SB 5442
In CommitteeSenate
College promise pilot
Establishing a college promise pilot 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
This bill creates a pilot program in eastern Washington to help students afford postsecondary education through two pathways: $5,000 annual awards for students enrolling in college, apprenticeships, or credential programs, and full two-year tuition coverage at community colleges for students from three selected high schools. It is funded with state matching dollars for private donations and runs through 2029.
- Establishes a college promise pilot program in 10 eastern Washington counties, offering up to $5,000 per year for tuition and fees to eligible students.
- Eligible students must graduate from a high school in the region, enroll in a postsecondary program within one year, apply for financial aid, have family income ≤ 150% of state median, and join a mentoring program.
- Funds are paid directly to schools or programs and only after all other state/federal aid is applied.
- Creates a high school promise pilot within the larger program, offering full two-year tuition at community colleges in the region for students from three selected high schools.
- Requires a nonprofit 501(c)(3) headquartered east of the Cascades to administer the program, with state matching funds tied to private contributions on a 1:1 basis.
- Sets a sunset date of August 1, 2029, and requires a 2028 report to the legislature on student outcomes (enrollment, degree completion, transfer rates).
Who is affected
- Eligible students in eastern Washington — High school graduates from 10 eastern Washington counties who enroll in college, apprenticeships, or credential programs within one year of graduation and meet income and aid-application requirements. They may receive up to $5,000 per year for tuition and fees, plus mentoring support.
- Selected high schools in eastern Washington — Three specific high schools in the most populous eastern Washington county (one small public school, one project-based school, and one junior-senior-only school) that will pilot a two-year, full-tuition community college pathway for their graduates.
- Nonprofit service provider in eastern Washington — A registered nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) headquartered east of the Cascades that provides student services in 10 eastern Washington counties and will administer the pilot programs.
- State agencies (Student Achievement Council, State Treasurer) — State government (specifically the Student Achievement Council and state treasury), which must manage the match transfer account, track private-public funding, and report outcomes to the legislature.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Provides direct, need-based financial support (up to $5,000/year) to low- and moderate-income students in eastern Washington, reducing out-of-pocket costs for college, apprenticeships, or credential programs — a region historically underserved by higher education resources.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(a)-(e)The high school promise pilot offering full two-year community college tuition for students from three targeted high schools removes a major financial barrier to associate degree completion, increasing access to credential pathways that lead to better-paying jobs in the region.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 4Mentoring support embedded in the program helps improve student retention and completion, especially for first-generation and low-income students — evidence shows such wraparound services significantly boost postsecondary success.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(e)Mandated outcome reporting (enrollment, completion, transfer) creates accountability and provides valuable data to refine future state investments in postsecondary access — supporting evidence-based policy beyond the pilot.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 5Requires a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered east of the Cascades to administer the program, fostering local capacity and regional leadership — potentially strengthening infrastructure for future education initiatives in eastern Washington.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2) & Sec. 3
Potential Concerns (5)
Income eligibility cap of 150% of state median family income ($~$112,500 for a family of 4 in 2024–25) excludes many working-class families just above the threshold, limiting access for those who still face significant financial barriers to postsecondary education but fall outside the narrow window.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(d)Mandatory participation in a mentoring program and selection of only three specific high schools in one county creates arbitrary access barriers and excludes many eligible students in other parts of eastern Washington, reducing equity and geographic fairness.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(e) & Sec. 4(2)Awards are paid only *after* all other state and federal aid is applied, meaning students with modest aid (e.g., Pell Grant + limited state aid) may receive little or no additional benefit — effectively making the program supplemental rather than transformative for low-income students.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(4)State matching funds are contingent on private contributions, creating uncertainty about program scale and sustainability; if private fundraising falls short, the program may underdeliver or fail entirely — disproportionately affecting students who rely on predictable funding.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(2) & Sec. 3(2)Total state appropriation of $1.5 million over two years is modest relative to the state budget ($65B+), but the program’s success hinges on matching private donations, meaning the fiscal impact is small and low-risk for state taxpayers.
FinancialRef: Sec. 6
Who Is Most Affected
Students from low- and moderate-income families in eastern Washington (income ≤150% SMI) stand to gain significant financial relief for postsecondary education, increasing access to degrees and credentials — though the narrow income cap and mentoring requirement may exclude some who need support most.
Selected high schools gain a structured pathway to support college enrollment for their graduates, but only three schools are included, limiting broader impact; the program may increase school-level college-going culture but adds administrative burden.
The nonprofit administrator gains funding and expanded role in regional education, potentially building long-term capacity — but must meet reporting, matching, and compliance requirements that increase operational complexity.
State agencies (Student Achievement Council, Treasurer) gain new administrative responsibilities and reporting duties, with minimal fiscal risk due to capped appropriations and matching requirements — a low-cost, high-visibility investment in education equity.