Bill > SB6209

This bill modifies how financial aid awards are determined for students attending private four-year and two-year institutions of higher education in Washington state, particularly impacting the "Maximum Washington college grant" and the "Washington college bound scholarship program." Key changes include establishing new award amounts for students attending private for-profit institutions, with awards for both four-year and two-year programs becoming 50 percent of the average awards granted to students at public research institutions starting in the 2026-27 academic year, provided these institutions meet new "gainful employment" standards. These new standards, to be established by the office of student financial assistance, will require that debt payments for graduates do not exceed eight percent of their annual earnings or 20 percent of their discretionary earnings (defined as annual earnings minus 150 percent of the federal poverty guideline for a single individual), and will also consider program completion rates. The bill also makes adjustments to award calculations for students attending Western Governors University-Washington and approved apprenticeship programs.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6209&Year=2025&Initiative=false