The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
"Council" means the council for higher education.
"Four-year institutions" means the University of Washington, Washington State University, Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Western Washington University, and The Evergreen State College.
"Major expansion" means expansion of the higher education system that requires significant new capital investment, including building new institutions, campuses, branches, or centers or conversion of existing campuses, branches, or centers that would result in a mission change.
"Mission change" means a change in the level of degree awarded or institutional type not currently authorized in statute.
"Office" means the office of student financial assistance.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 101; 2010 c 245 § 4; 1985 c 370 § 2; ]
The office of student financial assistance is created within and under the direction of the student achievement council.
The purpose of the office is to administer state and federal financial aid and other education services programs, including the advanced college tuition payment program in chapter 28B.95 RCW, in a cost-effective manner.
[ 2012 c 229 § 401; 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 102; 2007 c 458 § 102; 2004 c 275 § 4; 1987 c 330 § 301; 1985 c 370 § 14; ]
The office shall have authority to adopt rules as necessary to implement this chapter.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 103; 1985 c 370 § 8; ]
As part of the state needs assessment process conducted by the *board in accordance with **RCW 28B.76.230, the *board shall, in collaboration with the professional educator standards board, assess the need for additional degree and certificate programs in Washington that specialize in teacher preparation to meet regional or subject area shortages. If the *board determines that there is a need for additional programs, then the *board shall encourage the appropriate institutions of higher education or institutional sectors to create such a program.
[ 2010 c 235 § 507; 2007 c 396 § 17; ]
The *board must establish boundaries for service regions for institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 implementing professional educator standards board-approved educator preparation programs. Regions shall be established to encourage and support, not exclude, the reach of public institutions of higher education across the state.
Based on the data in the assessment in RCW ** 28B.76.230 and 28B.76.335, the *board shall determine whether reasonable teacher preparation program access for prospective teachers is available in each region. If access is determined to be inadequate in a region, the institution of higher education responsible for the region shall submit a plan for meeting the access need to the *board.
Partnerships with other teacher preparation program providers and the use of appropriate technology shall be considered. The *board shall review the plan and, as appropriate, assist the institution in developing support and resources for implementing the plan.
[ 2010 c 235 § 508; ]
The office shall administer any state program or state-administered federal program of student financial aid now or hereafter established.
Each of the student financial aid programs administered by the office shall be labeled an "opportunity pathway." Loans provided by the federal government and aid granted to students outside of the financial aid package provided through institutions of higher education are not subject to the labeling provisions in this subsection. All communication materials, including, but not limited to, printed materials, presentations, and web content, shall include the "opportunity pathway" label.
If the office develops a one-stop college information web-based portal that includes financial, academic, and career planning information, the portal shall display all available student financial aid programs, except federal student loans and aid granted to students outside of the financial aid package provided through institutions of higher education, under the "opportunity pathway" label. The portal shall also display information regarding federal tax credits related to higher education available for students or their families.
The labeling requirements in this section do not change the source, eligibility requirements, or student obligations associated with each program. The office shall customize its communications to differentiate between programs, eligibility requirements, and student obligations, so long as the reporting provisions of this chapter are also fulfilled.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 106; 2009 c 215 § 7; 1985 c 370 § 23; 1975 1st ex.s. c 132 § 15; 1969 ex.s. c 263 § 7; ]
The office must provide a financial aid counseling curriculum to institutions of higher education with Washington college grant recipients. The curriculum must be available via a website. The curriculum must include, but not be limited to:
An explanation of the Washington college grant program rules, including maintaining satisfactory progress, repayment rules, and usage limits;
Information on campus and private scholarships and work-study opportunities, including the application processes;
An overview of student loan options with an emphasis on the repayment obligations a student borrower assumes regardless of program completion, including the likely consequences of default and sample monthly repayment amounts based on a range of student levels of indebtedness;
An overview of personal finance, including basic money management skills such as living within a budget and handling credit and debt;
Average salaries for a wide range of jobs;
Financial education that meets the needs of, and includes perspectives from, a diverse group of students who are or were recipients of financial aid, including student loans, who may be trained by the financial education public-private partnership; and
Contact information for local financial aid resources and the federal student aid ombuds' office.
By the 2013-14 academic year, the institution of higher education must take reasonable steps to ensure that each Washington college grant recipient receives information outlined in subsection (1)(a) through (g) of this section by directly referencing or linking to the website on the conditions of award statement provided to each recipient.
