Concerning the completion of postsecondary financial aid applications.

The bill's effective dates and procedural milestones were updated, changing the reading date to January 30, 2026, and referencing the 2020-21 school year as the start date for platform availability.

New requirements mandate the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop a universal online platform by January 1, 2024, select a vendor by June 1, 2024, and submit an implementation plan by October 1, 2024.

The universal platform must include specific capabilities such as multi-language support, accessibility features, integration of labor market data, and a space for students to store evidence of learning like videos and certifications.

The list of required information in high school and beyond plans was updated to include the Washington Opportunity Scholarship and to streamline the presentation of financial aid resources.

The requirement for students to have completed at least one financial aid application by the end of grade 12 was removed from the list of mandatory plan elements.

The amendment to RCW 28A.230.212 was expanded to include the new universal platform requirements alongside existing plan elements, while RCW 28A.230.215 was added as a new section.