Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with house amendments and pass a bill that establishes a student loan program for undocumented students.

Highlights:

• Defines “eligible student” as a student who (Sec. 2):

• Is a resident student;

• Demonstrates financial need;

• Has indicated they will attend an institution of higher education or is making satisfactory progress in a program, as defined in rule by the office, at an institution of higher education;

• Fills out the Washington application for state financial aid; and

• Does not qualify for federally funded student financial aid because of their citizenship status.

• Establishes the undocumented student support loan program (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the undocumented student support loan does not accrue interest while a participant is enrolled in an institution of higher education (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the office of student financial assistance to impose a loan origination fee up to, but not to exceed, the current rate imposed by the federal government on subsidized student loans (Sec. 3).

• Establishes the maximum annual loan amount granted per student for the undocumented student support loan program as (Sec. 3):

• The cost of tuition and required fees at the public institution of higher education the student is attending, or, if the student is attending a private institution of higher education, the tuition and required fees at an equivalent public institution; and

• Less the value of any state-funded grant, scholarship, or waiver assistance the student receives, plus five hundred dollars for books and materials.

• Establishes the undocumented student support loan match account as a nonappropriated account to be used solely and exclusively for the program for providing state matching funds for the undocumented student support loan program (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that this act takes effect July 1, 2021 (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes a student loan program for undocumented students.

Highlights:

• Defines “eligible student” as a student who (Sec. 2):

• Is a resident student;

• Demonstrates financial need;

• Has indicated they will attend an institution of higher education or is making satisfactory progress in a program, as defined in rule by the office, at an institution of higher education;

• Fills out the Washington application for state financial aid; and

• Does not qualify for federally funded student financial aid because of their citizenship status.

• Establishes the undocumented student support loan program (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the undocumented student support loan does not accrue interest while a participant is enrolled in an institution of higher education (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the office of student financial assistance to impose a loan origination fee up to, but not to exceed, the current rate imposed by the federal government on subsidized student loans (Sec. 3).

• Establishes the maximum annual loan amount granted per student for the undocumented student support loan program as (Sec. 3):

• The cost of tuition and required fees at the public institution of higher education the student is attending, or, if the student is attending a private institution of higher education, the tuition and required fees at an equivalent public institution; and

• Less the value of any state-funded grant, scholarship, or waiver assistance the student receives, plus five hundred dollars for books and materials.

• Establishes the undocumented student support loan match account as a nonappropriated account to be used solely and exclusively for the program for providing state matching funds for the undocumented student support loan program (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that this act takes effect July 1, 2021 (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text