The bill modifies funding for the Passport to Careers program and allows students eligible for this program to automatically qualify as income-eligible for the Washington College Grant. It amends existing laws, specifically RCW 28B.76.525 and 28B.92.200, to include the Passport to Careers program in the state financial aid account, ensuring that funds are available for scholarships to eligible students. The bill also specifies that expenditures from the account can be used for scholarship awards in the Passport to Careers program for the 2019-2021 fiscal biennium and expresses the legislature's intent to continue this policy in future biennia.

Additionally, the bill updates eligibility criteria for the Washington College Grant program, allowing students who qualify for the Passport to Careers program to be considered income-eligible. This change is set to take effect starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. The bill also includes various definitions related to financial aid, such as "financial need," which is now defined as the difference between a student's cost of attendance and their student aid index. Overall, the bill aims to enhance access to postsecondary education for Washington residents by streamlining financial aid processes and expanding eligibility for grants.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 28B.76.525, 28B.117.020