By July 1, 2013, the office must disseminate the curriculum to all institutions of higher education participating in the Washington college grant program. The institutions of higher education may require students who are not participating in the Washington college grant program to participate in all or portions of the financial aid counseling.
Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, by the 2017-18 academic year, each institution of higher education must take reasonable steps to ensure that the institution presents, and each incoming student participates in, a financial education workshop. The scope of the workshop must include, but is not limited to, the information outlined in subsection (1)(b) through (g) of this section, and include recommendations by the financial education public-private partnership. The institutions are encouraged to present these workshops during student orientation or as early as possible in the academic year.
[ 2019 c 406 § 37; 2017 c 177 § 1; 2013 c 23 § 59; 2012 c 31 § 1; ]
The investment of funds from all scholarship endowment programs administered by the office shall be managed by the state investment board.
The state investment board has the full power to invest, reinvest, manage, contract, sell, or exchange investment money in scholarship endowment funds. All investment and operating costs associated with the investment of a scholarship endowment fund shall be paid pursuant to RCW 43.33A.160 and 43.84.160. With the exception of these expenses, the earnings from the investments of the fund belong to the fund.
Funds from all scholarship endowment programs administered by the office shall be in the custody of the state treasurer.
All investments made by the state investment board shall be made with the exercise of that degree of judgment and care pursuant to RCW 43.33A.140 and the investment policies established by the state investment board.
As deemed appropriate by the state investment board, money in a scholarship endowment fund may be commingled for investment with other funds subject to investment by the state investment board.
The authority to establish all policies relating to scholarship endowment funds, other than the investment policies in subsections (2) through (5) of this section, resides with the office.
The office may request and accept moneys from the state investment board. With the exception of expenses of the state investment board in subsection (2) of this section, disbursements from the fund shall be made only on the authorization of the office and money in the fund may be spent only for the purposes of the endowment programs as specified in the authorizing chapter of each program.
The state investment board shall routinely consult and communicate with the office on the investment policy, earnings of the scholarship endowment funds, and related needs of the programs.
[ 2012 c 229 § 604; 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 107; 2007 c 73 § 1; ]
The highway worker memorial scholarship account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Moneys received from legislative appropriations and transfers, private donations, public or private gifts and grants, conveyances, and other sources may be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be made only for the purposes of providing scholarships to children and surviving spouses of highway workers who lost his or her life or became totally disabled while employed by a general contractor or subcontractor on a state transportation project. Children and surviving spouses must apply to the office of student financial assistance, and if found to be eligible, may receive a scholarship in an amount of the annual cost of tuition at the enrolled individual's institution of higher education or the cost of undergraduate tuition and state-mandated fees at the most expensive Washington state public university, whichever is less. Eligible individuals may receive up to four annual scholarships. Scholarships will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis subject to the availability of moneys in the account. Disbursements from the account may be authorized only by the office of student financial assistance or the Washington student achievement council. An appropriation is not required for expenditures, but the account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW.
The office is authorized to receive and expend federal funds and any private gifts or grants, such federal funds or private funds to be expended in accordance with the conditions contingent in such grant thereof.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 109; 1985 c 370 § 22; 1975 1st ex.s. c 132 § 14; 1969 ex.s. c 263 § 5; ]
The state financial aid account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. The primary purpose of the account is to ensure that all appropriations designated for financial aid through statewide student financial aid programs are made available to eligible students. The account shall be a nontreasury account.
The office shall deposit in the account all money received for the Washington college grant program established under chapter 28B.92 RCW, the state work-study program established under chapter 28B.12 RCW, the Washington scholars program established under RCW 28A.600.110, the Washington award for vocational excellence program established under RCW 28C.04.525, and the educational opportunity grant program established under *chapter 28B.101 RCW. The account shall consist of funds appropriated by the legislature for the programs listed in this subsection and private contributions to the programs. Moneys deposited in the account do not lapse at the close of the fiscal period for which they were appropriated. Both during and after the fiscal period in which moneys were deposited in the account, the office may expend moneys in the account only for the purposes for which they were appropriated, and the expenditures are subject to any other conditions or limitations placed on the appropriations.
