[Wsssc] Updated Student Services Bill Watch

[Joe Holliday]

Good afternoon, WSSSC. Here is an updated Student Services Bill watch, attached. Two bills that are no longer on this list, HB 1601 (expanding SSEH) and HB 1840 (expanding the Mental Health Counseling Pilot Program), did not make it out of the House Appropriations Committee. We are hopeful that the funding for both of these expansions will be included in the House Operating Budget bill when it comes out. Some key legislators have indicated that they will advocate for that. It would then need to appear in the Senate Operating Budget bill, or be negotiated in the budget reconciliation process.

Another bill to highlight, HB 1835 on the attached, has gone through some significant changes. SBCTC would receive funds to allocate to colleges that operate in the two ESDs with the lowest FAFSA completion rates, towards the end of increasing FAFSA/WASFA filing rates. Financial Aid specialists would be hired at the colleges, using the funding. We think four of our colleges might meet the criteria (I have already been in touch directly with the VPs at those colleges). Related to this, we also remain hopeful that our Decision Package to support Financial Aid Offices and connect with community-based organizations will be included in the budget.

Let me know if you have questions about any of these bills, and stay tuned! Another month to go, Session is scheduled to end on March 10.

Joe

[Compass]
Joe Holliday
Director, Student Services
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
jholliday at sbctc.edu<mailto:jholliday at sbctc.edu>* o: 360-704-4334 * f: 360-704-4418
sbctc.edu<https://www.sbctc.edu/> * Twitter: @SBCTCWashington<https://twitter.com/SBCTCWashington> * Facebook: @WASBCTC<https://www.facebook.com/wasbctc/>

SBCTC Vision:

"Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities."


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