SB 5115
In CommitteeSenate
Service grant program
Creating the Washington dream act service incentive 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
The bill establishes a new grant program for Washington-resident college students who are ineligible for federal financial aid due to immigration status, allowing them to earn grants by completing approved community or volunteer service. Grants are calculated based on service hours and the state minimum wage, and are administered by colleges and the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
- Creates the Washington Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program, administered by the Office of Student Financial Assistance, to award grants to eligible students for community or volunteer service.
- Grants are calculated based on hours of service (up to 19 hours per week), multiplied by the adjusted minimum wage rate from the Department of Labor & Industries, and adjusted for other financial aid received.
- Eligibility requires students to be Washington residents, demonstrate financial need, complete the Washington Application for State Financial Aid, and be enrolled at least half-time — while explicitly excluding students eligible for federal aid due to immigration status.
- Service must be performed for approved organizations (e.g., government agencies, nonprofits, qualifying for-profits), and may not involve religious worship, political advocacy, or self-employment.
- Institutions of higher education verify service hours, calculate awards, and disburse funds at the start of each term; students must re-verify service each term to continue receiving awards.
Who is affected
- Undocumented college students in Washington — Undocumented students who are Washington residents and meet academic and financial need criteria, but are ineligible for federal aid due to immigration status, can receive grants for completing approved community or volunteer service.
- Institutions of higher education in Washington — Public and private colleges and universities in Washington will administer the program by verifying student service hours, calculating awards, and disbursing funds.
- Approved community and volunteer organizations — Nonprofits, government agencies, and qualifying for-profit businesses that host student volunteers must register with the state, track service hours, and ensure compliance with program rules.
- Students in state work-study programs — Students who qualify for state work-study may be less likely to receive this grant, as priority is given to those excluded from work-study.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Creates a direct, non-loan-based financial pathway for undocumented students—who are otherwise excluded from all federal and state need-based aid—to access higher education through service-based grants, reducing barriers to enrollment and completion.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1), Sec. 3(e)By requiring service verification through colleges (not immigration authorities), the program builds trust between undocumented students and educational institutions, encouraging civic engagement while reducing fear of state surveillance.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5)(a), Sec. 4(3)Prohibiting service in political or religious advocacy roles (and requiring approval of organizations) helps ensure that student labor remains non-coercive, non-exploitative, and aligned with community benefit—protecting students from ideological pressure.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(4)(b), Sec. 4(2)(a)-(b)Priority for students excluded from state work-study (who often overlap with undocumented students) ensures the program reaches the most financially constrained subset of the target population, avoiding duplication of existing aid structures.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(6), Sec. 3(e)Allows qualifying for-profit businesses to host students, potentially expanding paid service opportunities and creating pathways to internships or entry-level jobs—though the $35/hour cap (based on minimum wage) limits wage gains.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 4(1)(iv), Sec. 4(2)(d)
Potential Concerns (5)
The program may increase strain on local law enforcement if students fear interacting with institutions (e.g., colleges) that are now de facto extensions of state data collection, even though the bill prohibits sharing immigration status with federal authorities—some students may still distrust any government-linked entity, potentially deterring reporting of crimes or cooperation with investigations.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(3)(a), Sec. 3(e)By requiring institutions to reduce grants based on other aid received (including institutional aid), the program may disincentivize colleges from awarding additional need-based aid to participating students—potentially leading to net aid reductions for some students, especially at underfunded public institutions.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(3)(b)(i), Sec. 2(6)The grant is tied to the adjusted minimum wage and capped at 19 hours/week, meaning awards are modest—approximately $3,500–$4,500 per term depending on wage changes—limiting impact on tuition affordability for students facing rising costs.
FinancialLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(3)(a), Sec. 3(d)The automatic sunset if funding isn’t explicitly included in the omnibus appropriations act creates program instability, discouraging long-term planning by colleges and students—and risks abrupt termination mid-academic year if budget negotiations stall.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 7 (sunset clause)The requirement that approved organizations comply with federal, state, and civil rights laws may inadvertently exclude some faith-based or culturally specific community organizations that serve undocumented populations but lack formal 501(c)(3) status or struggle to meet complex compliance documentation burdens.
Rights & LibertiesLean peopleRef: Sec. 4(2)(c)
Who Is Most Affected
Undocumented students who are Washington residents and meet financial need criteria gain direct access to tuition support and civic engagement opportunities previously unavailable to them. However, they face administrative burdens (e.g., re-verifying each term) and lingering uncertainty due to the program’s conditional funding.
Colleges gain a new tool to support retention and completion of a historically underserved population, but must absorb administrative costs (verifying service hours, calculating awards, disbursing funds) without explicit state reimbursement—potentially straining already-constrained financial aid offices.
Nonprofits and government agencies can expand community impact and engage students in meaningful service, but must register with the state, track hours, and comply with reporting requirements—adding administrative overhead without compensation.
Students in state work-study programs are explicitly deprioritized, meaning they may see no direct benefit. However, the program’s existence does not reduce their eligibility or award amounts, so impact is neutral—though some may perceive it as competition for limited institutional resources.