Expenditures from the account shall be used for scholarships to students eligible for the programs according to program rules and policies. For the 2019-2021 fiscal biennium, expenditures may also be used for scholarship awards in the passport to career program established under chapter 28B.117 RCW. It is the intent of the legislature that this policy will be continued in subsequent fiscal biennia.
Disbursements from the account are exempt from appropriations and the allotment provisions of chapter 43.88 RCW.
Only the director of the office or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account.
[ 2020 c 357 § 910; 2019 c 406 § 38; 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 110; 2005 c 139 § 1; ]
The Washington opportunity pathways account is created in the state treasury. Expenditures from the account may be used only for programs in chapter 28A.710 RCW (charter schools), chapter 28B.12 RCW (state work-study), chapter 28B.50 RCW (opportunity grant), RCW 28B.76.660 (Washington scholars award), RCW 28B.76.670 (Washington award for vocational excellence), chapter 28B.92 RCW (Washington college grant program), chapter 28B.105 RCW (GET ready for math and science scholarship), chapter 28B.117 RCW (passport to careers), chapter 28B.118 RCW (college bound scholarship), and chapter 43.216 RCW (early childhood education and assistance program). During the 2019-21 fiscal biennium, the account may also be appropriated for public schools funded under chapters 28A.150 and 28A.715 RCW.
[ 2020 c 357 § 911; 2019 c 406 § 39; 2018 c 232 § 10; 2016 c 241 § 201; 2010 1st sp.s. c 27 § 2; ]
In addition to administrative responsibilities assigned in this chapter, the office shall administer the programs set forth in the following statutes: RCW 28A.600.100 through 28A.600.150 (Washington scholars); chapter 28B.85 RCW (degree-granting institutions); chapter 28B.92 RCW (Washington college grant); chapter 28B.12 RCW (work-study); RCW 28B.15.543 (grants for undergraduate coursework); RCW 28B.15.760 through 28B.15.766 (math and science loans); RCW 28B.15.100 (reciprocity agreement); RCW 28B.15.730 through 28B.15.734 (Oregon reciprocity); RCW 28B.15.750 and * 28B.15.752 (Idaho reciprocity); RCW 28B.15.756 (British Columbia reciprocity); **chapter 28B.101 RCW (educational opportunity grant); chapter 28B.102 RCW (educator conditional scholarship and repayment programs); chapter 28B.108 RCW (American Indian endowed scholarship); chapter 28B.109 RCW (Washington international exchange scholarship); chapter 28B.115 RCW (health professional conditional scholarship); and chapter 28B.133 RCW (gaining independence for students with dependents).
[ 2020 c 18 § 26; 2019 c 406 § 40; 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 111; 2004 c 275 § 18; 1998 c 245 § 24; 1995 1st sp.s. c 9 § 12; 1990 c 33 § 561; 1986 c 136 § 20; 1985 c 370 § 7; ]
For the purposes of RCW 28B.76.555 through 28B.76.590, "private donation" includes assessments by commodity commissions authorized to conduct research activities including but not limited to research studies authorized under RCW 15.66.030 and 15.65.040.
[ 2004 c 275 § 19; 1989 c 187 § 1; ]
The legislature recognizes that quality in the state's public four-year institutions of higher education would be strengthened by additional partnerships between citizens and the institutions. The legislature intends to foster these partnerships by creating a matching grant program to assist public four-year institutions of higher education in creating endowments for funding distinguished professorships.
[ 1987 c 8 § 1; ]
The Washington distinguished professorship trust fund program is established.
The program shall be administered by the office.
The trust fund shall be administered by the state treasurer.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 112; 1987 c 8 § 2; ]
Funds appropriated by the legislature for the distinguished professorship program shall be deposited in the distinguished professorship trust fund. At the request of the office under RCW 28B.76.575, the treasurer shall release the state matching funds to the designated institution's local endowment fund. No appropriation is required for expenditures from the fund. During the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, the legislature may transfer from the distinguished professorship trust fund to the state general fund such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance in the account.
[ 2011 2nd sp.s. c 9 § 903; 2011 2nd sp.s. c 9 § 902; 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 113; 2010 1st sp.s. c 37 § 915; 2009 c 564 § 1805; 2004 c 275 § 20; 1991 sp.s. c 13 § 99; 1987 c 8 § 3; ]
In consultation with the eligible institutions of higher education, the office shall set guidelines for the program. These guidelines may include an allocation system based on factors which include but are not limited to: The amount of money available in the trust fund; characteristics of the institutions including the size of the faculty and student body; and the number of professorships previously received.
