OLYMPIA, Wash. — A new bill aiming to increase tuition scholarships for students attending private colleges has passed the state Senate, bringing good news for college students across Washington.
Senate Bill 5828 seeks to restore funding to the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship programs. The legislation would reverse last year’s Senate Bill 5785, which decreased the state’s contribution for private university scholarships while leaving public university contributions unchanged.
Legislative members have highlighted the importance of this bill in aiding students to pursue their career dreams in Washington.
“This bill does not change eligibility, it does not expand who can receive funds or who qualifies,” Senator T’wina Nobles, representing the 28th District, said. “It simply is our ability to balance some of the cuts that were made before so that students who are pursuing their hopes and dreams and their higher education are able to do so with our support.”
Before last year’s cuts, the maximum award was around $6,500, which was about 50% of the maximum award prior to SB 5785’s reductions.
The measure was passed with a 41 to 7 vote and now moves to the House for further consideration.
