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Evergreen Ledger

SSB 5275

In Committee

Senate

Passport to careers program

Modifying the funding for the passport to careers program.

This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.

How does a bill become law?
  1. Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
  2. Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
  3. Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
  4. Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
  5. Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
  6. Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
Introduced: February 9, 2025
Last Action: January 12, 2026
Status: S Ways & Means
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AI Analysis

This analysis was generated by AI and may contain errors. It is not legal advice. Always refer to the official bill text for authoritative information.
People & CommunitiesPeople-leaningCorporate & Wealthy Interests

The bill establishes and funds the passport to careers program, offering scholarships and support to former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth pursuing college degrees, certificates, or apprenticeships in Washington. It also links eligibility for this program to automatic qualification for the Washington college grant, expanding access to free college.

  • Creates two pathways under the passport to careers program: the passport to college promise program (scholarships up to $5,000/year) and the passport to apprenticeship opportunities program (funding for tools, gear, tuition, and other occupational-specific costs).
  • Expands eligibility for the Washington college grant to include students who qualify for the passport to careers program, allowing them to receive both benefits.
  • Sets eligibility criteria for the passport to careers program: must have been in foster care before age 21 (with specific age thresholds tied to July 1 dates starting in 2018), or be a verified unaccompanied homeless youth before age 21.
  • Caps total lifetime benefits at the equivalent of six years of tuition and fees at Washington’s most expensive public university.
  • Requires the Office of Student Financial Assistance to verify student needs, track academic progress, and contract with nonprofit organizations to support student success.
  • Requires the Caseload Forecast Council to estimate future program enrollment to guide budget planning.

Who is affected

  • Former foster youth — Students who were in foster care (state, tribal, or federal) in Washington before age 21—starting with those in care as of specific ages in specific years—and who are now pursuing college, certificate programs, or apprenticeships.
  • Unaccompanied homeless youth — Youth who experienced homelessness before age 21 and were verified as unaccompanied (not living with parents or guardians), especially those navigating school or housing instability.
  • Low-income students — Students who qualify for the passport to careers program automatically become eligible for the Washington college grant, expanding access to free college funding.
  • Higher education institutions and apprenticeship providers — Colleges, universities, and apprenticeship programs that serve eligible students and may receive support to help retain and graduate them.
Effective: July 1, 2025Fiscal impact: The bill requires legislative appropriations to fund the passport to careers program, including scholarships up to $5,000 annually and support for apprenticeship entrance costs. It also mandates a caseload forecast by the Caseload Forecast Council to guide future funding decisions.
Model: Intel/Qwen3-Coder-Next-int4-AutoRoundGenerated: Mar 19, 2026 at 8:47 PM

Pro/Con Analysis

Stronger case for benefits

Potential Benefits (5)

  • The bill creates a dedicated, needs-based scholarship program ($5,000/year) and apprenticeship support for former foster and unaccompanied homeless youth, directly reducing financial barriers to postsecondary education and training—especially critical for a population with high rates of housing instability, low median income, and lower college completion rates.

    EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 4, subsection (1), subsection (4)(a)(i)–(ii), subsection (6)(a), subsection (7)(b)

  • Automatic qualification for the Washington College Grant for passport to careers program recipients significantly expands access to free college for a high-need population, eliminating redundant application processes and reducing administrative barriers to aid.

    EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (5)(v), Sec. 4, subsection (4)(a)(i)–(ii)

  • The bill mandates coordination with service providers, colleges, and workforce agencies to support student retention and success—including academic progress tracking, vacation support, and apprenticeship pathway alignment—addressing systemic gaps that contribute to low completion rates among foster and homeless youth.

    EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 4, subsection (2), subsection (6)(d)(i), subsection (6)(e), subsection (7)(a)

  • The lifetime cap of six years (or 150% of program length) provides predictability and cost containment for the state while still allowing sufficient time for students to complete degrees or apprenticeships—balancing fiscal responsibility with realistic completion timelines for high-need students.

    FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 4, subsection (6)(a), subsection (7)(c), subsection (8)

  • Consolidating the passport to careers program into the State Financial Aid Account improves administrative efficiency and ensures dedicated funding streams, reducing fragmentation and potential delays in disbursement.

    FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 1, subsection (2), subsection (3)
Potential Concerns (5)

  • The bill requires the Caseload Forecast Council to produce annual enrollment forecasts for budget planning, which adds administrative burden and reporting requirements to an existing state agency without providing new funding to offset this work.

    Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 4, subsection (4)(a)(ii), Sec. 5

  • Verification of unaccompanied homeless status relies on subjective documentation (e.g., letters, essays, interviews), which risks inconsistent eligibility determinations and potential denial of benefits to youth who genuinely qualify but lack formal connections to service providers.

    Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 4, subsection (4)(a)(i)–(ii), Sec. 4, subsection (5)

  • The $5,000 annual scholarship cap may be insufficient to cover full financial need for students at higher-cost institutions or those with significant non-tuition expenses (e.g., childcare, transportation, mental health services), especially when combined with other aid caps (e.g., 6-year lifetime limit).

    EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 4, subsection (6)(a), subsection (7)(c), subsection (8)

  • The bill offers “financial and other incentives” to institutions for recruiting and retaining eligible students, but does not specify how those incentives will be structured or whether they will be substantial enough to offset additional support costs—potentially disincentivizing participation by smaller or under-resourced institutions.

    Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 4, subsection (6)(d)(ii)

  • The age- and date-specific eligibility thresholds for foster youth (e.g., “age 15 as of July 1, 2018”) create arbitrary cutoffs that exclude some youth who experienced foster care but do not meet the specific timing criteria—potentially leaving out vulnerable populations who still face systemic barriers to postsecondary success.

    HousingLean peopleRef: Sec. 4, subsection (4)(a)(i)(A)–(C), subsection (4)(a)(ii)

Who Is Most Affected

Former foster youthPositive Impact

Former foster youth who meet age/timing criteria gain direct access to $5,000/year scholarships and automatic college grant eligibility—addressing key barriers to enrollment and retention. However, those who fell out of care before the specified age thresholds (e.g., age 13 before July 1, 2020) are excluded, limiting coverage for some vulnerable subgroups.

Unaccompanied homeless youthMixed Impact

Unaccompanied homeless youth gain access to critical financial and academic support, but verification requirements (e.g., letters from service providers) may exclude those without stable connections to schools or shelters—especially those in rural areas or informal housing situations.

Low-income studentsMixed Impact

Low-income students who qualify for the passport to careers program gain automatic access to the Washington College Grant, expanding no-cost college options. However, since the program targets only a subset of low-income students (those with foster/homeless history), broader low-income populations see no direct benefit.

Higher education institutions and apprenticeship providersMixed Impact

Higher education institutions and apprenticeship providers gain new funding streams and are required to implement support systems for eligible students. Community and technical colleges—especially those with high enrollment of low-income and first-generation students—are likely to benefit most, while private institutions may face higher relative costs without proportional compensation.

State agenciesNegative Impact

State agencies (e.g., OSFA, Caseload Forecast Council) gain new responsibilities and reporting duties, but no additional funding is allocated to support implementation—potentially straining existing staff and resources.