Any allocation system shall be superseded by conditions in any act of the legislature appropriating funds for this program.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 114; 1987 c 8 § 4; ]
All state four-year institutions of higher education shall be eligible for matching trust funds. An institution may apply to the office for two hundred fifty thousand dollars from the fund when the institution can match the state funds with an equal amount of pledged or contributed private donations or with funds received through legislative appropriation specifically for the G. Robert Ross distinguished faculty award and designated as being qualified to be matched from trust fund moneys. These donations shall be made specifically to the professorship program, and shall be donated after July 1, 1985.
Upon an application by an institution, the office may designate two hundred fifty thousand dollars from the trust fund for that institution's pledged professorship. If the pledged two hundred fifty thousand dollars is not received within three years, the office shall make the designated funds available for another pledged professorship.
Once the private donation is received by the institution, the office shall ask the state treasurer to release the state matching funds to a local endowment fund established by the institution for the professorship.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 115; 1988 c 125 § 3; 1987 c 8 § 5; ]
The professorship is the property of the institution and may be named in honor of a donor, benefactor, or honoree of the institution, at the option of the institution. Once state matching funds are released to a local endowment fund, an institution may combine two professorships to support one professorship holder.
The institution is responsible for soliciting private donations, investing and maintaining all endowment funds, administering the professorship, and reporting on the program to the governor and the legislature upon request. The institution may augment the endowment fund with additional private donations. The principal of the invested endowment fund shall not be invaded.
The proceeds from the endowment fund may be used to supplement the salary of the holder of the professorship, to pay salaries for his or her assistants, and to pay expenses associated with the holder's scholarly work.
[ 1989 c 187 § 2; 1987 c 8 § 6; ]
Any private or public money, including all investment income, deposited in the Washington distinguished professorship trust fund or any local endowment for professorship programs shall not be subject to collective bargaining.
[ 1987 c 8 § 7; ]
A distinguished professorship program established under chapter 343, Laws of 1985 shall continue to operate under RCW 28B.76.555 through 28B.76.585 and the requirements of RCW 28B.76.555 through 28B.76.585 shall apply.
[ 2004 c 275 § 21; 1987 c 8 § 8; ]
The legislature recognizes that quality in the state's public four-year institutions of higher education would be strengthened by additional partnerships between citizens and the institutions. The legislature intends to foster these partnerships by creating a matching grant program to assist public four-year institutions of higher education in creating endowments for funding fellowships for distinguished graduate students.
[ 1987 c 147 § 1; ]
The Washington graduate fellowship trust fund program is established. The program shall be administered by the office. The trust fund shall be administered by the state treasurer. During the 2011-2013 fiscal biennium, the legislature may transfer from the Washington graduate fellowship trust fund to the state general fund such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance in the account.
[ 2011 2nd sp.s. c 9 § 905; 2011 2nd sp.s. c 9 § 904; 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 116; 1987 c 147 § 2; ]
Funds appropriated by the legislature for the graduate fellowship program shall be deposited in the graduate fellowship trust fund. At the request of the office under RCW 28B.76.620, the treasurer shall release the state matching funds to the designated institution's local endowment fund. No appropriation is required for expenditures from the fund. During the 2009-2011 fiscal biennium, the legislature may transfer from the graduate fellowship trust fund to the state general fund such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance in the account.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 117; 2010 1st sp.s. c 37 § 916; 2009 c 564 § 1806; 2004 c 275 § 22; 1991 sp.s. c 13 § 88; 1987 c 147 § 3; ]
In consultation with eligible institutions of higher education, the office shall set guidelines for the program. These guidelines may include an allocation system based on factors which include but are not limited to: The amount of money available in the trust fund; characteristics of the institutions including the size of the faculty and student body; and the number of fellowships previously received.
Any allocation system shall be superseded by conditions in any legislative act appropriating funds for the program.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 118; 1987 c 147 § 4; ]
All state four-year institutions of higher education shall be eligible for matching trust funds. Institutions may apply to the office for twenty-five thousand dollars from the fund when they can match the state funds with equal pledged or contributed private donations. These donations shall be made specifically to the graduate fellowship program, and shall be donated after July 1, 1987.
