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State

Become an Advocate

Learn how to become an ICW Advocate by clicking here or on the Legislative Action Center logo in the right sidebar. The center will keep you informed about issues before the legislature and about how you can make your voice heard on those issues. During the 2009 session more than 2,200 messages were sent to legislators and the governor, helping ICW successfully make its case for student aid.

ICW Supports Student Financial Aid

ICW’s top legislative priority each year is increasing the financial aid available to college students from Washington . We’ve been having great success in recent years; the state’s investment in its financial aid programs has increased by nearly $200 million over the last five years, and the eligibility limit for the State Need Grant Program has jumped from 55 percent of the state median family income in 2004 (just under $40,000 for a family of four) up to 70 percent (just over $52,000) today. As a result of ICW’s efforts, thousands more students are getting the help they need to pay for college. That money follows the student to the college of their choice, public or private.

A long-term goal is to push the Need Grant eligibility limit up to 100 percent of MFI , or $72,000 for a family of four. We had hoped to make progress on that this year; however the state’s budget shortfall made it impossible. Despite what many called the worst budget in 30 years, financial aid funding was increased by $52 million. Eligible students will receive larger Need Grants next year.

Need help applying for financial aid? That’s just a part of the useful information now available on ICW’s new Web site, ProjectOpportunity.net.

Transfer Credits

The legislature is considering the ease of transfer within the state. The Joint Access and Oversight Group (ICW is a member) has developed this background explanation of how transfers work in Washington state. All ICW colleges accept transfer students; in fact, about a quarter of new students each year are transfers. Most colleges are part of the “direct transfer agreement” that brings liberal arts students to the college as juniors with most prerequisites completed.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board is working on a proposal for a web-based advising system. Dubbed the “Academic GPS ,” the system would help students determine which classes will transfer for credit at other colleges. ICW is working to make sure independent colleges are included in the system. So far the legislature has declined to fund the Academic GPS , though this year ICW will participate in a HEC Board work group that will draw up plans for a one-stop college information web-based “portal” for students and families planning, preparing, and applying for college. The Academic GPS could be a part of such a portal.