HB 2586
In CommitteeHouse
Passport to careers program
Modifying funding for the passport to careers program and eligibility for the Washington college grant.
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 Passport to Careers program to include more low-income high school students and youth in or transitioning out of foster care, and links eligibility for the program with automatic qualification for the Washington College Grant. It also ensures long-term funding stability by placing Passport to Careers funds in the State Financial Aid Account.
- Expands the Passport to Careers program to include high school students in 10th–12th grade who are members of households receiving Washington basic food benefits (starting in 2025–26) or who are eligible for the program based on foster care or homelessness status (starting in 2026–27).
- Allows students who qualify for the Passport to Careers program to automatically qualify as income-eligible for the Washington College Grant, streamlining access to both programs.
- Permanently includes the Passport to Careers program in the State Financial Aid Account, ensuring funds can be carried over and used across fiscal years without lapsing.
- Clarifies that the program covers occupational-specific costs (e.g., tools, uniforms, fees) for apprentices and preapprentices, in addition to tuition and other standard costs of attendance.
- Requires the Office of Student Financial Assistance to implement automatic eligibility linkage between the Passport to Careers program and the Washington College Grant for qualifying students.
Who is affected
- Youth in or transitioning out of foster care and homeless youth — Students who are currently or were recently in foster care (including those in state, federal, or tribal systems) or experiencing homelessness may now qualify for the Passport to Careers program, which provides financial and support services to help them complete postsecondary education or apprenticeships.
- Low-income high school students and their families — High school students in 10th–12th grade whose families receive public assistance (e.g., basic food, ABD, pregnant women assistance) may now automatically qualify for the Washington College Grant if they meet Passport to Careers eligibility criteria.
- Apprentices and preapprentices — Students enrolled in or accepted into state-approved apprenticeship or preapprenticeship programs can receive financial support through the Passport to Careers program to cover costs like tools, uniforms, and tuition.
- State agencies and financial aid administrators — The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) and Student Achievement Council will administer the expanded Passport to Careers program, including eligibility determinations, disbursement of funds, and coordination with educational institutions.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
Expands access to free postsecondary education—including tuition, fees, and occupational-specific costs—for low-income high school students (via basic food eligibility) and youth in foster care or experiencing homelessness, directly reducing financial barriers to credentials and degrees.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2, RCW 28B.92.200(5)(a)(iv) and (v); Sec. 1, RCW 28B.76.525(2)Permanently embeds Passport to Careers in the State Financial Aid Account, enabling carryover funds and private contributions, which improves program stability and reduces administrative disruption—benefiting students who rely on predictable funding to complete credentials.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 28B.76.525(3) and (4); Sec. 2, RCW 28B.92.200(1)Explicitly includes occupational-specific costs (e.g., tools, uniforms, boots) in the definition of 'cost of attendance' for apprentices and preapprentices, removing a major out-of-pocket barrier for low-income youth entering skilled trades.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 3, RCW 28B.117.020(9)Streamlines eligibility by linking Passport to Careers to Washington College Grant access, reducing administrative burden and stigma for vulnerable students—but does not expand substantive rights beyond existing public assistance criteria.
Rights & LibertiesRef: Sec. 2, RCW 28B.92.200(5)(a)(iii)–(v)By covering occupational-specific costs and tuition for apprentices, the bill supports pathways to stable, well-paying jobs—reducing long-term housing insecurity for low-income youth, though effects are indirect and medium-to-long term.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 2, RCW 28B.92.200(5)(a)(iv) and (v); Sec. 1, RCW 28B.76.525(2)
Potential Concerns (5)
Expands access to free postsecondary education—including tuition, fees, and occupational-specific costs—for low-income high school students (via basic food eligibility) and youth in foster care or experiencing homelessness, directly reducing financial barriers to credentials and degrees.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2, RCW 28B.92.200(5)(a)(iv) and (v); Sec. 1, RCW 28B.76.525(2)Permanently embeds Passport to Careers in the State Financial Aid Account, enabling carryover funds and private contributions, which improves program stability and reduces administrative disruption—benefiting students who rely on predictable funding to complete credentials.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 28B.76.525(3) and (4); Sec. 2, RCW 28B.92.200(1)Explicitly includes occupational-specific costs (e.g., tools, uniforms, boots) in the definition of 'cost of attendance' for apprentices and preapprentices, removing a major out-of-pocket barrier for low-income youth entering skilled trades.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 3, RCW 28B.117.020(9)Streamlines eligibility by linking Passport to Careers to Washington College Grant access, reducing administrative burden and stigma for vulnerable students—but does not expand substantive rights beyond existing public assistance criteria.
Rights & LibertiesRef: Sec. 2, RCW 28B.92.200(5)(a)(iii)–(v)By covering occupational-specific costs and tuition for apprentices, the bill supports pathways to stable, well-paying jobs—reducing long-term housing insecurity for low-income youth, though effects are indirect and medium-to-long term.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 2, RCW 28B.92.200(5)(a)(iv) and (v); Sec. 1, RCW 28B.76.525(2)
Who Is Most Affected
This group gains direct financial support for postsecondary education and apprenticeships, with automatic linkage to the Washington College Grant removing administrative barriers. The expansion to include basic food recipients significantly broadens eligibility to low-income high school students who previously had no clear path to free college.
Youth in or transitioning out of foster care gain eligibility starting in 2026–27, with coverage for tuition, fees, tools, and uniforms—critical for entering high-demand trades. This addresses a known gap in postsecondary access for this high-risk, low-graduation-rate population.
Apprentices and preapprentices benefit from explicit inclusion of occupational-specific costs (e.g., boots, tools), which are often prohibitive for low-income entrants. This directly supports completion and retention in high-wage apprenticeship programs.
The Office of Student Financial Assistance gains statutory authority to administer the expanded program with improved funding stability (carryover, private contributions), but must scale operations to handle broader eligibility and automatic linkage—requiring additional staff and system updates.
Community colleges and technical colleges—especially those with strong apprenticeship pipelines—will see increased enrollment and reduced student attrition due to financial support for tools and uniforms. However, they may face administrative costs in verifying eligibility and coordinating with OSFA.