Bill > SB5164

This bill aims to increase postsecondary enrollment and financial aid completion rates for Washington state high school students by establishing a comprehensive support system. The legislation creates an outreach and enrollment specialist program that will place dedicated professionals in each educational service district to work directly with high schools, focusing on helping students navigate financial aid applications and postsecondary enrollment processes. These specialists will target schools with higher percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and will provide personalized assistance, including helping students complete federal and state financial aid applications, connecting them with higher education and apprenticeship programs, and offering information about scholarships. Additionally, the bill mandates the development of a financial aid training program for educators, counselors, and community partners to ensure at least one qualified financial aid professional is available in each school district. The training will be provided at no cost and aims to improve the accuracy and timeliness of financial aid form administration. By 2027, the program will be evaluated through comprehensive reports that analyze the impact on financial aid completion rates and first-time postsecondary enrollment, with the ultimate goal of addressing systemic barriers that prevent students, particularly those from lower-income households, from pursuing higher education.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5164&Year=2025&Initiative=false