Committee advances four higher-education aid bills; roll calls recorded for three

The House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee on Feb. 11, 2025, reported out four bills aimed at expanding financial support and access to postsecondary education: House Bills 1554, 1556, substitute 1565 and substitute 1587. The committee held roll-call votes on three bills and adopted amendments to two before reporting the measures to the full House with due-pass recommendations.

The bills move a mix of targeted eligibility changes and program expansions. House Bill 1554 would expand eligibility for the College Bound Scholarship to students who obtained a high school equivalency certificate. House Bill 1556 would remove the age requirement for fee waivers for high school diploma or certificate courses. Substitute House Bill 1565 continues the Washington Dual Enrollment Scholarship and, as amended, limits the scholarship to Running Start students and expands eligibility to…