(1) The legislature finds that the higher education coordinating board, in consultation with the higher education community, has completed a review of the state need grant program. It is the intent of the legislature to endorse the board's proposed changes to the state need grant program, including:

     (a) Reaffirmation that the primary purpose of the state need grant program is to assist low-income, needy, and disadvantaged Washington residents attending institutions of higher education;

     (b) A goal that the base state need grant amount over time be increased to be equivalent to the rate of tuition charged to resident undergraduate students attending Washington state public colleges and universities;

     (c) State need grant recipients be required to contribute a portion of the total cost of their education through self-help;

     (d) State need grant recipients be required to document their need for dependent care assistance after taking into account other public funds provided for like purposes; and

     (e) Institutional aid administrators be allowed to determine whether a student eligible for a state need grant in a given academic year may remain eligible for the ensuing year if the student's family income increases by no more than a marginal amount except for funds provided through the educational assistance grant program for students with dependents.

     (2) The legislature further finds that the higher education coordinating board, under its authority to implement the proposed changes in subsection (1) of this section, should do so in a timely manner.

     (3) The legislature also finds that:

     (a) In most circumstances, need grant eligibility should not extend beyond five years or one hundred twenty-five percent of the published length of the program in which the student is enrolled or the credit or clock-hour equivalent; and

     (b) State financial aid programs should continue to adhere to the principle that funding follows resident students to their choice of institution of higher education.

[2003 c 19 § 11; 1999 c 345 § 1. Formerly RCW 28B.10.801.]

NOTES:

     Finding -- Intent -- Short title -- Captions not law -- 2003 c 19: See RCW 28B.133.005, 28B.133.900, and 28B.133.901.