HB 1495
In CommitteeHouse
College promise pilot
Establishing a college promise pilot program.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill launches a pilot program in eastern Washington to help students afford college or career training by offering up to $5,000 per year for eligible students and full two-year tuition coverage for students at three selected high schools. It pairs private donations with state matching funds and includes reporting requirements to evaluate success.
- Establishes a college promise pilot program in 10 eastern Washington counties, offering up to $5,000 per year for tuition and fees to eligible students.
- Eligible students must graduate from a high school in the region, enroll in a postsecondary program within one year, apply for financial aid, have family income at or below 150% of state median, and participate in a mentoring program.
- Creates a high school promise pilot program within the larger initiative, offering full two-year tuition coverage at community colleges for students from three selected high schools in the most populous eastern county.
- Requires a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered east of the Cascades to administer the programs and match private donations with state funds on a 1:1 basis.
- Creates a match transfer account managed by the state treasurer, with expenditures limited to the amount of private contributions received, and requires reporting to the legislature by December 1, 2028.
Who is affected
- Students in eastern Washington — High school graduates from 10 eastern Washington counties who enroll in college, apprenticeships, or credential programs within one year of graduation and meet income and aid-application requirements. They may receive up to $5,000 per year to help pay for tuition and fees.
- Selected high schools in eastern Washington — Three specific high schools in the most populous eastern Washington county (one small public school, one project-based school, and one junior-senior-only school) that will pilot a two-year, full-tuition community college program for their graduating students.
- Nonprofit service provider in eastern Washington — A registered nonprofit (501(c)(3)) headquartered east of the Cascades that provides student services and will administer the pilot programs in partnership with the state.
- State government — State agencies and the legislature, which must track program performance and fund matching contributions based on private donations.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Provides up to $5,000/year in tuition support to low- and moderate-income students (≤150% SMI) who graduate from eastern WA high schools and enroll in postsecondary education within one year—directly reducing financial barriers to college or career training for a population historically underrepresented in higher education.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)The high school promise pilot offers full two-year community college tuition coverage for students at three selected eastern WA high schools, effectively eliminating tuition costs for a subset of students and increasing access to credential pathways in high-demand fields.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 4By requiring students to apply for federal/state aid and participate in mentoring, the program encourages early engagement with financial aid systems and academic support—increasing the likelihood of successful completion and reducing the risk of student loan default.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(a)-(e)The 1:1 state matching of private donations incentivizes local philanthropy and corporate sponsorship in eastern Washington, potentially catalyzing broader private investment in regional education and workforce development.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)Mandated reporting on outcomes (enrollment, completion, transfer) creates accountability and generates data to evaluate program effectiveness—informing future policy decisions about scaling similar initiatives statewide.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 5
Potential Concerns (5)
The income eligibility threshold (150% of state median family income) excludes many working-class families just above the threshold, limiting access to those most likely to need support but not qualify—this creates a cliff effect where small income gains disqualify students from meaningful aid.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(d)The bill appropriates $1.5M total from the general fund over two years to match private donations on a 1:1 basis, but because matching is capped at private contributions received, the state’s fiscal exposure is uncertain and potentially minimal—yet the public funding commitment is fixed and non-renewable after 2029, locking in a small but recurring cost without long-term sustainability.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 6The requirement that students participate in a mentoring program may create administrative burden for small colleges and community-based nonprofits in eastern Washington, potentially diluting resources that could otherwise go directly to student support.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(e)The three selected high schools are narrowly defined (e.g., under 1,000 students, project-based, junior-senior only), limiting geographic and demographic representation within the region and potentially excluding larger or more diverse schools that could benefit from the program.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 4(2)The sunset date (August 1, 2029) and lack of automatic renewal provisions create uncertainty for local colleges and school districts, discouraging long-term planning and investment in infrastructure or staff to support the program beyond the pilot phase.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 5(3)
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and moderate-income students (≤150% SMI) in eastern WA high schools—especially those without family resources to pay for college—are the primary direct beneficiaries. The program removes tuition barriers and provides mentoring support, increasing access to postsecondary education and credential pathways.
Community colleges in eastern WA (e.g., Walla Walla, Yakima, Eastern, Columbia Basin) stand to gain increased enrollment and state recognition, but must absorb administrative costs and potentially expand support services. The program’s limited scope and sunset date reduce long-term predictability.
The selected 501(c)(3) nonprofit will serve as administrator and receive state matching funds, gaining capacity and visibility—but must meet reporting requirements and coordinate across multiple school districts. The role is financially beneficial but operationally demanding.
Families earning above 150% of state median income (e.g., $85K+ for a family of four) are excluded despite facing rising college costs—potentially creating resentment and reinforcing inequities in access to state education subsidies.
State government commits $1.5M over two years but gains little new revenue or long-term obligation—however, the program’s success could inform future broader investments, while its limited scope and sunset may reduce political will for expansion.