Bill > HB1136

This bill aims to increase postsecondary enrollment and financial aid completion rates for Washington high school students by establishing a new outreach and enrollment specialist program. Recognizing that only an estimated 40 percent of Washington's high school class of 2021 is projected to obtain a postsecondary credential, particularly among lower-income households, the bill creates a program to provide comprehensive support for students navigating college and financial aid applications. The program will select entities like community colleges, four-year institutions, tribal organizations, or community-based organizations in educational service districts with the lowest Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates. Outreach and enrollment specialists will work directly with high schools, focusing on schools with higher percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, to help students complete financial aid applications, explore postsecondary opportunities, and connect with campus services and apprenticeship programs. The specialists will coordinate with school counselors, provide targeted outreach through various methods, and help students navigate application processes. The college board will oversee the program, develop a communication plan, create a training program for specialists, and produce annual reports to the legislature detailing the program's impact on financial aid completion and postsecondary enrollment rates.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1136&Year=2025&Initiative=false