News

2020

Council to review 2021-23 Strategic Action Plan

November 12 | Olympia—On Wednesday, Nov. 18, the Washington Student Achievement Council will finalize development of the 2021-23 Strategic Action Plan. The Strategic Action Plan identifies key state policies to increase educational attainment. Keep reading.

Help on the way for more hungry college students

October 22 | Olympia—As the coronavirus worsens hunger for college students across the United States, thousands more community and technical college students in Washington state will receive food benefits.Keep reading (external link). 

Washington launches new resource for higher education consumers

October 6 | Olympia—Washington students and families have a new online resource to help them navigate the often complicated world of student loans and repayment. Created by the Washington Student Achievement Council, the Washington State Student Loan Education Site provides multiple learning modules to help education consumers better understand higher education costs and considerations. Keep reading. 

Apply for financial aid to get education or training, expand options during uncertain times

October 1 | Olympia—Oct. 1, 2020, marks the first day students can apply for financial aid for the 2021-22 school year. Given the ongoing economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19, education after high school is more important than ever. Filing a financial aid application gives people more options for the future. Keep reading. 

Council to approve proposals for the 2020 Strategic Action Plan  

August 26 | Olympia, WA—On Friday, Aug. 28, the Washington Student Achievement Council will hold a special meeting to approve proposals for inclusion in this year’s strategic action plan. Keep reading. 

Council welcoming new members, developing proposals to increase attainment amidst pandemic   

August 14 | Olympia—On Wednesday, Aug. 19 and Friday, Aug. 21, the Washington Student Achievement Council will discuss postsecondary education policy issues to address in its upcoming strategic action plan. Two recently appointed members will be in attendance, Sativah Jones and Alejandro Alcantar. Keep reading. 

National coalition urges Secretary DeVos to protect student loan borrowers as the end looms for CARES Act relief

August 6 | Olympia, WA—Default on student loans, pay rent, buy groceries, or keep the lights on? These are the difficult choices many student loan borrowers will face on Oct. 1—less than two months from now—unless U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos intervenes. That’s why a national coalition of state student loan advocates, including Washington’s, is calling on Secretary DeVos to extend pandemic relief for student loan borrowers beyond Sept. 30, 2020. Keep reading. 

Council will examine dual enrollment through equity lens

July 16 | Olympia—On Thursday, July 23, the Washington Student Achievement Council will explore data about racial inequities within dual enrollment programs. The council and other stakeholders in education will hear from a student panel and discuss how dual enrollment programs help increase diversity in postsecondary enrollment. Keep reading. 

Council to examine equity in postsecondary education during COVID-19 crisis

May 22 | Olympia—At its meeting on May 27, the Washington Student Achievement Council will apply an equity lens to examine trends in student outcomes. Specifically, the council will consider enrollment, student success, and new risks resulting from the public health and economic crises. Keep reading.

Washingtonians looking for their next career step have a new Compass 

April 9 | Olympia—The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has a new online resource. College & Career Compass is a tool that empowers adults to return to school, earn a credential, and advance in their careers. Keep reading.

WA student loan advocate weighs in on federal COVID-19 changes for borrowers

March 26 | Olympia—Washington’s student loan advocate has guidance to help borrowers navigate federal changes related to COVID-19. This guidance is likely to change as a result of the federal response to this rapidly evolving situation. Keep reading. 

It's never too late to apply for the Washington College Grant

March 5 | Olympia—The Washington College Grant is unique in that eligible students are guaranteed funding, regardless of when they apply. With the Washington College Grant, it's never too late for students to get help paying for their education.  Keep reading. 

National coalition of student loan ombudspersons urge automatic discharge for totally, permanently disabled civilian borrowers

March 3 | Olympia—Student loan ombudspersons from 7 states and Washington, D.C. call on U.S. Department of Education to grant the same automatic relief to totally and permanently disabled civilian borrowers as it is granting to veterans. Keep reading. 

New Report: Modest increase in state's educational attainment, critical populations still underserved in postsecondary  

February 5 | Olympia—The 2019 update to the Roadmap Report shows modest Increases in the rates of both high school and postsecondary educational attainment. However, critical populations are still underserved and underrepresented in high school attainment and postsecondary enrollment. Keep reading. 

WSAC launches FAFSA completion dashboard

January 28 | Olympia—There’s a great new way to pay for college in our state—the Washington College Grant. It gives more money to more people for more kinds of education. Now, the Washington Student Achievement Council has unveiled a new data dashboard to help schools and communities track how many students are applying for financial aid. Keep reading. 

Council will discuss opportunities to improve equity in dual credit

January 23 | Olympia—High school students are more likely to enroll and succeed in college if they have taken rigorous dual credit courses. In 2015, Washington seniors who participated in at least one dual credit program were twice as likely to enroll in postsecondary education the fall after graduation. But stark racial and income disparities persist. Keep reading. 

Statewide rate of students signing up for College Bound Scholarship increases to 72 percent

January 22 | Olympia—The Washington Student Achievement Council has recognized schools and districts that signed up more than 72 percent of last year's eligible 8th grade students for the College Bound Scholarship. Over 230 middle schools and almost 100 school districts exceeded the statewide sign-up rate of 72 percent—a 2 percentage point increase over last year’s state sign-up rate—and will receive Gold Star Awards for their efforts. Keep reading. 

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