Education (Student Financial Aid)

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 6082: Safeguarding student financial aid from fraud.

SB 6082 requires Washington's joint legislative audit committee to conduct a systemic performance audit of fraud in state financial aid programs for higher education institutions. The audit will examine fictitious student enrollments, trends in fraudulent activity (including potential AI use), aid amounts disbursed to fake students, and systemic weaknesses in fraud prevention. It mandates a report to the legislature by December 1, 2027, with recommendations for policy changes, and expires July 1, 2028. This bill directly affects institutions receiving state financial aid and aims to identify gaps in fraud prevention without making immediate policy changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill audits fraud in higher education financial aid to protect student funds and ensure proper disbursement, safeguarding access to aid.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 2444: Requiring Washington state's participation in the federal tax credit program for contributions of individuals to scholarship granting organizations.

This bill requires Washington state to formally join a federal tax credit program that incentivizes individual donations to organizations providing school scholarships. It directs the state's Department of Revenue to annually notify federal and state officials of Washington's participation, with the first notification due by April 1, 2026. The law applies to Washington residents who contribute to scholarship-granting organizations and ensures the state meets federal requirements to access these tax credits. Key provisions include annual renewal notices and rules designed to maximize the state's use of the available federal tax credits. The bill takes effect immediately to enable timely participation in the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables federal tax credit for scholarship donations, providing tax relief to donors through state participation in tax incentive program.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables tax-credit-funded scholarships, expanding educational access options for students through private school funding mechanisms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 2148: Creating the pay it forward program.

HB 2148 creates Washington's "pay it forward" program to help graduate students cover tuition and fees at public universities. The program provides funding for up to four years of study (or 125% of a program's length), minus any existing state financial aid, for students at University of Washington, Washington State University, regional universities (Western, Central, Eastern), or The Evergreen State College. Participants repay the program after graduation by contributing a percentage of their income (3.5% for regional universities/state college, 5% for state universities) for up to 15 years, with payments tied to the credits taken during their studies. Funding comes from state appropriations, participant contributions, and private donations, held in a dedicated trust fund managed by the Student Achievement Council.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new funding mechanism for graduate tuition coverage at public universities, expanding access to higher education through income-based repayment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 5849: Making financial education a graduation requirement in Washington state.

SB 5849 requires all Washington high school students to complete financial education instruction to graduate, beginning with the 2033 graduating class at the earliest. It mandates school districts to provide this instruction aligned with state learning standards, through various formats like regular classes or online options, starting in the 2027-28 school year. The bill also requires districts to publicize the requirement to students and families and allows principals to grant individual waivers for students who moved to Washington after the requirement began. This policy directly affects all public high school students in Washington state and builds on existing financial education efforts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial education as a graduation requirement, expanding curriculum standards and student program offerings in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5828: Concerning the Washington college grant and college bound scholarship program for students attending private four-year not-for-profit institutions of higher education in Washington.

SB 5828 adjusts the maximum Washington College Grant amount for students attending private four-year nonprofit institutions in Washington. Currently capped at $9,739 for 2019-20 (with annual increases limited by tuition growth), the grant will change starting in 2026-27 to equal 50% of the average award given to students at public four-year institutions. This directly affects students enrolled at qualifying private nonprofit colleges in Washington, ensuring their grant amount aligns with public institution funding trends. The bill amends existing grant program rules without altering eligibility for the separate College Bound Scholarship program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts state grant funding formula to align private college support with public institutions' awards, increasing state budget allocation for education.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdjusts grant to align with public institutions' average awards, increasing funding for private nonprofit higher education students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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signed · Washington · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 5841: Concerning the completion of postsecondary financial aid applications.

SB 5841 requires Washington school districts to integrate financial aid information into students' "high school and beyond plans" starting in grade 7. The bill mandates that these plans include specific details about federal and state financial aid programs (like the Washington College Grant), application deadlines, documentation needs, and special considerations for homeless or dependent students. It directs schools to provide annual information on graduation pathways and financial aid resources, and to ensure students complete at least one financial aid application or receive an opt-out notice. The law directly affects students in grades 7-12, their families, and school districts, which must coordinate this information through annual updates and language-accessible materials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates early integration of financial aid info into student plans, enhancing college access and planning for K-12 students.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Washington · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2132: Concerning applications for state financial aid.

HB 2132 protects student privacy for Washington state financial aid applications by making personally identifying and financial information exempt from public records requests. It limits how long institutions and the state council retain application records (one year after the award year ends, unless an audit or appeal is pending) and restricts sharing this data with other entities, including the federal government, without a court order or specific data-sharing agreements. The bill directly affects students applying for state financial aid (excluding the federal FAFSA) and state agencies handling these applications. Key provisions include strict privacy safeguards for sensitive data and clear limits on data sharing to prevent unauthorized disclosure.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student privacy in financial aid applications, ensuring secure access to educational funding without data misuse risks.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects student data privacy by restricting sharing and retention of financial aid records, aligning with data privacy indicators in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1554: Providing equity in eligibility for the college bound scholarship.

HB 1554 expands eligibility for Washington's College Bound Scholarship to include students who qualified for free or reduced-price lunch in 7th or 8th grade (even if they later lost that status) and those who qualified in 9th grade after being ineligible earlier. It also adds protections for adopted youth (adopted between 14-18 with specific agreements) to retain eligibility. The bill requires automatic enrollment for eligible students with no application needed, and mandates schools to notify students about the program. This change removes barriers that previously excluded low-income students due to temporary income fluctuations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands college scholarship access for low-income students and adopted youth, removing barriers to higher education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1166: Establishing the providing effective education for reentry success act.

HB 1166 establishes the "Providing Effective Education for Reentry Success Act" in Washington State, directly affecting incarcerated individuals by expanding their access to postsecondary education and digital tools. The bill requires correctional facilities to provide broadband internet access, allow incarcerated people to own personal laptops with WiFi, and ensure timely access to educational websites (within two weeks of request). It mandates that facilities collaborate on digital inclusion efforts and prohibits restrictions on online learning for responsible users, defining "digital equity" to include activities like taking online exams, accessing library resources, and applying for financial aid. The law aims to support rehabilitation and successful reentry through structured educational pathways and digital literacy opportunities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands postsecondary education access for incarcerated individuals via broadband and digital tools, directly supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - core criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates broadband, personal devices, and website access in correctional facilities to expand postsecondary education access for incarcerated individuals, directly advancing educational opportunities for a marginalized group.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates broadband access, personal laptops with WiFi, and educational website access for incarcerated individuals, directly expanding internet access and digital inclusion.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Libraries Student Financial Aid Broadband Access

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5308: Establishing the Washington guaranteed admissions program and requiring student notifications.

SB 5308 establishes Washington's Guaranteed Admissions Program, requiring participating public four-year colleges (including regional universities, state colleges, and tribal institutions) to simplify admissions applications and guarantee admission to eligible high school seniors starting in 2026-27. The bill mandates schools to share student data (like GPA) with colleges and requires all high schools to notify students in grades 9-12 about college pathways, including this program, the Washington College Grant, and financial aid options. Participating institutions must report annually on admission rates, enrollment, and demographic data to track equity outcomes. This directly affects high school students seeking college access and public institutions managing admissions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationGuarantees college admission for eligible students, simplifies applications, mandates college pathway notifications - directly expands higher education access and student support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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