HB 1568
In CommitteeHouse
Financial aid eligibility
Modifying financial aid eligibility.
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 expands the Washington College Grant to cover more students—including those with family incomes up to 100% of the state median family income—and adds a new $500 annual bridge grant for qualifying low-income students to help cover living and education-related costs beyond tuition. It also adjusts income thresholds for receiving the full grant amount.
- Expands Washington College Grant eligibility to students with family incomes up to 100% of the state median family income (up from 70%), with prorated awards for incomes between 71% and 100%.
- Increases the income threshold for receiving the maximum grant to students with family incomes up to 70% of the state median family income (up from 55% in prior years).
- Creates a new $500 annual bridge grant for students who receive the maximum Washington College Grant but do *not* receive the College Bound Scholarship.
- Requires the bridge grant to be applied after all other gift aid, and only to students enrolled at least half-time (prorated for less-than-half-time enrollment).
- Defines the bridge grant as support for expenses beyond tuition and fees—including books, supplies, technology, transportation, housing, and child care.
Who is affected
- Low- and middle-income students — Students from low- and middle-income families who apply for the Washington College Grant will be eligible for larger or unchanged grant amounts depending on income level, with expanded eligibility up to 100% of state median family income.
- Students receiving the maximum Washington College Grant (but not the College Bound Scholarship) — Students who receive the maximum Washington College Grant but do not qualify for the College Bound Scholarship will receive an additional $500 annual bridge grant to help cover non-tuition costs like housing, books, and childcare.
- Institutions of higher education in Washington — Higher education institutions (community colleges, state universities, and private colleges in Washington) will administer and disburse the bridge grant as part of students' financial aid packages.
- State agencies managing financial aid programs — State agencies—specifically the Student Access Commission (which administers the Washington College Grant) and the Higher Education Student Assistance Commission (which administers the College Bound Scholarship)—will manage program implementation and coordination.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Expanding Washington College Grant eligibility to students with family incomes up to 100% of state median family income (up from 70%) significantly broadens access to need-based aid, helping low- and middle-income students—especially those just above prior thresholds—cover tuition at public institutions without taking on as much debt.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 28B.92.205(2)(a)The $500 annual bridge grant for students receiving the maximum Washington College Grant but *not* the College Bound Scholarship directly addresses non-tuition costs (e.g., housing, childcare, transportation) that often prevent low-income students from persisting or completing college—particularly helping those just above the College Bound Scholarship income threshold.
EducationPeopleRef: NEW SECTION, Sec. 2(1)Prorated grants for incomes between 81–90% and 91–100% of state median family income (at 25% and 10% of maximum, respectively) provide meaningful support to working-class families who earn too much for full need-based aid under prior rules but still struggle with college costs—reducing reliance on high-interest loans.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 28B.92.205(2)(b)(ii)Explicit inclusion of non-tuition expenses—childcare, transportation, housing, technology—in the bridge grant definition acknowledges real barriers to college completion for low-income students, especially single parents and first-generation students, increasing equity in access and outcomes.
EducationPeopleRef: NEW SECTION, Sec. 2(5)Requiring the bridge grant to be applied *after* all other gift aid prevents duplication and ensures students don’t lose other aid due to the new award—protecting the net financial benefit for students and improving program integrity.
EducationLean peopleRef: NEW SECTION, Sec. 2(4)
Potential Concerns (1)
The bill increases state spending by an estimated $30M in year 1 and $45M annually thereafter, which—while funded through general revenue—may crowd out other public investments or require future tax increases or service cuts if revenues decline, disproportionately affecting lower-income residents who rely most on public services.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 28B.92.205(2)(b)(iii)
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and middle-income students (family income ≤100% SMFI) gain expanded tuition support and a new $500 stipend for non-tuition costs, reducing loan dependency and improving persistence—especially those just above prior eligibility thresholds.
Students receiving the maximum Washington College Grant but not the College Bound Scholarship (often due to slightly higher income or timing of application) gain $500/year to cover living costs—helping them avoid dropping out due to financial strain.
Community colleges and state universities will administer the bridge grant and may see increased enrollment and retention among low-income students, but face no new costs—this is a net positive with minimal administrative burden.
State agencies (Student Access Commission and Higher Education Student Assistance Commission) will manage implementation, but the bill provides no new funding for staffing or systems—potentially straining existing capacity without additional support.
Families earning just above 70% SMFI (e.g., ~$55K–$79K for a family of 4 in 2025) gain meaningful aid they previously did not qualify for, reducing out-of-pocket college costs—but higher-income families (>100% SMFI) see no benefit.