment scholarship, restricting it exclusively to students enrolled in the 'Running Start' program while removing previous requirements for dual credit programs in general and a minimum 2.0 GPA. Additionally, the list of qualifying financial aid programs was updated to include food benefits under Title 74 RCW.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed from a broad dual credit program to specifically target the Running Start program.
TIMELINE
The bill's reading date was changed from January 23, 2025, to February 13, 2025, and the title was updated to 'Substitute House Bill 1565'.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility requirements were significantly narrowed; the requirement to be enrolled in any dual credit program and the requirement to have a 2.0 GPA were removed.
Eligibility was restricted specifically to students enrolled in the 'Running Start' program as defined in RCW 28A.600.300.
The list of qualifying financial aid programs was updated to include 'food benefits under Title 74 RCW' instead of the 'supplemental nutrition assistance program'.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
9
Key actions
5
Committee
6
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 4:00 PM.
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
Referred to Appropriations.
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce at 1:30 PM.
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce at 1:30 PM.
lower
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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