Upon an application by an institution, the office may designate twenty-five thousand dollars from the trust fund for that institution's pledged graduate fellowship fund. If the pledged twenty-five thousand dollars is not received within two years, the office shall make the designated funds available for another pledged graduate fellowship fund.
Once the private donation is received by the institution, the office shall ask the state treasurer to release the state matching funds to a local endowment fund established by the institution for the graduate fellowships.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 119; 1987 c 147 § 5; ]
The fellowship is the property of the institution and may be named in honor of a donor, benefactor, or honoree of the institution, at the option of the institution.
The institution is responsible for soliciting private donations, investing and maintaining all endowment funds, administering the fellowship, and reporting on the program to the governor and the legislature upon request. The institution may augment the endowment fund with additional private donations. The principal of the invested endowment fund shall not be invaded.
The proceeds from the endowment fund may be used to provide fellowship stipends to be used by the recipient for such things as tuition and fees, subsistence, research expenses, and other educationally related costs.
[ 1987 c 147 § 6; ]
Any private or public money, including all investment income, deposited in the Washington graduate fellowship trust fund or any local endowment for fellowship programs shall not be subject to collective bargaining.
[ 1987 c 147 § 7; ]
The office is hereby specifically directed to develop such state plans as are necessary to coordinate the state of Washington's participation within the student exchange compact programs under the auspices of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, as provided by chapter 28B.70 RCW. In addition to establishing such plans the office shall designate the state certifying officer for student programs.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 120; 1985 c 370 § 17; 1974 ex.s. c 4 § 3; ]
In the development of any such plans as called for within RCW 28B.76.640, the office shall use at least the following criteria:
Students who are eligible to attend compact-authorized programs in other states shall meet the Washington residency requirements of chapter 28B.15 RCW prior to being awarded tuition assistance.
For recipients named after January 1, 1995, the tuition assistance shall be in the form of loans that may be completely forgiven in exchange for the student's service within the state of Washington after graduation. The requirements for such service and provisions for loan forgiveness shall be determined in rules adopted by the office.
If appropriations are insufficient to fund all students qualifying under subsection (1) of this section, then the plans shall include criteria for student selection that would be in the best interest in meeting the state's educational needs, as well as recognizing the financial needs of students.
Receipts from the payment of principal or interest or any other subsidies to which the office as administrator is entitled, that are paid by or on behalf of participants under this section, shall be deposited with the office and placed in an account created in this section and shall be used to cover the costs of granting the scholarships, maintaining necessary records, and making collections. The office shall maintain accurate records of these costs, and all receipts beyond those necessary to pay such costs shall be used to grant conditional loans to eligible students.
The Washington interstate commission on higher education professional student exchange program trust fund is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from loan repayment shall be deposited into the fund. Only the office, or its designee, may authorize expenditures from the fund. No appropriation is required for expenditures from this fund.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 121; 2004 c 275 § 23; 1995 c 217 § 1; 1985 c 370 § 18; 1974 ex.s. c 4 § 4; ]
The office shall periodically advise the governor and the legislature of the policy implications of the state of Washington's participation in the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education student exchange programs as they affect long-range planning for post-secondary education, together with recommendations on the most efficient way to provide high cost or special educational programs to Washington residents.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 122; 1985 c 370 § 19; 1974 ex.s. c 4 § 5; ]
Recipients of the Washington scholars award or the Washington scholars-alternate award under RCW 28A.600.100 through 28A.600.150 who choose to attend an independent college or university in this state, as defined in subsection (4) of this section, and recipients of the award named after June 30, 1994, who choose to attend a public college or university in the state may receive grants under this section if moneys are available. The office shall distribute grants to eligible students under this section from moneys appropriated for this purpose. The individual grants shall not exceed, on a yearly basis, the yearly, full-time, resident, undergraduate tuition and service and activities fees in effect at the state-funded research universities. Grants to recipients attending an independent institution shall be contingent upon the institution matching on at least a dollar-for-dollar basis, either with actual money or by a waiver of fees, the amount of the grant received by the student from the state. The office shall establish procedures, by rule, to disburse the awards as direct grants to the students.
The office shall establish rules that provide for the annual awarding of grants, if moneys are available, to three Washington scholars per legislative district except for fiscal year 2007 when no more than two scholars per district shall be selected; and, if not used by an original recipient, to the Washington scholars-alternate from the same legislative district.
