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WashingtonSB 59632025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Modifying funding for the passport to careers program and eligibility for the Washington college grant.

Sponsored By: T'wina Nobles (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More college grant access for Passport students

Starting in the 2026–27 academic year, Passport to Careers eligibility provides a new path to the Washington College Grant. You must be a Washington resident student without a bachelor’s degree or higher. You must be enrolled or accepted at a Washington college for at least three quarter credits, or equivalent semester credits, or enrolled in an approved registered apprenticeship. You must file an approved financial aid application each year; the law specifies no award amount. Beginning June 11, 2026, Passport measures financial need as attendance costs minus the federally calculated student aid index, replacing the former family contribution measure.

Student aid funds share one account

The law creates a State Financial Aid Account held by the state treasurer, outside the state treasury. It holds funds for the Washington College Grant, state work-study, Washington Scholars, Washington Award for Vocational Excellence, Educational Opportunity Grant, and Passport to Careers. Beginning June 11, 2026, the student aid office must deposit all Passport program money into this account. The account accepts legislative funding and private contributions, and unused money does not expire when a fiscal period ends. Only the student aid office’s director or designee can approve spending, which must follow each program’s purposes and funding conditions. The account is exempt from standard state appropriation and allotment controls. During the 2025–2027 fiscal biennium, the legislature can direct transfers to the state general fund. The law specifies no new funding amount or direct student payment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bob Hasegawa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Claire Wilson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Javier Valdez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Chapman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rebecca Saldaña

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sharon Shewmake

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 140 • No: 1

House vote • 3/3/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 92 • No: 1 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 2/13/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/14/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 44, 2026 Laws.

    3/14/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/14/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/9/2026legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/5/2026legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/4/2026legislature

  7. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/3/2026Senate

  8. Third reading, passed; yeas, 92; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 5.

    3/3/2026Senate

  9. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    3/2/2026Senate

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/25/2026Senate

  11. PEW - Majority; do pass.

    2/24/2026Senate

  12. PEW - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/24/2026Senate

  13. First reading, referred to Postsecondary Education & Workforce.

    2/17/2026Senate

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    2/13/2026Senate

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/13/2026Senate

  16. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/12/2026Senate

  17. WM - Majority; do pass.

    2/9/2026Senate

  18. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/9/2026Senate

  19. Referred to Ways & Means.

    1/23/2026Senate

  20. And refer to Ways & Means.

    1/22/2026Senate

  21. HEWD - Majority; do pass.

    1/22/2026Senate

  22. First reading, referred to Higher Education & Workforce Development.

    1/12/2026Senate

  23. Prefiled for introduction.

    1/5/2026Senate

Bill Text

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