The bill seeks to enhance educational assistance programs in Washington by extending eligibility terms for several initiatives, including the Washington college grant program and the Washington college bound scholarship program. Key amendments involve increasing the maximum eligibility duration from five years to six years and expanding the eligibility criteria from 125% to 150% of the published length of the program. Additionally, the bill introduces automatic enrollment for eligible students in the college bound scholarship program and requires higher education institutions to award all qualifying need-based and merit-based financial aid. It also emphasizes support for students who have experienced foster care or homelessness, ensuring they receive supplemental scholarships and assistance.

Moreover, the bill establishes the "passport to apprenticeship opportunities program," which aims to improve postsecondary completion rates by providing financial assistance for registered apprenticeship and recognized preapprenticeship programs. The eligibility for financial assistance has been extended to either six years or 150% of the program length, whichever is longer. Recipients can utilize both the passport to college promise and the passport to apprenticeship opportunities at different times, but not simultaneously, with total financial aid capped at the equivalent of attending a public university for six years. The bill also includes confidentiality provisions for personal information and mandates reporting on the act's impact on degree completion outcomes starting December 1, 2024. If funding is not secured by June 30, 2024, the act will become null and void.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 28B.92.200, 28B.118.010, 28B.118.005, 28B.117.030
Bill as Passed Legislature: 28B.92.200, 28B.118.010, 28B.118.005, 28B.117.030
Session Law: 28B.92.200, 28B.118.010, 28B.118.005, 28B.117.030