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Appropriations committee approves striker to Washington College Grant, college-bound changes that reduce projected costs
Summary
A striking amendment to the Washington College Grant and College Bound scholarship altered award formulas and eligibility, producing projected near-term and four-year savings. Committee approved the substitute bill as amended; staff said the changes yield $16.5 million in near-term NGFO savings and $106 million over a four-year outlook.
The House Appropriations Committee on [date not specified] reported substitute Senate Bill 5785 as amended (H-2321.2 striker) with a do-pass recommendation.
Committee staff explained that the striker codifies maximum award changes for the Washington College Grant (WCG) and the College Bound scholarship, shifting some awards to take effect in fiscal year 2027. Key changes explained by staff included: capping Washington College Grant apprenticeship awards at 50% of the community and technical college award; removing eligibility for private for-profit two- and four-year institutions; setting the maximum WCG award for private not-for-profit four-year institutions to 50% of the research-institution award; and reducing the Western Governors University award to $4,150. The College Bound scholarship would mirror the WCG changes starting in fiscal 2028 and include a limit on scholarship use to six years (or 150% of the published program length).
Budget staff told the committee these changes produce $16.5 million in NGFO savings in the near-term ‘25–‘27 period and $106 million in NGFO savings over the four-year outlook. Representative Levitt urged support for preserving and expanding access to the Washington College Grant while acknowledging concerns about impacts on some independent colleges and promising work with stakeholders during the interim.
The committee adopted the striker amendment and then voted the bill out of committee. The roll call announced 19 ayes, 0 nays and 12 absent.
Context: Committee discussion emphasized that the striker avoids tuition increases and expanded the grant percentage for eligible families, while reducing awards for certain institution types and limiting eligibility for for-profit institutions. Supporters framed the changes as preserving broad access and containing costs; staff acknowledged tradeoffs for independent colleges and pledged follow-up work.
Ending note: The amendment and committee action move the changes forward to the next stage of the legislative process; committee staff and members signaled intent to continue stakeholder work on independent college impacts during the interim.
