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Rep. Phyllis Gutíerrez Kenney, serving the 46th District Serving part of King County and the city of Seattle. |
More students to find “Opportunity Pathway”
to college
thanks to bill approved by legislature
Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney says simplifying financial aid process will make it easier for families to figure out how to pay for college
April 15, 2009
OLYMPIA –
It’s an all too common problem. Many kids want to go to college, but
where do they go to find the financial aid opportunities that are
right for them and their families?
That question led Rep.
Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney to introduce legislation that places all of
the state’s financial aid and some federal programs under the
“Opportunity Pathway” brand.
“So many young students know
they want to go to college but they have no idea how to pay for it.
While Washington State ranks fourth in the nation for total
financial aid distributed to its students, the sheer number of
financial aid programs can make the process of finding and applying
for financial aid a real barrier,” said Kenney, the prime sponsor of
House Bill 2021. “We eliminate that barrier by simplifying how we
communicate about financial aid so anyone who wants to go to college
knows to look for an Opportunity Pathway first and foremost.”
The House passed the bill last month and the Senate
overwhelmingly voted in favor of the bill 38-9 on Tuesday, sending
the bill to Governor Christine Gregoire’s desk for her signature.
“Through the Opportunity Pathway program, a prospective student
would be able to determine which financial aid program would best
fit their needs and to help them pay for their higher education,”
Kenney said.
Opportunity Pathways will not only include
existing state grant programs, but also a new state low-interest
loan program that will expand educational opportunities for more
students, especially those in middle-income families.
The
bill will also allow colleges to include information on student’s
financial statements about tax credits the student might be eligible
for, encourages more work study placement with employers in
high-demand fields, and strengthens the state’s support for high
school students in dual enrollment programs by allowing higher
education institutions to assist students with their tuition, fees,
housing, books and lab equipment.
“Dual enrollment programs
such as College in the High School give students a chance at a head
start on their college education. But sometimes even the small costs
of a lab fee or textbook keeps kids from participating,” Kenney
said. “Opportunity Pathways will provide these students the
financial tools they need. This is especially important for our
students in our rural school districts and will help put them on the
road to a higher education.”