Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Higher Education Committee |
HB 1512
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Expanding college bound scholarship eligibility.
Sponsors: Representatives Bergquist, Stambaugh, McBride, Gregerson, Slatter, Frame, Macri, Peterson, Hudgins, Pollet, Orwall, Doglio, Appleton, Fitzgibbon, Goodman, Farrell and Stanford.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/7/17
Staff: Megan Mulvihill (786-7304).
Background:
College Bound Scholarship Program.
The College Board Scholarship (CBS) program was established in 2007 to provide guaranteed four-year tuition to students from low-income families. The first CBS awards were granted to the graduating high school class of 2012. Eligible students for the CBS include those who:
qualify for free or reduced-price lunches in the seventh grade; or
are dependent from parents or guardians, or are receiving extended foster care services; and
are in grades seven through 12; or
are between the ages of 18 and 21 years and have not graduated from high school.
Beginning in the seventh grade, eligible students are notified of their eligibility and the requirements for award of the scholarship. To be eligible to receive the CBS, a student must sign a pledge during the seventh or eighth grade that includes a commitment to graduate from high school with at least a C-average and no felony convictions. To receive the CBS, the student must graduate high school having fulfilled the CBS pledge requirements. Upon graduation, the student's family income will be assessed, and if it does not exceed 65 percent of the state median family income (MFI), the student will receive a scholarship.
The CBS recipients that attend public two-year or four-year institutions of higher education receive an award to cover the cost of tuition and fees, minus any state-funded grant, scholarship, or waiver assistance, plus $500 for books and materials. The student must maintain satisfactory academic progress and may not receive the scholarship for more than four full-time years.
Summary of Bill:
A student may be eligible to sign the CBS pledge in the ninth or 10th grade, if in ninth or 10th grade he or she becomes eligible for free or reduced-price lunches and was previously ineligible in the seventh grade while a Washington student.
Students whose family incomes are greater than 65 percent of state MFI, but less than 125 percent of state MFI must receive a CBS award as follows:
For those attending two- or four-year public institutions of higher education or private four-year institutions of higher education, the award must be equal to tuition and fees at the community and technical colleges; or
For those attending private vocational schools in Washington, the award must be the representative average of awards granted to students in community and technical colleges.
Students between 65 and 125 percent of state MFI may receive the CBS award for two full-time years.
Updates outdated references from the Higher Education Coordinating Board to the Student Achievement Council.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on 01/23/2017.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.