This bill amends existing laws related to the Washington college grant and college bound scholarship programs, specifically for students attending private four-year not-for-profit institutions of higher education in Washington. Key changes include the definition of "maximum Washington college grant" for students at these institutions, which will be set at $9,739 for the 2019-20 academic year and may increase annually by the tuition growth factor until the 2025-26 academic year. Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, the grant will be adjusted to 50% of the average awards granted to students at public four-year institutions. Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision for students attending approved apprenticeship programs, aligning their grant amounts with those for two-year institutions.

The bill also revises the eligibility criteria for the college bound scholarship program, ensuring automatic enrollment for eligible students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, are dependents, or have been adopted under specific conditions. It mandates that eligible students must graduate from high school with at least a "C" average starting from the 2023-24 academic year and have no felony convictions. The award amounts for the college bound scholarship will be based on the average of awards granted to students in public research universities, with similar adjustments for private institutions beginning in the 2027-28 academic year. The bill emphasizes the importance of notifying eligible students and ensuring they acknowledge their enrollment in the program.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 28B.92.030