wa-law.org > bill > 2025-26 > SB 5785 > Original Bill

SB 5785 - Higher education costs

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Section 1

  1. Tuition fees shall be established under the provisions of this chapter.

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    1. The maximum increase in tuition operating fees for resident undergraduates at institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 shall be calculated by the office of financial management and transmitted to the institutions of higher education by October 1st of each year for the following academic year. Except as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection, tuition operating fees for resident undergraduates at institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 may increase by no more than the average annual percentage growth rate in the median hourly wage for Washington as the wage is determined by the federal bureau of labor statistics and calculated based on the previous 14 years prior to the transmittal date by the office of financial management.

    2. In the 2026-27 academic year, the tuition operating fees for resident undergraduates at the community and technical colleges may increase by no more than five percent above the tuition growth factor calculated by the office of financial management in (a) of this subsection. Within the limitations of this subsection, tuition operating fees may only increase to the extent necessary to operate within the appropriations from the general fund and related funds, as defined in RCW 43.88.055, for fiscal year 2027 in the 2025-2027 omnibus operating appropriations act.

    3. In the 2026-27 academic year, the tuition operating fees for resident undergraduates at the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College may increase by no more than five percent above the tuition growth factor calculated by the office of financial management in (a) of this subsection. Within the limitations of this subsection, tuition operating fees may only increase to the extent necessary to support employee compensation costs and to operate within the appropriations from the general fund and related funds, as defined in RCW 43.88.055, for fiscal year 2027 in the 2025-2027 omnibus operating appropriations act.

  3. (a) Except as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection, the governing boards of the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College; and the state board for community and technical colleges may reduce or increase full-time tuition fees for all students other than resident undergraduates, including nonresident students, summer school students, and students in other self-supporting degree programs. Percentage increases in full-time tuition may exceed the fiscal growth factor. Except during the 2013-2015 fiscal biennium, the state board for community and technical colleges may pilot or institute differential tuition models. The board may define scale, scope, and rationale for the models.

    1. In the 2026-27 academic year, the tuition operating fees for nonresident undergraduates at the community and technical colleges may increase to the extent necessary to operate within the appropriations from the general fund and related funds, as defined in RCW 43.88.055, for fiscal year 2027 in the 2025-2027 omnibus operating appropriations act.

    2. In the 2026-27 academic year, the tuition operating fees for nonresident undergraduates at the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College may increase to the extent necessary to support employee compensation costs and to operate within the appropriations from the general fund and related funds, as defined in RCW 43.88.055, for fiscal year 2027 in the 2025-2027 omnibus operating appropriations act.

  4. The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to high school students enrolling in participating institutions of higher education under RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.400.

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    1. The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to eligible students enrolling in a dropout reengagement program through an interlocal agreement between a school district and a community or technical college under RCW 28A.175.100 through 28A.175.110.

    2. The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to students incarcerated with the department of corrections who are participating in credit-eligible postsecondary education courses and degree programs when the program expenses are funded by nontuition resources such as, but not limited to, grants, contracts, and donations.

  6. As a result of any changes in tuition under section 3, chapter 36, Laws of 2015 3rd sp. sess., the governing boards of the state universities, the regional universities, and The Evergreen State College shall not reduce resident undergraduate enrollment below the 2014-15 academic year levels.

Section 2

  1. In addition to other eligibility requirements outlined in this chapter, students whose annual household income is at or below 65 percent of the annual state median income are eligible to receive the Washington college grant. The amount a student may receive of the Washington college grant is dependent on the household's annual income, adjusted for household size, and the difference in the household's annual share of higher education costs provided in this section and the maximum Washington college grant. Beginning with academic year 2026-27, the office must calculate a household's annual share of higher education costs as follows:

If the household's annual income, adjusted for household size, is:

Then the household's annual share of higher education costs, based on a household of two, are:

Below 25 percent of the state median income

$0

At or above 25 percent and below 35 percent of the state median income

25 percent of the state median income for a household of two, multiplied by 5 percent

At or above 35 percent and below 45 percent of the state median income

35 percent of the state median income for a household of two, multiplied by 5.5 percent

At or above 45 percent and below 55 percent of the state median income

45 percent of the state median income for a household of two, multiplied by 6 percent

At or above 55 percent and at or below 65 percent of the state median income

55 percent of the state median income for a household of two, multiplied by 6.5 percent

  1. If the household's calculated share exceeds the maximum Washington college grant award, no award may be provided.

Section 3

(1) The Washington college grant program is created to provide a statewide free college program for eligible participants and greater access to postsecondary education for Washington residents. The Washington college grant program is intended to increase the number of high school graduates and adults that can attain a postsecondary credential and provide them with the qualifications needed to compete for job opportunities in Washington.

Section 4

(1) The caseload forecast council is hereby created. The council shall consist of two individuals appointed by the governor and four individuals, one of whom is appointed by the chairperson of each of the two largest political caucuses in the senate and house of representatives. The chair of the council shall be selected from among the four caucus appointees. The council may select such other officers as the members deem necessary.

Section 5

Section 6

Sections 2 through 4 of this act take effect July 1, 2026.

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