Newsletters

Thank Legislators for Protecting Higher Education This Session
Thank Legislators for Protecting Higher Education This Session 600 600 College Promise Coalition

NEWSLETTER

Thank Legislators for Protecting Higher Education This Session

March 17, 2026

Last week, the 2026 legislative session concluded with Washington lawmakers taking important steps to protect higher education funding during a challenging budget year.

Thanks to legislative leadership, the state maintained key investments in higher education and financial aid and returned the Workforce Education Investment Account to its intended purpose: expanding access, strengthening high-demand programs, and helping Washington students connect education to meaningful careers. These decisions help preserve pathways for Washington students pursuing degrees, certificates, and apprenticeships.

This work matters.

Washington’s economy increasingly depends on workers with education and training beyond high school. Approximately three-quarters of job openings in the coming years will require a postsecondary credential. Ensuring students can access affordable education and training is essential to meeting workforce demand and strengthening our state’s economy.

At the same time, challenges remain.

Cuts made during the previous legislative session created barriers for many students, including reductions affecting programs such as the Washington College Grant. While lawmakers took important steps this year to maintain higher education investments, continued partnership and leadership will be needed to ensure every Washington student can access and complete a credential after high school.

Take a Moment to Say Thank You and Reaffirm the Work Ahead

Legislators make difficult decisions during tight budget cycles, and it is important they hear from students, families, employers, and community partners when they take steps to protect educational opportunity.

Please take a moment to thank your legislators for supporting higher education and Washington students.

When policymakers hear appreciation directly from their communities, it reinforces the importance of protecting financial aid, strengthening pathways to postsecondary credentials, and continuing the work to expand opportunity for students across Washington.

 Thank Your Legislators Today

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Students Cannot Afford More Cuts. Contact Your Legislators Today.
Students Cannot Afford More Cuts. Contact Your Legislators Today. 600 600 College Promise Coalition

NEWSLETTER

Students Cannot Afford More Cuts. Contact Your Legislators Today.

February 26, 2026

As lawmakers finalize budget decisions this session, Washington students cannot afford further cuts to financial aid and postsecondary education.

We encourage you to reach out today and urge lawmakers to protect student aid and keep pathways to degrees, certificates, and apprenticeships within reach.

Washington has set a goal that 70% of students will earn a postsecondary credential. That target reflects today’s workforce reality: nearly three-quarters of future job openings in our state will require education and training after high school.

Recent cuts have already created uncertainty for students.

For many, financial aid determines whether they enroll or delay their plans. When support is reduced, students take on more debt, work longer hours, or leave school altogether. These impacts fall hardest on students from low-income families, first-generation students, and those who already face barriers to opportunity.

The Washington College Grant has helped thousands pursue credentials that lead to family-supporting wages. It remains one of the most generous need-based aid programs in the country and is central to affordability and economic mobility in our state.

Take Action for Washington Students

Students and families deserve stability, clarity, and continued access to opportunity.

Please contact your legislators and share why protecting financial aid and postsecondary education matters to you and your community.

When lawmakers hear directly from students, families, and education partners, it reinforces what we know: protecting student aid strengthens economic mobility and Washington’s future.

Send a message to your legislator today.

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Protecting Student Aid Is a Statement of Our Values
Protecting Student Aid Is a Statement of Our Values 600 600 College Promise Coalition

NEWSLETTER

Protecting Student Aid Is a Statement of Our Values

February 17, 2026

As lawmakers continue making budget decisions this session, we must remember that budgets are more than numbers on a page. They reflect our values and priorities as a state.

Last year, reductions to student financial aid created real uncertainty for Washington students, particularly those from low-income families. As the Seattle Times Editorial Board recently noted, “Budgets are moral documents.” When support for students is reduced unevenly, it sends a mixed message about who we believe deserves access to opportunity.

Washington has long declared that education is our paramount duty. We have also set an ambitious goal: ensuring 70% of Washington students earn a credential beyond high school. That goal will not be achieved without strong, stable investments in financial aid programs like the Washington College Grant.

Higher education is not an expense. It is an investment that strengthens our workforce, expands opportunity, and delivers long-term returns for families and communities across the state. Protecting student aid is one of the most direct ways lawmakers can demonstrate their commitment to affordability, equity, and economic growth.

As budget negotiations continue, we urge legislators to prioritize students and preserve the financial aid programs that make postsecondary education possible for thousands of Washington families.

We encourage our community and partners to continue reaching out to their legislators and sharing why education beyond high school matters. When lawmakers hear directly from students, families, educators, and employers, it reinforces what the data consistently show: protecting student aid strengthens economic mobility, workforce readiness, and Washington’s future.

Send a message to your legislator now with our simple tool.

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Olympia Is Back in Session. Washington Students Are Counting on It.
Olympia Is Back in Session. Washington Students Are Counting on It. 600 600 College Promise Coalition

NEWSLETTER

Olympia Is Back in Session. Washington Students Are Counting on It.

January 27, 2026

As the legislative session gets underway in Olympia, the stakes for Washington students are coming into sharp focus.

