SB 5785 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Modifying students' share of the education costs at institutions of higher education.

This bill modifies the Washington college grant and college bound scholarship programs, impacting students seeking financial aid for higher education in Washington state. It codifies the maximum eligibility for the Washington college grant to students with family incomes up to 60 percent of the state median family income. The bill also adjusts how maximum grant amounts are calculated for various institutions, including private universities and apprenticeship programs, with some changes taking effect in the 2026-27 academic year. Additionally, it updates criteria for institutional eligibility, specifically for out-of-state affiliated institutions, to participate in these financial aid programs.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Mar 7, 2025 Signed May 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill → Substitute Passed Legislature · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill finalizes changes to Washington's financial aid programs, specifically the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship. The most significant update is a new funding formula for private institutions: starting in the 2026-27 academic year, grants for private four-year and two-year not-for-profit schools will be set at 50% of the average award given to public research universities and community colleges, respectively. Additionally, the bill restores eligibility for four-year private for-profit institutions and Western Governors University-Washington, which had been removed in a previous version, while setting a fixed dollar amount for WGU-Washington. The legislation also clarifies the timeline for these new funding calculations to begin.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Washington College Grant to include four-year private for-profit institutions and Western Governors University-Washington, which were previously excluded in earlier drafts. It also modifies the scope of the College Bound Scholarship to apply new funding formulas to private four-year and two-year not-for-profit institutions starting in 2027.

FISCAL

Establishes a new funding formula where grants for private four-year and two-year not-for-profit institutions will be 50% of the average awards given to public research universities and community colleges, starting in the 2026-27 academic year.

Sets a fixed annual award of $4,150 for Western Governors University-Washington students starting in the 2026-27 academic year.

ELIGIBILITY

Restores eligibility for four-year private for-profit institutions and Western Governors University-Washington to receive Washington College Grant funds, reversing a previous exclusion.

TIMELINE

Extends the temporary fixed funding rates for private for-profit institutions and WGU-Washington until the end of the 2025-26 academic year before the new percentage-based formula takes effect.

TECHNICAL

Adds a formal certification of enrollment page to the bill text, documenting the final passage by the Senate and House with specific vote counts.

Bill → Substitute Bill · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship programs to codify eligibility based on 60% of the state median family income and adjusts award amounts and terms. It significantly expands the definition of eligible institutions to include specific private colleges and apprenticeship programs while removing certain for-profit exclusions. The bill also repeals an older financial need calculation method and establishes new effective dates for these changes.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of eligible institutions for the Washington College Grant to include specific private four-year and two-year not-for-profit schools, Western Governors University-Washington, and approved apprenticeship programs, whereas previous versions had more restrictive definitions.

ELIGIBILITY

Codified the Washington College Grant maximum award eligibility threshold to 60 percent of the state median family income, replacing previous income brackets and prorated award structures.

DEFINITION

Amended the definition of 'institution of higher education' to explicitly include specific private not-for-profit institutions, Western Governors University-Washington, and approved apprenticeship programs.

FISCAL

Adjusted the maximum Washington College Grant award amounts for private institutions to be tied to the average awards given to students at state colleges and regional universities starting in the 2026-27 academic year.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement that students must receive specific types of public assistance (such as aged, blind, or disabled benefits) to qualify for the Washington College Grant.

Repealed the previous RCW section defining financial need for the Washington College Grant and replaced it with a new section focusing on the 60% income threshold.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the act from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2025, and updated the effective date for the Washington College Bound Scholarship to July 1, 2025.

SCOPE

Removed provisions related to tuition fee caps for resident undergraduates and nonresident undergraduates at state universities and community colleges.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 25, 2025 · House Apr 24, 2025

How they voted

30–20

Passed

Total votes 50

Apr 25, 2025

D Democratic30

29 Yea 1 Nay

96% Yea

R Republican20

1 Yea 19 Nay

95% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 20, 2025

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Apr 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Apr 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed final passage; yeas, 28; nays, 20; absent, 0; excused, 0.

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate concurred in House amendments.

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

lower

Apr 24, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (56-44)

house

Apr 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.

lower

Apr 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; without recommendation.

upper

Apr 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Apr 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 9:00 AM.

upper

Mar 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors