Bill > HB1495

This bill establishes a college promise pilot program in eastern Washington designed to help students pursue higher education. The program will collaborate with a specific 501(c)(3) organization to provide up to $5,000 annually to a minimum of 100 students per year in a 10-county region. To be eligible, students must have graduated from a high school in the region, enroll in a local postsecondary institution within one year of graduation, complete a financial aid application, have a family income at or below 150% of the state median, and participate in a mentoring program. The funding will come from a combination of private grants and state matching funds, with the state providing dollar-for-dollar matching up to specific appropriated amounts ($500,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2027). The bill also includes a high school promise component where three specific high schools in the most populous county east of the Cascade mountains will offer full tuition for two years of community college. A report detailing student outcomes will be required by December 1, 2028, and the entire program is set to expire on August 1, 2029, ensuring it is a time-limited pilot initiative aimed at understanding and potentially expanding educational opportunities for students in eastern Washington.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1495&Year=2025&Initiative=false