Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate

OLYMPIA… Today, two of Sen. Matt Boehnke’s bills, which would create more financial opportunities for students in Washington to attend college or a technical school, came one step closer to a vote by the full House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 5542 and Senate Bill 5543 were endorsed by the House Committee on Postsecondary Education and Workforce, with the former gaining unanimous support. Both are now before the committee that determines which legislation will be placed on the voting calendar.

SB 5542 would eliminate the requirement that a student be 19 years of age or older to be eligible for a tuition and fee waiver for a high school completion program.

“Education should never have an expiration date, and by removing the age restriction on high school diploma and certificate course fee waivers, this bill opens the door for more Washingtonians to pursue their education, regardless of their stage in life,” said Boehnke, R-Kennewick. “This bill is about breaking down barriers to opportunity. No one should be denied the chance to earn a diploma or certification simply because they don’t meet an arbitrary age requirement. By expanding access to fee waivers, we’re ensuring that more students, especially those facing financial hardship, can get the education they need to build a better future.”

SB 5543 would extend eligibility for College Bound Scholarships to students who have received a high school-equivalency certificate. Currently, only students with a high-school diploma are eligible.

“Every student deserves a fair shot at higher education, regardless of how they completed high school. Expanding this scholarship to include those with a high school-equivalency certificate removes an unnecessary barrier and opens doors for more students to pursue their dreams. This bill recognizes that success doesn’t follow a single path, and it ensures that financial aid is available to those willing to work for a brighter future.”

The measures have bipartisan sponsorship and were introduced in cooperation with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

Boehnke expects the bills will come up for a vote on the House floor ahead of the April 16 voting deadline. They were passed unanimously by the Senate during the first week of March.

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