SSB 5828
In CommitteeSenate
College scholarships/private
Concerning the Washington college grant and college bound scholarship program for students attending private four-year not-for-profit institutions of higher education in Washington.
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 increases financial aid support for low-income and foster/adopted students attending private four-year not-for-profit colleges in Washington by raising the maximum award amounts for both the Washington College Grant and Washington College Bound Scholarship, effective starting in the 2026–27 and 2027–28 academic years respectively. It also expands automatic enrollment in the College Bound Scholarship program to more eligible students.
- Raises the maximum Washington College Grant award for students at private four-year not-for-profit colleges in Washington to 50% of the average award given to students at public research universities, effective for the 2026–27 academic year (up from a fixed amount capped at $9,739 in 2025–26).
- Changes the Washington College Bound Scholarship award for students at private four-year not-for-profit colleges to 50% of the average award given to students at public research universities, effective for the 2027–28 academic year.
- Expands automatic enrollment in the Washington College Bound Scholarship to students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in grades 7–12, including those in foster care or who were adopted between ages 14–18.
- Requires the Office of Student Financial Assistance to automatically enroll eligible students and notify them of requirements, with support from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
- Maintains the existing requirement that students must graduate high school with at least a “C” average (for direct admission to four-year institutions), have no felony convictions, and meet income and residency requirements to receive the scholarship.
Who is affected
- Students at private four-year not-for-profit colleges in Washington — Students attending private four-year not-for-profit colleges in Washington may receive higher scholarship amounts starting in the 2026–27 academic year, based on a new formula tied to public university awards.
- Low-income and foster/adopted students — Students who qualified for free or reduced-price lunch in middle or high school, or who were in foster care or adopted between ages 14–18, may automatically qualify for the Washington College Bound Scholarship and benefit from expanded access and support.
- Public universities in Washington — Public universities in Washington may see increased scholarship obligations for students who transfer from private institutions or whose aid packages are recalculated under the new formula.
- Office of Student Financial Assistance — The state’s Office of Student Financial Assistance must update systems to implement automatic enrollment, verify eligibility, and calculate new award amounts, requiring additional staff and technology resources.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Raising the maximum award for students at private four-year not-for-profit colleges to 50% of public research university averages significantly increases aid for low-income students who choose or need to attend private institutions — many of which offer strong liberal arts or specialized programs not available at public universities. This addresses a long-standing gap where private college students received far less state support than public college peers.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 1, subsection (5)(b)(ii) and Sec. 2, subsection (5)(b)(ii)Expanding automatic enrollment to students who qualified for free/reduced-price lunch in grades 7–12 — including those in foster care or adopted between ages 14–18 — dramatically improves access for historically excluded students. Automatic enrollment removes administrative barriers that disproportionately affect low-income, foster, and adoptees, who often lack the guidance or stability to apply manually.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(c) and (2)(a)Mandating proactive outreach and enrollment support from OSFA, OSPI, and DCYF creates a more robust student support infrastructure, especially for vulnerable populations. This reduces the “aid cliff” effect where students fall through cracks due to lack of awareness or documentation — a known barrier for foster and adopted youth.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (2)(b), (2)(c)Aligning private college aid with public university award averages creates greater parity in state investment across sector types, supporting educational equity and giving students more meaningful choice — especially important for students who benefit from smaller class sizes, mentorship, or specialized programs at private institutions.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (5)(b)(ii) and Sec. 1, subsection (5)(b)(ii)Explicitly including adopted students (aged 14–18 at adoption with negotiated adoption agreement) acknowledges the unique financial and developmental challenges faced by older adoptees and ensures they are not excluded from postsecondary opportunity — a recognition of their heightened risk of aging out of support systems without stable pathways to independence.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 2, subsection (1)(c)
Potential Concerns (5)
The bill ties Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship awards for private four-year not-for-profit colleges to 50% of the average award given to students at public research universities — a metric that fluctuates annually and is determined by state funding decisions, not fixed tuition costs. This creates uncertainty for students and families who rely on predictable aid levels, and may result in awards that fall short of actual private college tuition, especially if public university aid growth lags behind private tuition inflation.
FinancialIndustryRef: Sec. 1, subsection (5)(b)(ii)The new formula for College Bound Scholarship awards (50% of public research university averages) effectively caps aid at roughly half of what public university students receive — despite private institutions often charging significantly more than public ones. This creates a structural disadvantage for low-income students choosing private colleges, potentially steering them toward less-expensive public options or away from college entirely, even if their academic profile fits better at a private institution.
FinancialIndustryRef: Sec. 2, subsection (5)(b)(ii)The bill increases state spending by tens of millions annually without specifying a dedicated funding source, risking future budget pressures that could lead to cuts in other student aid programs or increased taxes elsewhere. Since Washington lacks a progressive income tax, the burden of funding this expansion will likely fall on regressive taxes (e.g., property, sales) or reduced services — disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income households.
FinancialIndustryRef: Fiscal Impact section (not in statutory text but in summary and context of funding source)While expanding automatic enrollment, the bill retains strict academic (C average), behavioral (no felony convictions), and income (≤65% state median) eligibility requirements that exclude many low-income students — particularly those facing systemic barriers like unstable housing, trauma, or involvement in the juvenile system — even if they are otherwise motivated and capable of succeeding in college.
Rights & LibertiesIndustryRef: Sec. 2, subsection (1)(a)(ii) and (1)(c)The policy may inadvertently reinforce stratification in higher education by making private colleges less financially viable for low-income students, especially since many private four-year institutions in Washington (e.g., Seattle University, Gonzaga, Whitman) charge over $50,000/year in tuition — far exceeding the 50% public-equivalent cap, which in 2024–25 would be roughly $14,000–$16,000.
EducationIndustryRef: Sec. 2, subsection (5)(b)(ii) and Sec. 1, subsection (5)(b)(ii)
Who Is Most Affected
Low-income students attending private four-year not-for-profit colleges benefit significantly from higher aid caps and automatic enrollment, reducing financial barriers to access and completion — though the 50% cap may still leave unmet need for the most expensive institutions.
Foster and adopted youth gain critical support through automatic enrollment and inclusion in the program, addressing systemic gaps that previously excluded them — but they still face higher dropout rates and may need additional wraparound services beyond tuition aid.
Private four-year not-for-profit colleges may see increased enrollment from low-income students, but must absorb administrative costs and may face pressure to keep tuition growth in check to remain compatible with state aid caps.
Public universities may experience increased transfer applications or retention of students who start at private colleges, but face no direct cost — though state funding formulas may need adjustment to reflect the new aid distribution.
State agencies (OSFA, OSPI, DCYF) gain new responsibilities for data sharing and outreach, requiring increased staffing and system integration — but this investment supports long-term educational equity goals and may reduce future remediation and social service costs.