Beginning with scholars selected in the year 2000, if the recipients of grants fail to demonstrate in a timely manner that they will enroll in a Washington institution of higher education in the fall term of the academic year following the award of the grant or are deemed by the office to have withdrawn from college during the first academic year following the award, then the grant shall be considered relinquished. The office may then award any remaining grant amounts to the Washington scholars-alternate from the same legislative district if the grants are awarded within one calendar year of the recipient being named a Washington scholars-alternate. Washington scholars-alternates named as recipients of the grant must also demonstrate in a timely manner that they will enroll in a Washington institution of higher education during the next available term, as determined by the office. The office may accept appeals and grant waivers to the enrollment requirements of this section based on exceptional mitigating circumstances of individual grant recipients.
To maintain eligibility for the grants, recipients must maintain a minimum grade point average at the college or university equivalent to 3.30. Students shall be eligible to receive a maximum of twelve quarters or eight semesters of grants for undergraduate study and may transfer among in-state public and independent colleges and universities during that period and continue to receive the grant as provided under RCW 28B.76.665. If the student's cumulative grade point average falls below 3.30 during the first three quarters or two semesters, that student may petition the office which shall have the authority to establish a probationary period until such time as the student's grade point average meets required standards.
No grant shall be awarded to any student who is pursuing a degree in theology.
As used in this section, "independent college or university" means a private, nonprofit educational institution, the main campus of which is permanently situated in the state, open to residents of the state, providing programs of education beyond the high school level leading at least to the baccalaureate degree, and accredited by the northwest association of schools and colleges as of June 9, 1988, and other institutions as may be developed that are approved by the office of financial management as meeting equivalent standards as those institutions accredited under this section.
As used in this section, "public college or university" means an institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 123; 2005 c 518 § 917; 2004 c 275 § 24; 1999 c 159 § 3; 1995 1st sp.s. c 5 § 3; 1990 c 33 § 560; 1988 c 210 § 1; ]
Students receiving grants under RCW 28B.76.660 or waivers under *RCW 28B.15.543 are entitled to transfer among in-state public and independent colleges or universities and to continue to receive award benefits, as provided in this section, in the form of a grant or waiver of tuition and services and activities fees while enrolled at such institutions during the period of eligibility. The total grants or waivers for any one student shall not exceed twelve quarters or eight semesters of undergraduate study.
Scholars named to the award on or before June 30, 1994, may transfer between in-state public institutions, or from an eligible independent college or university to an in-state public institution of higher education, and are entitled to receive the waiver of tuition and services and activities fees.
Scholars named to the award on or before June 30, 1994, may transfer from an in-state public institution to an eligible independent college or university, or between eligible independent colleges or universities, and continue to receive a grant contingent upon available funding.
Scholars named to the award after June 30, 1994, may transfer among in-state public or private colleges and universities and continue to receive the grant contingent upon available funding.
In addition, scholars who transfer to an eligible independent institution may receive the grant contingent upon the agreement of the school to match on at least a dollar-for-dollar basis, either with actual money or by a waiver of fees, the amount of the grant received by the student from the state.
[ 2004 c 275 § 25; 1995 1st sp.s. c 5 § 4; 1988 c 210 § 2; ]
Recipients of the Washington award for vocational excellence under RCW 28C.04.520 through 28C.04.550, who receive the award after June 30, 1994, may receive a grant, if funds are available. The grant shall be used to attend a postsecondary institution located in the state of Washington. Recipients may attend an institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, or an independent college or university, or a licensed private vocational school. The office shall distribute grants to eligible students under this section from moneys appropriated for this purpose. The individual grants shall not exceed, on a yearly basis, the yearly, full-time, resident, undergraduate tuition and service and activities fees in effect at the state-funded research universities. In consultation with the workforce training and education coordinating board, the office shall establish procedures, by rule, to disburse the awards as direct grants to the students.
To qualify for the grant, recipients shall enter the postsecondary institution within three years of high school graduation and maintain a minimum grade point average at the institution equivalent to 3.00, or, at a technical college, an above average rating. Students shall be eligible to receive a maximum of two years of grants for undergraduate study and may transfer among in-state eligible postsecondary institutions during that period and continue to receive the grant.
No grant may be awarded to any student who is pursuing a degree in theology.
