Higher Education
2007 Legislative Update
Gov. Chris Gregoire and legislators from both political parties worked to fund various investments in higher education this session. Highlights from this session include new budget and policy initiatives that:
Expand the Opportunity Grants program. Trains low-income adults to prepare them for jobs that local employers need to fill immediately. Awards grants covering college tuition and fees for up to 45 credits, stipends for books and materials, and funds to support student retention efforts at the colleges. Participants will earn credentials or certificates in occupations that are in demand by local employers. $15 million Education Legacy Trust Account-State
Expand financial aid eligibility. Increases financial aid programs to keep pace with the tuition increases assumed in the budget. Serves more students in the state’s largest financial aid program. Moves the income eligibility cap for the State Need Grant program from 65 percent of the state’s median family income to 70 percent, so that students whose families earn up to $50,400 for a family of four now qualify. Expands eligibility to include part-time students as well. $24.9 million, GF-State; $22.7 million Education Legacy Trust Account-State.
Increase access to colleges and universities. Makes room for over 6,000 new students in general enrollments at two- and four-year institutions. $58.2 million Education Legacy Trust Account-State
Cap tuition increases at colleges and universities. Sets tuition increases for the next two years at 2 percent for community and technical colleges, 5 percent at our regional universities and colleges, and 7 percent at UW and WSU. Sets a statewide tuition policy to limit tuition increases for the next 10 years to no more than 7 percent at any public college or university, to give students and families more predictability as they make plans for college. No extra cost
Enroll more students in high-demand programs. Provides more qualified workers in high-demand fields, such as engineering, math and science education, nursing and other health care occupations. Provides more than 3,700 new high-demand enrollment slots in colleges and universities, including new spaces in apprenticeship programs and Integrated Basic Education Skills and Training programs. Expands the UW Schools of Medicine and Dentistry and the WSU Nursing School to provide more doctors, dentists and nurses to the inland Northwest. $11.4 million GF-State, $48.5 million Education Legacy Trust Account-State
Establish the GET Ready for Math and Science Scholarship. Encourages middle and high school students to perform well in math and science and pursue high-demand, math- and science-related degrees in college. Purchases Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) shares through a public-private partnership to provide four-year college scholarships for up to 150 students each year, beginning with the class of 2010. $5 million Education Legacy Trust Account-State, $5 million raised by the College Success Foundation
