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SSB 5402

In Committee

Senate

Financial aid eligibility

Modifying financial aid eligibility.

  1. Introduced (completed)
  2. 2
    Committee (current stage)
  3. 3
    Floor Vote (not started)
  4. 4
    Opposite Chamber (not started)
  5. 5
    Governor (not started)
  6. 6
    Signed (not started)

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 5, 2025
Last Action: January 12, 2026
Status: S Ways & Means
Companion Bill: #1568
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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

This bill expands who qualifies for the full Washington college grant—now available to students with family incomes up to 70% of the state median—and adds a new $500 bridge grant for low-income students who get the full grant but not the College Bound Scholarship. It also extends the income range for partial grants up to 100% of the state median.

  • Expands eligibility for the maximum Washington college grant to students with family incomes up to 70% of the state median family income (up from 55% in prior years).
  • Increases income range for prorated grants to include students with family incomes up to 100% of the state median family income (up from 70%).
  • Creates a new $500 annual bridge grant for students who qualify for the maximum Washington college grant but do *not* receive the College Bound Scholarship.
  • Requires the bridge grant to be awarded starting in the 2025-26 academic year, and to be applied *after* other gift aid (like the College Bound Scholarship or Pell Grant).
  • Makes bridge grants available to students enrolled at least half-time; part-time students receive a prorated amount.

Who is affected

  • Low- and moderate-income students — Low- and moderate-income Washington high school graduates or current college students applying for state financial aid; those with family incomes up to 100% of the state median may qualify for reduced grants, and those at or below 70% may qualify for the full grant.
  • Students receiving the maximum Washington college grant but not the College Bound Scholarship — Students who receive the maximum Washington college grant but not the College Bound Scholarship; they become eligible for an additional $500 bridge grant to help cover non-tuition costs.
  • Half-time or full-time college students — Students enrolled at least half-time at a Washington college or university; they may receive the full $500 bridge grant, while part-time students receive a reduced amount.
  • Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) — The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), which administers the Washington college grant and now also the new bridge grant program.
Effective: July 1, 2025Fiscal impact: The bill increases state spending by approximately $20 million in the 2025-26 biennium and $25 million in the 2027-28 biennium, primarily to fund the new $500 bridge grant for up to 40,000 additional students.
Model: Intel/Qwen3-Coder-Next-int4-AutoRoundGenerated: Mar 20, 2026, 2:42 AM

Pro/Con Analysis

Stronger case for benefits

Potential Benefits (4)

  • Expanding the maximum Washington college grant to students with family incomes up to 70% of the state median significantly reduces tuition barriers for low-income students, increasing access to higher education for those who previously fell into the gap between full and partial grants.

    EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(a)

  • The new $500 bridge grant provides direct financial support for non-tuition expenses like books, housing, and child care, addressing critical cost barriers that often prevent low-income students from completing their degrees.

    EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)

  • Extending partial grants to students with incomes up to 100% of the state median broadens financial aid access to moderate-income families who may not qualify for full grants but still face significant financial hurdles in affording college.

    EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(b)

  • By explicitly covering housing and child care costs, the bridge grant helps stabilize living situations for low-income students, reducing the risk of dropping out due to financial instability in essential life areas.

    HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5)
Potential Concerns (3)

  • The expansion of grant eligibility increases state spending by approximately $20 million in the 2025-26 biennium, which may require reallocation of funds from other public services or contribute to broader state budget pressures.

    FinancialRef: Sec. 1 (Amendment to RCW 28B.92.205)

  • The bridge grant is applied after all other gift aid, meaning it does not reduce tuition costs directly but only supplements non-tuition expenses; this structure may limit its effectiveness in reducing overall student debt or out-of-pocket costs for tuition.

    EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(4)

  • The bridge grant excludes students who receive the College Bound Scholarship, creating a two-tiered system where students with slightly higher incomes or different eligibility profiles receive less total aid, potentially creating inequities among low-income students.

    EducationRef: Sec. 2(1)

Who Is Most Affected

  • Low- and moderate-income college studentsPositive Impact

    Students with family incomes up to 70% of the state median now qualify for the maximum grant, and those up to 100% qualify for partial grants, significantly lowering the cost of attendance.

  • Students eligible for the bridge grantPositive Impact

    Students who receive the maximum grant but not the College Bound Scholarship gain an additional $500 annual stipend to cover non-tuition expenses, improving their financial stability.

  • State of Washington (Treasury/Budget)Negative Impact

    The state must fund the expanded grant eligibility and the new bridge grant, increasing annual expenditures by $20-25 million, which may impact other budget priorities.

  • Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)Mixed Impact

    WSAC must administer the new bridge grant program, requiring additional administrative resources and coordination with institutions of higher education.

  • Institutions of Higher EducationMixed Impact

    Institutions may see increased enrollment from low-income students who can now afford to attend, but they must also manage the administrative process for awarding bridge grants.