HB 2567
In CommitteeHouse
College scholarships/private
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.
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 increases financial aid support for low-income and foster/adopted students attending private, four-year, not-for-profit colleges in Washington by raising scholarship caps and streamlining automatic enrollment. It also updates how awards are calculated for private colleges beginning in 2026–27.
- Raises the maximum Washington College Grant award for students at private four-year, not-for-profit colleges in Washington to 50% of the average award at public research universities starting in the 2026–27 academic year (up from a fixed cap that grew slowly until 2025–26).
- Raises the Washington College Bound Scholarship award for students at private four-year, not-for-profit colleges to 50% of the average award at public research universities starting in 2027–28 (up from the higher of the 2014–15 average or current average through 2026–27).
- Expands automatic enrollment in the College Bound Scholarship to include students who qualify for free/reduced-price lunch in grades 7–12, including those in foster care or who were adopted between ages 14–18.
- Requires the Office of Student Financial Assistance to automatically enroll eligible students and work with schools and state agencies to identify and notify them.
- Clarifies eligibility rules for students who were dependents of the state (under chapter 13.34 RCW) and for those who were adopted after age 14 with a negotiated agreement including scholarship eligibility.
Who is affected
- Low-income and foster/adopted students — Students who qualified for free or reduced-price lunch in middle or high school, especially those in foster care or who were adopted between ages 14–18, gain automatic enrollment and expanded access to scholarships for private colleges.
- Students at private four-year colleges in Washington — Students attending private, four-year, not-for-profit colleges in Washington (e.g., Seattle University, Gonzaga, Whitworth) will see their scholarship cap increase starting in 2026–27 to match half the average award given to students at public research universities.
- Office of Student Financial Assistance and state agencies — The state office responsible for student financial aid must automate enrollment, notify students, and coordinate with schools and child welfare agencies to identify eligible students.
- School districts and state child welfare agencies — School districts and state departments (e.g., OSPI, DCYF) must share student data to help identify eligible students and support outreach efforts.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Automatic enrollment in the College Bound Scholarship for students who qualify for free/reduced-price lunch—including those in foster care or adopted between ages 14–18—dramatically reduces administrative barriers and helps ensure historically underserved students receive the aid they qualify for.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (1)(a)(ii), (1)(b), (1)(c)Raising the Washington College Grant cap for private four-year colleges to 50% of public research university awards significantly increases the purchasing power of low-income students at institutions like Seattle University or Gonzaga, reducing reliance on private loans and improving access to high-quality, regionally accredited education.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 1, subsection (5)(b)(ii)Mandating automatic enrollment and requiring coordination with schools and child welfare agencies ensures that students who are most at risk of falling through the cracks—especially foster youth and adoptees—are proactively identified and supported, improving equity of access.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (2)(a)–(c)Expanding eligibility to include youth adopted after age 14 with a negotiated agreement ensures continuity of support for a uniquely vulnerable group (older foster-to-adopt youth), recognizing their heightened risk of aging out without support and reinforcing state responsibility for their educational success.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (1)(c)By increasing postsecondary access and completion for low-income and foster/adopted youth—groups with historically high rates of unemployment, incarceration, and homelessness—the bill may contribute to long-term reductions in crime and social service dependency.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (5)(b)(ii)
Potential Concerns (5)
The bill increases state spending by raising scholarship caps for private four-year colleges to 50% of public research university awards, which may cost tens of millions annually; this could divert funds from broader K–12 or community college needs, potentially increasing pressure on state education budgets over time.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 1, subsection (5)(b)(ii)While the bill improves access for some low-income students to private colleges, it does not address underlying affordability challenges at those institutions—many of which have high sticker prices and limited need-based aid—so students may still face significant unmet need or be incentivized to enroll in less-transparent or lower-completion-rate private colleges.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (5)(b)(ii)School districts and state agencies (e.g., OSPI, DCYF) must share student data and assist with outreach, imposing new administrative burdens and potential compliance costs on local entities without dedicated state reimbursement.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (1)(d)By focusing on private four-year colleges (which often have high room-and-board costs), the bill may indirectly increase pressure on local rental markets near those campuses, especially for low-income students who must find housing outside campus—though this effect is modest and speculative.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (5)(b)(ii)The bill does not include safeguards to ensure that increased aid translates into improved graduation or job placement outcomes at private colleges, potentially leading to wasted public funds if students drop out or fail to enter high-wage employment.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (5)(b)(ii)
Who Is Most Affected
Low-income students—especially those in foster care or adopted after age 14—gain automatic enrollment and significantly increased aid for private college, reducing financial barriers to enrollment and completion. However, they may still face unmet need if private college costs outpace aid increases.
Students at private four-year, not-for-profit colleges benefit from higher scholarship caps, improving affordability and potentially increasing enrollment among low-income applicants. However, institutions may face pressure to maintain high aid levels without guaranteed long-term state funding stability.
The Office of Student Financial Assistance gains new responsibilities for data sharing, outreach, and automated enrollment, requiring increased staffing and interagency coordination—but this is offset by improved program efficiency and reduced long-term administrative burden from manual enrollment.
School districts and DCYF must share student data and support outreach, adding administrative work without direct funding—but this may improve interagency coordination and help identify at-risk students earlier, with long-term benefits for student outcomes.
Private four-year colleges benefit from increased student purchasing power and potentially higher enrollment, especially among low-income students. However, they may face increased expectations to maintain generous aid packages without corresponding state funding increases beyond the cap.