SSB 5402
In CommitteeSenate
Financial aid eligibility
Modifying financial aid eligibility.
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 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.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
Expanding the maximum Washington College Grant to students with family incomes up to 70% of state median (up from 55%) significantly increases access to free tuition for low- and moderate-income students, especially first-generation and working-class students. This removes a major financial barrier to enrollment and completion for households earning up to ~$58,000 for a family of four (70% of SMFI).
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 28B.92.205(2)(a)Extending prorated grants to students with incomes up to 100% of state median (up from 70%) helps middle-income students who earn too much for full aid but still struggle with college costs — particularly those in the 71–100% range who now receive 10–50% of the maximum grant instead of being excluded entirely.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 28B.92.205(2)(b)The $500 annual bridge grant for students who qualify for the maximum grant but not the College Bound Scholarship directly supports students who fall through the cracks of existing aid — notably students whose families earn just above the College Bound threshold but still need substantial help. This fills a gap in current aid design and helps cover non-tuition costs like books, housing, and transportation.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2, RCW 28B.92.205(1)Increased state spending to fund the bridge grant and expanded eligibility will require higher general fund allocations, which could strain other education and social service budgets — though the bill’s fiscal note indicates this is offset by prior-year savings and growth in state revenue, reducing the net burden on local services.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Fiscal Impact: $20M in 2025–26, $25M in 2027–28Requiring at least half-time enrollment for full bridge grants may disadvantage part-time students, many of whom are low-income adults balancing work and caregiving responsibilities — though prorated awards partially mitigate this.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 2, RCW 28B.92.205(3)
Potential Concerns (5)
Expanding the maximum Washington College Grant to students with family incomes up to 70% of state median (up from 55%) significantly increases access to free tuition for low- and moderate-income students, especially first-generation and working-class students. This removes a major financial barrier to enrollment and completion for households earning up to ~$58,000 for a family of four (70% of SMFI).
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 28B.92.205(2)(a)Extending prorated grants to students with incomes up to 100% of state median (up from 70%) helps middle-income students who earn too much for full aid but still struggle with college costs — particularly those in the 71–100% range who now receive 10–50% of the maximum grant instead of being excluded entirely.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 28B.92.205(2)(b)The $500 annual bridge grant for students who qualify for the maximum grant but not the College Bound Scholarship directly supports students who fall through the cracks of existing aid — notably students whose families earn just above the College Bound threshold but still need substantial help. This fills a gap in current aid design and helps cover non-tuition costs like books, housing, and transportation.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2, RCW 28B.92.205(1)Increased state spending to fund the bridge grant and expanded eligibility will require higher general fund allocations, which could strain other education and social service budgets — though the bill’s fiscal note indicates this is offset by prior-year savings and growth in state revenue, reducing the net burden on local services.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Fiscal Impact: $20M in 2025–26, $25M in 2027–28Requiring at least half-time enrollment for full bridge grants may disadvantage part-time students, many of whom are low-income adults balancing work and caregiving responsibilities — though prorated awards partially mitigate this.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 2, RCW 28B.92.205(3)
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and moderate-income students (families ≤70% SMFI) gain full or near-full tuition coverage — a major benefit for first-gen and working-class students. However, families at 71–100% SMFI receive only partial aid, so gains are modest and may not offset rising costs.
Students who qualify for the maximum grant but not the College Bound Scholarship (e.g., non-citizens, late applicants, or families slightly above EFC thresholds) gain $500/year — a targeted, meaningful boost to cover living costs.
Half-time students benefit from full bridge grants, but part-time students receive prorated amounts — a mixed outcome that helps some adult learners but excludes others who need support most.
WSAC gains administrative responsibility for the bridge grant, increasing its scope and budget authority, but faces no major new costs or liabilities.