HB 2538 requires Washington community and technical colleges to gradually increase part-time faculty pay to 75% of full-time comparable pay by 2028-29, 80% by 2029-30, and 85% by 2030-31 for the same classroom teaching hours. The bill directly affects part-time faculty at these institutions and mandates annual progress reports to the legislature, including data on pay gaps, faculty demographics, and departmental disparities. Colleges must base pay equity on instructional workloads, including class time, preparation, grading, and student support. The law aims to stabilize faculty employment, improve student outcomes, and increase workforce diversity by closing long-standing pay gaps.
SB 5963 connects two Washington state education programs by automatically qualifying students eligible for the Passport to Careers program as income-eligible for the Washington College Grant. This change eliminates the need for separate income verification, streamlining access to college financial aid for qualifying students. The bill amends eligibility rules in the Washington College Grant statute to include Passport to Careers participants starting in the 2026-27 academic year. It directly affects low-income Washington students enrolled in Passport to Careers, expanding their access to free college funding without additional application steps.
HB 2671 amends Washington state's financial aid program to update the calculation of the "Maximum Washington College Grant" for students at public and qualifying private colleges. It sets specific grant amounts for different institution types (public two- or four-year schools, private non-profits, for-profits, and apprenticeships), with most amounts increasing annually based on Washington's wage growth rate. For private institutions, starting in 2026-27, grants will equal 50% of the average award for public research institutions. This directly affects students demonstrating financial need enrolled at eligible Washington higher education institutions, including community colleges, universities, and approved apprenticeship programs. The bill defines key terms like "financial need" and "institution" to clarify eligibility and funding rules.
SB 6082 requires Washington's joint legislative audit committee to conduct a systemic performance audit of fraud in state financial aid programs for higher education institutions. The audit will examine fictitious student enrollments, trends in fraudulent activity (including potential AI use), aid amounts disbursed to fake students, and systemic weaknesses in fraud prevention. It mandates a report to the legislature by December 1, 2027, with recommendations for policy changes, and expires July 1, 2028. This bill directly affects institutions receiving state financial aid and aims to identify gaps in fraud prevention without making immediate policy changes.
HB 2567 updates Washington's college grant program to adjust funding for students attending private four-year non-profit institutions. Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, the maximum grant amount for these students will be set at 50% of the average award given to students at public four-year institutions, replacing the previous fixed amount of $9,739 (adjusted annually for tuition growth). This change directly affects students enrolled at eligible private non-profit universities in Washington state who qualify for financial aid. The bill amends existing grant formulas to align private institution funding more closely with public institution awards, effective after the 2025-26 academic year.
SB 6252 requires Washington transit agencies receiving state grants to provide free rides to students enrolled in degree or certificate programs at community and technical colleges (as defined in RCW 28B.50.030) and to all passengers 18 years and younger. This policy is a condition for grant eligibility, replacing previous requirements for transit agencies to maintain certain sales tax revenues. The bill mandates transit agencies to document this zero-fare policy by October 1, 2022, to qualify for state funding, with the state tracking ridership under this program. It directly affects community/technical college students and transit agencies seeking state transit support grants.
HB 2148 creates Washington's "pay it forward" program to help graduate students cover tuition and fees at public universities. The program provides funding for up to four years of study (or 125% of a program's length), minus any existing state financial aid, for students at University of Washington, Washington State University, regional universities (Western, Central, Eastern), or The Evergreen State College. Participants repay the program after graduation by contributing a percentage of their income (3.5% for regional universities/state college, 5% for state universities) for up to 15 years, with payments tied to the credits taken during their studies. Funding comes from state appropriations, participant contributions, and private donations, held in a dedicated trust fund managed by the Student Achievement Council.
This bill (SB 5859) expands graduation options for Washington state high school students by adding competency-based assessments and performance-based learning experiences as valid pathways to demonstrate college and career readiness. Students can now meet graduation requirements through competency-based assessments in English language arts and math (instead of solely relying on traditional tests) or by completing real-world projects, portfolios, or practicums that align with state learning standards. School districts must offer these new options alongside existing pathways (like standardized tests or dual-credit courses) and provide annual information about all options to students and families. The bill requires the state board to establish rules for evaluating these new pathways, ensuring they meet state standards while giving districts flexibility in implementation.
Washington's SB 5909 requires public universities to review undergraduate programs with fewer than 10 graduates annually over five years. After three consecutive years on the review list, institutions must consider discontinuing such programs unless they demonstrate factors like newness, workforce demand, equity needs, or accreditation requirements. If discontinued, schools must create a "teach-out plan" to help current students complete their degrees. The bill mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing all reviewed programs, decisions, and financial/student outcome data.
SB 5825 authorizes the Washington State Leadership Board to accept gifts, grants, and endowments from public or private sources to support its existing programs. The board, which administers initiatives like Washington World Fellows (a college readiness fellowship) and Boundless Washington (an outdoor leadership program for youth with disabilities), can now use these funds to expand its mission of fostering youth leadership and civic engagement. The bill explicitly states that private donations must supplement, not replace, state appropriations and must be used for programs not previously funded by the legislature. It requires the board to publicly report all funds received and expenditures on its website.
