Office of Government Relations

February 2, 2023

Bill Alert: Washington College Grant Expansion

Overview

The Washington Student Association previously passed a massive statewide investment into our higher education system: the Washington College Grant. This is over a billion dollars in need based grants to Washington State students. The Washington College Grant Median Family Income (MFI) level, the calculation for qualification of the full college grant, was set at 55%. Over the pandemic, the legislature temporarily increased the MFI eligibility level to 60%. During the 2021-2022 academic year, over 14,000 University of Washington students received money from the Washington College Grant. The Washington College Grant is an entitlement, meaning as long as you meet the MFI eligibility, you are guaranteed to receive the full grant amount.

Now, we are asking the legislature to make further investments in the postsecondary education system by increasing the MFI to 70% permanently. This would bring in over 13,000 more students to the Washington College Grant system.

Take Action: Email legislators!

We need students to write to legislators on the House and Senate higher education committees!

If you are a Washington resident (just by living on campus, you are represented in the legislature), we need you to email members of the House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee and the Senate Higher Education Committee. You can find a list of the higher education committee members HERE.

Additionally, we need you to send messages directly to your elected officials! You can find your Senators and Representatives HERE. You can find their emails HERE. We recommend you send emails directly to committee members and cc Alex Davidson (asuwogr@uw.edu).

Check on the legislation’s website (coming soon!) to make sure the legislator you are about to email is not already listed as a co-sponsor, we don’t want to annoy/overwhelm our legislators. You can use the sample emails listed here:

Sample Email (if you have a personal story/currently receive the Washington College Grant)

Subject line: Increase WCG to 70% MFI Today!

Message Body:

Hello,

My name is NAME and I am currently a student at the University of Washington and a recipient of the WA College Grant.

INCLUDE A PERSONAL STORY HERE

I am very grateful for the investments that you have made in me, my family, and the state as a whole. Without this, I would not be where I am today. This is why I want to ensure that others have the opportunity that I had to elevate their socioeconomic status.

Please increase the MFI to 70% on the WCG this session. Our state is counting on your investments in basic education to meet the Governor’s goals and needs of our people.

We strongly urge you to invest in the success of our state, the success of our workforce, and the success of our students.

With gratitude,
NAME

Sample Email: You currently do not receive the WCG but would under the new MFI:

Subject Line: Increase WCG to 70% MFI TODAY

Message Body:

Hello,

My name is NAME and I am currently a student at the University of Washington not receiving the WCG due to being just above the threshold.

STORY: Your story and financial hardships for your family having to pay out of pocket/relying on loans/being at the border of financial aid

Being a middle class family in these economic conditions means we are one accident away from financial instability. Having multiple siblings who will also pursue a basic education will put any family right above the threshold into poverty.

The legislature needs to ensure that others have the opportunity to elevate their socioeconomic status without putting their entire family in financial hardship.

Please increase the MFI to 70% on the WCG this session. Our state is counting on your investments in basic education to meet the Governor’s goals and needs of our people.

We strongly urge you to invest in the success of our state, the success of our workforce, and the success of our students.

With gratitude,
NAME

Take Action: Sign in as “pro” on the bill!

This section will be added when the bill is scheduled for a public hearing.