Committee hears bill to require FAFSA/WASFA completion evidence in high school plans

Senate Bill 5841, introduced in the Early Learning & K–12 Education Committee, would require high school and beyond plans to include evidence that a student has completed at least one state or federal financial aid application (the federal FAFSA or the state WASFA) or that a parent or guardian has formally opted the student out. Elena Becker, staff to the committee, said the change is intended to align existing graduation-planning requirements with steps that make students eligible for federal and state aid and that a fiscal note has been requested but not yet provided.

Sponsor Senator Matt Behnke (8th Legislative District) told the committee the bill aims to reduce barriers to higher education and cited other states’ results, saying his office modeled the proposal in part on a Louisiana program that produced higher completion rates. Students and student groups framed the policy as practical: Sienna Girard of the Washington Students Association said research shows mandatory FAFSA policies have coincided with increased first-time undergraduate enrollment, and Colin Bannister, WSA president, said improved completion will bring more federal dollars into the state and expand opportunities for low-income, rural and first-generation students.

Opponents and cautious witnesses raised implementation questions. Ross Thompson of the Association of Washington School Principals said requiring proof of application completion or opt-out would add administrative work for school counselors and require districts to track individual students and sensitive family information. Marie Sullivan of the Eastern Washington Quality Schools Coalition asked how ‘‘evidence’’ should be defined — an affidavit, a signature, or another verification method — and warned districts with large undocumented populations could perceive new requirements as risky.

Committee members pressed staff on verification and data access. Senator Paul Harris asked whether the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) can share FAFSA/WASFA completion data with districts to address the verification need; Ross Thompson said principals are learning how to use WASAC data and that access is growing. Chair Wellman closed the hearing without a committee vote and moved the agenda forward.

The committee requested a fiscal note and follow-up on data sharing; no formal action was taken during the hearing.