SB 5828 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning the Washington college grant and college bound scholarship program for students attending private four-year not-for-profit institutions of higher education in Washington.

SB 5828 adjusts the maximum Washington College Grant amount for students attending private four-year nonprofit institutions in Washington. Currently capped at $9,739 for 2019-20 (with annual increases limited by tuition growth), the grant will change starting in 2026-27 to equal 50% of the average award given to students at public four-year institutions. This directly affects students enrolled at qualifying private nonprofit colleges in Washington, ensuring their grant amount aligns with public institution funding trends. The bill amends existing grant program rules without altering eligibility for the separate College Bound Scholarship program.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Dec 4, 2025 Last action Mar 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Substitute Bill · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to reflect its progression through the legislative process, moving from initial sponsorship to committee consideration. The most significant substantive change involves increasing the funding percentage for the Washington College Grant for students at private four-year not-for-profit institutions from 50% to 90% of the average award given to public regional universities and the state college, while also refining the definition of the comparison group to include the state college.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding eligibility and institution definitions remains unchanged, but the financial scope for private four-year not-for-profit institutions has been significantly expanded.
FISCAL

Increased the Washington College Grant award for private four-year not-for-profit institutions from 50% to 90% of the average award granted to public regional universities and the state college, starting in the 2026-27 academic year.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of the comparison group for private institution grants to explicitly include 'regional universities and the state college' instead of just 'public research institutions'.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill title from 'SENATE BILL' to 'SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL' and updated the procedural history to indicate it was read first time on 02/09/26 and referred to the Senate Ways & Means committee.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

428
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 51
Feb 17, 2026
D Democratic31
24 Yea 7 Nay
77% Yea
R Republican20
18 Yea 1 Nay 1
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
10
Committee
12
Mar 2, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Public hearing and executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (42-8-1)
senate
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means.
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
And refer to Ways & Means.
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
HEWD - Majority; do pass.
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM.
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Higher Education & Workforce Development at 1:30 PM.
upper
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors