MEDIA ADVISORY: January 23 COUNCIL MEETING

Council to meet in Olympia, discuss WA Grant as strategy to increase educational attainment

January 16, 2024

Olympia—As the 2024 legislative session gets underway, the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) will meet in Olympia on Jan. 23 to discuss strategies to increase educational attainment by leveraging the state’s largest financial aid program, the Washington College Grant (WA Grant). 

This session, the council is championing policies that would expand students’ awareness of WA Grant and its broad availability to Washington residents. One proposal, which is included in Governor Inslee’s proposed 2024 supplemental budget, would allow people who receive Basic Food benefits to verify eligibility for WA Grant without completing a financial aid application. WSAC has also requested a policy change that would increase the maximum time a person can receive WA Grant and other state financial aid to align with the more generous federal standard.

At the meeting, Council members will engage in a discussion with leaders from the Olympia region to hear about local efforts to increase postsecondary attainment and consider how the State can be a supportive partner. A second panel will include representatives from partner organizations that are working to increase attainment statewide.

The meeting will take place at Saint Martin’s University on Jan. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Formal public comment will begin at 3 p.m. A hybrid option is also available, with online registration required to attend via Zoom.

Resources:

• The public will have opportunities to comment during the meeting. Those who plan to attend should register on Zoom prior. 
• All meeting materials will be available online on the day of the meeting.
• Read the Washington Student Achievement Council's equity statement. 

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