As used in this section, "independent college or university" means a private, nonprofit educational institution, the main campus of which is permanently situated in the state, open to residents of the state, providing programs of education beyond the high school level leading at least to the baccalaureate degree, and accredited by the Northwest association of schools and colleges as of June 9, 1988, and other institutions as may be developed that are approved by the *higher education coordinating board as meeting equivalent standards as those institutions accredited under this section.
As used in this section, "licensed private vocational school" means a private postsecondary institution, located in the state, licensed by the workforce training and education coordinating board under chapter 28C.10 RCW, and offering postsecondary education in order to prepare persons for a vocation or profession, as defined in RCW 28C.10.020(7).
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 124; 1995 1st sp.s. c 7 § 8; ]
The legislature finds that certain tuition policies in Oregon state are more responsive to the needs of students living in economic regions that cross the state border than the Washington state policies. Under Oregon policy, students who are Washington residents may enroll at Portland State University for eight credits or less and pay the same tuition as Oregon residents. Further, the state of Oregon passed legislation in 1997 to begin providing to its community colleges the same level of state funding for students residing in bordering states as students residing in Oregon.
The legislature intends to build on the recent Oregon initiatives regarding tuition policy for students in bordering states and to facilitate regional planning for higher education delivery by creating a project on resident tuition rates in Washington counties that border Oregon state.
[ 2003 c 159 § 1; 2002 c 130 § 1; 1999 c 320 § 1; ]
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The border county higher education opportunity project is created. The purpose of the project is to allow Washington institutions of higher education that are located in counties on the Oregon border to implement tuition policies that correspond to Oregon policies. Under the border county project, Columbia Basin Community College, Clark College, Lower Columbia Community College, Grays Harbor Community College, and Walla Walla Community College may enroll students who reside in the bordering Oregon counties of Columbia, Gilliam, Hood River, Multnomah, Clatsop, Clackamas, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, and Washington at resident tuition rates.
The Tri-Cities and Vancouver branches of Washington State University may enroll students who reside in the bordering Oregon counties of Columbia, Multnomah, Clatsop, Clackamas, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, and Washington for eight credits or less at resident tuition rates.
Columbia Basin Community College, Clark College, Lower Columbia Community College, Grays Harbor Community College, and Walla Walla Community College may enroll students at resident tuition rates who:
Are currently domiciled in Washington;
Relocated to Washington from one of the thirteen counties identified in subsection (1)(a) of this section within the previous twelve months; and
Were domiciled in one of the thirteen counties identified in subsection (1)(a) of this section for at least ninety days immediately before relocating to Washington.
The Tri-Cities and Vancouver branches of Washington State University may enroll students for eight credits or less at resident tuition rates who:
Are currently domiciled in Washington;
Relocated to Washington from one of the nine counties identified in subsection (1)(b) of this section within the previous twelve months; and
Were domiciled in one of the nine counties identified in subsection (1)(b) of this section for at least ninety days immediately before relocating to Washington.
Washington institutions of higher education participating in the project shall give priority program enrollment to Washington residents.
[ 2009 c 158 § 1; 2003 c 159 § 2; 2002 c 130 § 2; 2000 c 160 § 3; 1999 c 320 § 2; ]
The office shall administer Washington's participation in the border county higher education opportunity project.
[ 2011 1st sp.s. c 11 § 125; 2003 c 159 § 3; 2002 c 130 § 4; 1999 c 320 § 3; ]
Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the office shall administer a student teaching grant program to provide additional funds to student teachers at Title I public common schools in Washington.
To qualify for the grant, recipients must be enrolled in a Washington professional educator standards board-approved teacher preparation program, be completing or about to start student teaching at a Title I public common school, and demonstrate financial need, as defined by the office and consistent with the income criteria required to receive the Washington college grant created in chapter 28B.92 RCW or applicable rules.
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Beginning December 1, 2020, and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036, the office must submit a biennial report to the appropriate committees of the legislature. The report must provide the following information:
Aggregate data on the number of persons who applied for and received the grants awarded under this section, including teacher preparation program type, student teaching school district, and award amount;
To the maximum extent practicable, aggregate data on where grant recipients are teaching two years and five years after obtaining a teacher certificate, and whether grant recipients remain teaching in Title I public common schools; and
Recommendations for modifying the grant program.
The education data center must collaborate with the office to provide the data needed for the report required under this section.
