SB 5963

Signed

Senate

Passport to careers program

Modifying funding for the passport to careers program and eligibility for the Washington college grant.

Introduced (completed)
Committee (completed)
Floor Vote (completed)
Opposite Chamber (completed)
Governor (completed)
Signed (completed)

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.

Introduced: January 11, 2026

Last Action: March 14, 2026

Status: C 44 L 26

Companion Bill: #2586

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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 integrates the passport to careers program into the state’s broader financial aid system by adding its funding to the state financial aid account and allowing passport to careers-eligible students to automatically qualify for the Washington college grant. It also expands who can get the Washington college grant to include more low-income high school students and youth in foster care or homelessness.

Expands the state financial aid account to include funds for the passport to careers program, allowing money to be pooled with other state aid programs and used for scholarships without annual appropriation.
Allows students who qualify for the passport to careers program to automatically qualify as income-eligible for the Washington college grant, removing the need for separate financial need documentation.
Adds new eligibility pathways for the Washington college grant for high school students (grades 10–12) whose families receive Washington basic food benefits (starting in 2025–26) or who qualify for the passport to careers program (starting in 2026–27).
Clarifies that the passport to careers program is funded through the state financial aid account, and that expenditures for it are exempt from normal appropriation and allotment rules.
Reaffirms the legislature’s intent to continue funding the passport to careers program beyond the 2019–21 biennium, making it a permanent part of the state financial aid system.

Who is affected

Low-income high school students (grades 10–12) — Students in grades 10–12 whose families receive public assistance (e.g., basic food, ABD, essential needs and housing support, or pregnant women assistance) may now qualify for the Washington college grant without needing to submit a full financial aid application, and can automatically receive the passport to careers grant if eligible.
Foster, homeless, and tribal foster youth — Students who qualify for the passport to careers program (e.g., foster youth, homeless youth, or those in tribal foster care) will automatically be considered income-eligible for the Washington college grant, simplifying access to both programs.
Enrolled college and apprenticeship students — Students enrolled in or accepted into eligible Washington colleges, universities, or registered apprenticeships who meet income and other eligibility criteria will continue to receive need-based grants to cover tuition and other costs.
Office of Student Financial Assistance — The office of student financial assistance will manage expanded coordination between the passport to careers and Washington college grant programs, including automatic eligibility determinations and streamlined funding flows.

Effective: July 1, 2025Fiscal impact: The bill modifies the state financial aid account to include funds for the passport to careers program, allowing more flexible use of funds across programs. It does not specify new appropriation amounts but enables future funding to support expanded eligibility and coordination between programs.

Model: Intel/Qwen3-Coder-Next-int4-AutoRoundGenerated: Mar 20, 2026, 3:03 AM

Pro/Con Analysis

Stronger case for benefits

Potential Benefits (3)

The bill creates a direct pathway for low-income high school students (grades 10-12) whose families receive food assistance to qualify for the Washington college grant, removing significant financial barriers to postsecondary education for economically disadvantaged youth.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5)(a)(iv)
By allowing students eligible for the passport to careers program (including foster and homeless youth) to automatically qualify for the Washington college grant, the bill reduces administrative burdens and stigma associated with applying for financial aid for vulnerable populations.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5)(a)(v)
Integrating the passport to careers program into the state financial aid account allows for more flexible and efficient pooling of funds, ensuring that appropriated money for student aid is not subject to lapse and can be used more effectively across programs.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)

Potential Concerns (3)

The bill explicitly authorizes the legislature to transfer funds from the state financial aid account to the state general fund during the 2025-2027 biennium, creating a mechanism that could divert dedicated student aid money to cover general state budget shortfalls.
FinancialLean industryRef: Sec. 1(6)
Expanding eligibility to include students in households receiving Washington basic food benefits significantly increases the number of qualifying applicants, which may dilute the per-student grant amount or require future tax increases to maintain current benefit levels.
EducationRef: Sec. 2(5)(a)(iv)
The automatic eligibility pathway relies on the Office of Student Financial Assistance having access to and verifying data from public assistance programs, which raises administrative concerns regarding data privacy and the potential for bureaucratic errors in eligibility determination.
Rights & LibertiesRef: Sec. 2(5)(a)(ii)

Who Is Most Affected

Low-income and foster youthPositive Impact
Students in grades 10-12 from low-income households and those in foster care gain direct access to college funding without complex application processes, significantly improving their economic mobility.
Office of Student Financial AssistanceMixed Impact
The Office of Student Financial Assistance must manage expanded eligibility criteria and coordinate data between public assistance and financial aid systems, increasing administrative workload and requiring new operational protocols.
Washington institutions of higher educationPositive Impact
Institutions of higher education will see an increase in the number of students receiving state grants, which may improve enrollment stability for low-income students but requires institutions to manage grant disbursement and compliance.
State Government / LegislatureMixed Impact
The state government faces potential fiscal pressure as the expansion of eligibility may require additional appropriations to maintain grant levels, and the bill includes provisions allowing funds to be redirected to the general fund.