Media Release: College Bound sign-up rates

Governor recognizes highest number of schools, districts for College Bound sign-up rates

January 17, 2019

Olympia—Governor Inslee has recognized 287 schools and 123 school districts for signing up more than 70 percent of their students who were eligible for the College Bound Scholarship. Schools who exceeded the state sign-up rate of 70 percent will receive Gold Star Awards. Over 30,000 of last year’s eighth graders signed up for the College Bound Scholarship. Find the list of Gold Star schools and districts along with district sign-up rates on the Washington Student Achievement Council’s website.

Students who sign up for the scholarship graduate from high school and enroll in college at higher rates than their low-income peers. The first cohort of College Bound students graduated from high school in 2012. Since then, the four-year high school graduation rate for these students has consistently been similar to the statewide average, and over 10 percentage points higher than for low-income students who were eligible, but didn’t sign up. The first few cohorts of students who signed up for the scholarship have begun enrolling in college and do so at rates similar to the statewide average. 

Eligible students must sign up in middle school, by the end of their eighth grade year, to receive this early commitment of state funding. In combination with other state aid, the scholarship covers tuition at public college rates. To receive the scholarship, students must enroll in an eligible college within one year of high school graduation.