The office shall establish rules for administering the grants under this section.
[ 2019 c 406 § 41; 2019 c 295 § 206; 2016 c 233 § 17; ]
The teacher endorsement and certification help program, known as the TEACH program, is created.
The student achievement council, after consultation with the Washington professional educator standards board, shall have the power and duty to develop and adopt rules as necessary under chapter 34.05 RCW to administer the program described in this section. The rules, which must be adopted by November 1, 2019, must include:
A TEACH grant application process;
A financial need verification process;
The order of priority in which the applications will be approved; and
A process for disbursing TEACH grant awards to selected applicants.
A student seeking a TEACH grant to cover the costs of basic skills and content tests required for initial teacher certification and endorsement must submit an application to the student achievement council, following the rules developed under this section.
To qualify for financial assistance, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
Be enrolled in, have applied to, or have completed a Washington professional educator standards board-approved teacher preparation program;
Demonstrate financial need, as defined by the office of student financial assistance and consistent with the income criteria required to receive the state need grant established in chapter 28B.92 RCW or applicable rules;
Apply for a TEACH grant under this section; and
Register for an endorsement competency test in one or more endorsement shortage areas, where "shortage area" has the definition in RCW 28B.102.020.
Beginning November 1, 2019, the student achievement council, in collaboration with the Washington professional educator standards board, shall award a TEACH grant to a student who meets the qualifications listed in this section and in rules developed under this section. The TEACH grant award must cover the costs of basic skills and content tests required for initial teacher certification. The council shall prioritize TEACH grant awards first to applicants registered for competency tests in endorsement shortage areas and second to applicants with greatest financial need. The council shall scale the number of TEACH grant awards to the amount of funds appropriated for this purpose.
The student achievement council and the Washington professional educator standards board shall include information about the TEACH program in materials distributed to schools and students.
Beginning December 1, 2020, and by December 1st each even-numbered year thereafter, in compliance with RCW 43.01.036, the student achievement council, in collaboration with the Washington professional educator standards board, shall submit a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature that details the effectiveness and costs of the program. The report must:
Compare the numbers and demographic information of students taking and passing tests in the endorsement shortage areas before and after implementation of the program;
Determine the amount of TEACH grants awarded each year and per student;
Compare the numbers and demographic information of students obtaining teaching certificates with endorsement competencies in the endorsement shortage areas before and after implementation of the program; and
Recommend whether the program should be modified, continued, and expanded.
[ 2019 c 295 § 208; 2016 c 233 § 16; ]
The legislature recognizes that dual credit programs reduce both the cost and time of attendance to obtain a postsecondary degree. The legislature intends to reduce barriers and increase access to postsecondary educational opportunities for low-income students by removing the financial barriers for dual enrollment programs for students.
The office, in consultation with the institutions of higher education and the office of the superintendent of public instruction, shall create the Washington dual enrollment scholarship pilot program. The office shall administer the Washington dual enrollment scholarship pilot program and may adopt rules as necessary.
Eligible students are those who meet the following requirements:
Qualify for the free or reduced-price lunch program;
Are enrolled in one or more dual credit programs, as defined in RCW 28B.15.821, such as college in the high school and running start; and
Have at least a 2.0 grade point average.
Subject to availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, beginning with the 2019-20 academic year, the office may award scholarships to eligible students. The scholarship award must be as follows:
For eligible students enrolled in running start:
Mandatory fees, as defined in RCW 28A.600.310(2), prorated based on credit load;
Course fees or laboratory fees as determined appropriate by college or university policies to pay for specified course related costs;
A textbook voucher to be used at the institution of higher education's bookstore where the student is enrolled. For every credit per quarter the student is enrolled, the student shall receive a textbook voucher for ten dollars, up to a maximum of fifteen credits per quarter, or the equivalent, per year; and
Apprenticeship materials as determined appropriate by the college or university to pay for specific course-related material costs, which may include occupation-specific tools, work clothes, rain gear, or boots.
An eligible student enrolled in a college in the high school program may receive a scholarship for tuition fees as set forth under RCW 28A.600.287.
The Washington dual enrollment scholarship pilot program must apply after the fee waivers for low-income students under RCW 28A.600.310 and subsidies under RCW 28A.600.290 are provided for.
[ 2021 c 71 § 6; 2020 c 259 § 1; 2019 c 176 § 1; ]