Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee
HB 1556
Brief Description: Expanding tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges.
Sponsors: Representatives Entenman, Davis, Leavitt, Ortiz-Self, Reed, Kloba, Pollet, Hill and Simmons; by request of State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Eliminates the requirement that a student must be 19 years of age or older for governing boards of community and technical colleges to waive all or a portion of high school diploma or certificate course fees.?
Hearing Date: 2/4/25
Staff: Saranda Ross (786-7068).
Background:

Washington residents 16 years of age or older may receive a high school equivalency certificate if they have been adjudged by a school district as possessing a substantial and warranted reason for leaving the regular high school education program.? Otherwise, eligible residents must be 19 years of age or older.

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Community and technical colleges offer high school diploma and completion programs, as well as Basic Education for Adults classes and programs to prepare students to pass the General Educational Development (GED) exam.? After passing the four-part GED exam, an individual receives a certificate showing that they have the same level of knowledge as a high school graduate.

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Governing boards of community and technical colleges may waive all or a portion of high school diploma or certificate course tuition and service and activity fees for resident students 19 years of age or older.? Such fees are $25 per quarter and some community and technical colleges charge an additional $10 technology fee.
Summary of Bill:

The requirement that a student must be 19 years of age or older for governing boards of community and technical colleges to waive all or a portion of high school diploma or certificate course fees is eliminated.?
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 28, 2025.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.