Education (Student Financial Aid)

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1657: Establishing the Washington 13 free guarantee.

HB 1657 establishes the "Washington 13 Free Guarantee," providing eligible Washington residents up to 45 tuition-free credits at state technical colleges beginning in 2027-28. It directly affects high school graduates from Washington state (or those earning equivalency in the same or prior year) without an associate's degree who qualify for financial aid. The program covers the tuition difference after applying existing gift aid (like Pell Grants or state scholarships), requiring students to enroll part-time in eligible programs and maintain academic progress. Technical colleges must also assign staff to support participants with wraparound services to help them complete their programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition-free credits for eligible Washington students at state technical colleges, expanding higher education access and reducing financial barriers.90% confidence

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

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5275: Modifying funding and award levels for the passport to careers program and eligibility for the Washington college grant.

SB 5275 modifies how funds for two student aid programs are managed. It requires the Passport to Careers program (for job-training scholarships) and the Washington College Grant to be funded through a dedicated state financial aid account, ensuring these funds remain available year-to-year without expiring. The bill clarifies that money for these programs must be deposited into this account and can only be used for their intended purposes, with no changes to the actual grant amounts or eligibility rules. This policy change ensures consistent funding for students seeking career training or college education through these specific programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDedicated account ensures year-to-year funding for student aid programs, protecting existing appropriations without altering grant amounts or eligibility.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationSecures dedicated funding for student aid programs, preventing expiration of funds and ensuring continued support for career training and college grants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1447: Tracking Washington application for state financial aid award amounts.

This bill requires Washington's higher education office to track and publicly share the exact state financial aid amounts awarded to each student using the Washington Application for State Financial Aid, starting with the 2025-26 academic year. By December 1, 2026, the office must annually report to the legislature on total applicants, recipients, and total aid disbursed per higher education institution. This data will be published online to increase transparency about how state financial aid is distributed. The bill directly affects students receiving state aid through the Washington Application and all public colleges/universities in Washington.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates transparency in state financial aid distribution for higher education, enhancing accountability in funding allocation per educational funding policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1343: Limiting the scope of cause for loss of aid.

HB 1343 would repeal existing state law (RCW 28B.10.281) that allowed students to lose financial aid for certain activities. This bill directly affects Washington state college students receiving financial aid by removing a specific eligibility restriction. The key mechanism is the deletion of the provision that tied aid loss to particular student conduct, replacing it with a broader, undefined standard. The bill does not create new requirements but eliminates a specific cause for aid termination. (Note: The bill did not pass, as indicated by "Minority; do not pass" on its legislative record.)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves restriction on financial aid eligibility, enhancing access to higher education funding for students by eliminating specific conduct-based aid loss provisions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1565: 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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state funding for education scholarship program, increasing budget allocation for student support services like textbooks and transportation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands dual enrollment scholarship coverage to include textbooks, transportation, and food stipends for eligible students, increasing access to higher education programs.95% confidence

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

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signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5785: Modifying students' share of the education costs at institutions of higher education.

This bill modifies the Washington college grant and college bound scholarship programs, impacting students seeking financial aid for higher education in Washington state. It codifies the maximum eligibility for the Washington college grant to students with family incomes up to 60 percent of the state median family income. The bill also adjusts how maximum grant amounts are calculated for various institutions, including private universities and apprenticeship programs, with some changes taking effect in the 2026-27 academic year. Additionally, it updates criteria for institutional eligibility, specifically for out-of-state affiliated institutions, to participate in these financial aid programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies grant eligibility to include lower-income students (up to 60% median income) and adjusts funding calculations, expanding access to higher education financial aid.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5164: Providing student navigational supports to increase postsecondary enrollment.

SB 5164 proposes creating a state-funded program to place "postsecondary enrollment specialists" in high schools across Washington, working at a 1:600 ratio with seniors. These specialists will directly assist students - especially those from lower-income backgrounds - with completing financial aid applications (like FAFSA and WASFA), connecting to scholarships, and navigating college enrollment processes. The bill requires school districts to partner with community colleges, tribal organizations, or community groups to hire these specialists and mandates free training for school staff on financial aid. It also requires annual reports tracking how the program increases financial aid completion rates and enrollment, targeting schools with historically low application rates. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationState-funded program creates enrollment specialists to assist students with financial aid and college navigation, specifically targeting lower-income students to expand postsecondary access and enrollment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5402: Modifying financial aid eligibility.

SB 5402 modifies Washington State's college financial aid program by expanding eligibility for the maximum Washington College Grant to students with family incomes up to 70% of the state median family income (up from 55%), with temporary adjustments during 2022-2025. It adds a new $500 annual "bridge grant" for students receiving the maximum Washington College Grant but not the College Bound Scholarship, to cover non-tuition expenses like books, housing, and child care. The bridge grant applies after other gift aid is awarded and requires at least half-time enrollment. This bill directly affects low-income Washington students pursuing higher education, particularly those who qualify for the maximum grant but lack additional scholarship support. The changes take effect for the 2025-26 academic year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state spending by expanding financial aid eligibility and adding a $500 annual bridge grant, funding essential education support for low/middle-income students.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands financial aid eligibility and adds bridge grants to cover non-tuition expenses, directly increasing access to higher education funding.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides $500 annual bridge grant covering housing costs for college students, directly supporting affordable housing access through financial aid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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signed · Washington · House May 13, 2025

HB 1587: Encouraging local government partner promise scholarship programs within the opportunity scholarship program.

House Bill 1587 encourages local governments, including municipalities, counties, and federally recognized Indian tribes, to establish their own "promise scholarship programs" for Washington students. These local programs will operate within the existing Washington state opportunity scholarship program, which will administer the scholarships, but local governments can set their own student eligibility rules and determine which educational programs to support. The scholarships aim to cover tuition and fees not met by other state aid, with local governments having the option to provide additional funds for expenses like books. The bill also authorizes state matching funds, up to $300,000 per local program annually, to support these efforts and expand access to postsecondary education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by enabling local scholarship programs within existing opportunity scholarships, covering tuition and allowing local eligibility rules for student support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

signed · Washington · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 5543: Providing equity in eligibility for the college bound scholarship.

Senate Bill 5543 aims to provide equity in eligibility for the College Bound Scholarship program in Washington state. The bill standardizes how eligible students can meet the high school graduation requirement by confirming that receiving a high school equivalency certificate is a valid pathway for all scholarship recipients. It removes a previous specific provision that separately allowed certain dependent or adopted students to use this certificate, thereby streamlining the requirements. This

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves eligibility barriers for high school equivalency certificate holders, expanding access to college scholarship program for all students.90% confidence

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