Washington’s Student Aid Cuts:
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Lawmakers Cut Financial Aid,
Students and the State's Workforce Suffer
Washington State lawmakers recently voted to drastically cut two state financial aid programs for students from low-income families who attend independent, not-for-profit colleges and universities. The cuts undermine everything our state says it stands for: equity, opportunity, and building a strong local workforce, and impact students in the middle of their degree program.
What this means for students and our state
50% financial aid loss per student receiving College Bound Scholarship.
1/3 financial aid loss per student receiving Washington College Grant.
7,000 students already enrolled could be forced to drop out or increase debt.
The cuts impact the students most in need of aid to complete their degree.
Fewer graduates will be available to fill critical jobs in our state.
YOUR VOICE COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship were designed to:
Help students from low-income families afford college
Build a strong, educated workforce for Washington’s future
Now, the state is changing the rules mid-game—after promising support to students who’ve been planning for college since middle school.
why this matters
This isn’t just a budget cut. It’s a broken promise.
For students who count on financial aid to stay in school, graduate, and build their futures in Washington, these cuts could change everything.
Bottom Line
I'm a recipient of the Washington College Grant and the College Bound Grant. Financial aid is important to me because it makes my dream of going to college and getting a degree possible… I'm a low-income student, there's not a lot my family can do, so I have to rely on the generosity of the state and other scholarships to get my degree and to attain my dream.
—Diego, Seattle University
I am a recipient of the Washington College Grant. Financial aid gives me access to college and I’m really not able to attend it without any financial aid, so it’s really important.
—Reagan, University of Puget Sound
Financial aid is important to me because it allows me to pursue higher education.
—Mercedes, Heritage University
Financial aid makes it a possibility that I can even go to Seattle Pacific University which is a school that I love because of the community and small class sizes, and connections with my professors.
—Cassidy, Seattle Pacific University
Financial aid really does uplift someone like myself that’s a first generation student, that is passionate about equipping themselves for a career where they can give back to their community. We have to make sure that this financial aid is continued to supplement the education of students.
—Karla, Seattle Pacific University
Financial aid is very important to me. I look at it as a key essential, because if it wasn’t for financial aid, I don’t think I would go to college at all.
—Vernon, Whitworth University
I am a sophomore at Whitman College…. I wanted to go to a school that was in that same area so I could stay close to my family…. Thanks to the Washington College Grant, I was able to make that happen and pursue my education in the place that I wanted to go to, so I'm thankful for that.
—Mateo, Whitman College
One of the things that I want to see is that students across the state have equal chances and equal opportunities when it comes to education and their ability to afford it. I think that with the recent cuts, that was drastically impacted.
—Josiah, Saint Martin’s University
I’m a recipient of both the WA Grant and the College Bound scholarship. Financial aid is important to me because I need to see more people that are like me and in the same places as me in higher education.
—Kar, University of Puget Sound
I wanted to go to Gonzaga because of the small class sizes, because of the values, because of participation with professors, and because of the community. The Washington College Grant has allowed me to stay in my community and take full advantage of my education.
—Jack, Gonzaga University
