The bill seeks to enhance financial aid assistance for students in Washington by restoring state financial aid to a maximum of 125 percent of the credits required for graduation. It introduces the Washington college grant program, which aims to provide free college access for eligible students, with updated eligibility criteria that limit aid to five years or 125 percent of the program length. Additionally, the bill mandates that scholarship awards must be utilized within five years, with any unused funds reverting to the scholarship account. The Washington college bound scholarship program is also modified to guarantee a four-year tuition scholarship for eligible low-income students who enroll within one year of high school graduation.

Moreover, the bill establishes the "passport to college promise" and "passport to apprenticeship opportunities" programs, which offer supplemental scholarships for students from foster care or homelessness backgrounds. The duration of financial assistance for these programs is set to five years or 125 percent of the program length, and the bill specifies that assistance cannot be used concurrently with the passport to college promise program. The council is required to report annually on the impact of the act, focusing on degree completion and the use of grant and scholarship programs, with provisions applying to eligible students starting in the 2026-27 academic year. The bill also ensures the confidentiality of personally identifiable information shared under the program.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 28B.118.010, 28B.118.005, 28B.117.030