OLYMPIA — The Washington State Senate today approved Substitute Senate Bill 5841, sponsored by Sen. Matt Boehnke, to improve how students track progress on state and federal financial aid applications.
SSB 5841 seeks to strengthen Washington’s universal High School and Beyond Plan platform by requiring it to import financial aid application data maintained by the Washington Student Achievement Council. This will allow students, families, and authorized school staff to easily view a student’s progress and completion status for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).
“Too many students leave money on the table simply because the financial aid process is confusing or incomplete,” Boehnke, R-Kennewick, said. “This bill doesn’t create a mandate. Instead, it makes the process more transparent and easier to track by integrating financial aid application progress directly into a platform students are already using.”
The legislation also adds the Washington Opportunity Scholarship to the list of financial aid programs about which students must receive information as part of their High School and Beyond Plan.
Washington continues to rank among the lower states nationally in FAFSA completion. Supporters say improving visibility and coordination around financial aid applications will help more students access grants and scholarships that can significantly reduce the cost of postsecondary education and workforce training.
“This is about opportunity,” Boehnke continued. “Whether a student plans to attend a university, community or technical college, apprenticeship program, or trade school, financial aid can make the difference between moving forward and putting dreams on hold. By giving students and families a clearer picture of where they stand in the process, we’re helping them take that next step with confidence.”
The Senate approved the bill unanimously. It now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
The 60-day 2026 legislative session began Monday, Jan. 12, and will conclude March 12.
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