Lawmakers have convened at a moment when students are doing everything asked of them. They are setting goals, pursuing credentials, and preparing to contribute to Washington’s economy. The question now is whether state leaders will meet that momentum with the investments students need to succeed.

Across the state, students, families, educators, and advocates are working to keep postsecondary opportunity within reach. As the session begins, those efforts deserve strong follow-through from policymakers.

Students Are Ready. Washington Must Be Ready Too.

Over the past year, we have shared stories of students like Zari, Colton, and Rodrigo, who have big dreams for their futures. They want to earn credentials, build skills, and step into careers that support themselves, their families, and their communities.

Their stories reflect a broader reality. Washington’s economy is expected to see more than 1.5 million job openings by 2032, driven by growth and retirements. Seventy-five percent of those jobs will require education beyond high school, including degrees, apprenticeships, and industry-aligned certificates. Students understand this reality and are preparing accordingly.

The Opportunity Ahead Is Significant

Recent progress shows what is possible when barriers are removed. Financial aid completion has reached record levels and enrollment among students receiving need-based aid is rebounding.

With the legislative session now underway, decisions made in Olympia will determine whether Washington builds on recent gains or allows opportunity to slip out of reach. Postsecondary education has already absorbed significant cuts, affecting colleges, universities, and the student aid programs that help keep opportunity within reach. Further reductions would put that progress at risk.

This Is the Moment to Act

That is why the College Promise Coalition has launched a Contact Your Legislators tool. In just a few clicks, you can send a message urging lawmakers to prioritize education beyond high school so students can succeed and Washington’s economy can thrive.

When legislators hear directly from constituents, it reinforces what student stories and data already show: education beyond high school is essential to economic mobility, workforce readiness, and a strong future for our state.

Together, we can support students, strengthen our economy, and build a more equitable future for Washington.

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Ending the Year with Momentum and a Call to Act for Washington Students
Ending the Year with Momentum and a Call to Act for Washington Students 600 600 College Promise Coalition

NEWSLETTER

Ending the Year with Momentum and a Call to Act for Washington Students

December 19, 2025

As we close out the year and look ahead to the upcoming legislative session, there is reason for both optimism and urgency when it comes to Washington students.

Across the state, students, families, educators, and advocates are doing their part to keep postsecondary opportunity within reach. At the same time, decisions that lawmakers make in the months ahead will determine whether that momentum continues or stalls.

As we prepare for the work ahead, we wanted to share some encouraging news, alongside clear signals from voters.

A Record Year for Financial Aid Completion

Washington reached an important milestone in 2025. For the first time on record, more than half of the state’s graduating seniors completed a financial aid application.

Roughly 53% of the class of 2025 filed either the FAFSA or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA), according to new analysis from the Washington Student Achievement Council. Even more encouraging, completion increased most among students from low-income families, rising from 38% in 2024 to 44% in 2025.

This progress matters. Completing a financial aid application is one of the earliest indicators of whether a student will go on to earn a degree, certificate, or apprenticeship. Students who complete the FAFSA are more likely to enroll, persist, and complete a credential. That is critical in a state where 75% of job openings will require post-high school credentials.

Voters Are Clear About What Comes Next

This momentum aligns closely with what Washington voters are telling us.

In a recent statewide survey of Washington voters, 77% said some form of education beyond high school is necessary to succeed in today’s work world. Three-quarters support the state’s goal of having 70% of Washington students complete a degree, apprenticeship, or industry-aligned certificate or license by 2030, with support cutting across party lines.

Voters also recognize the cost barriers students face. Large majorities say student loan debt prevents people from pursuing education and from getting ahead in life. In that context, nearly seven in ten voters disapprove of recent cuts to education beyond high school.

Taken together, the message is clear. Washingtonians value postsecondary education, believe it is worth the investment, and want state leaders to protect access and affordability.

Turning Progress into Lasting Change

Record financial aid completion did not happen by accident. It reflects years of coordinated effort, smart policy choices, and sustained investment in students.

But progress remains fragile. Recent state-level cuts and ongoing uncertainty at the federal level threaten the very programs that are helping more students take the first step toward a credential.

As lawmakers prepare to convene, they have a choice. They can build on what is working, or they can reverse gains that students and families worked hard to achieve.

What We Are Calling for This Session

As the legislative session begins, the College Promise Coalition urges lawmakers to:

  • Protect core investments and avoid additional cuts that harm students and shrink opportunity.
  • Champion programs that remove barriers and help students complete high-value credentials, including restorations for the inequitable cuts to proven student aid programs.

As a state, we cannot retreat from our commitment to our students. We must make them a priority, remove barriers, and ensure they have pathways to credentials that align with their goals and lead to economic mobility and family-sustaining careers.

Together, we can keep Washington’s promise to our students and build a stronger, more equitable future.

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In a Time of Uncertainty, Washington Students Need Steadfast Support
In a Time of Uncertainty, Washington Students Need Steadfast Support 600 600 College Promise Coalition

NEWSLETTER

In a Time of Uncertainty, Washington Students Need Steadfast Support

November 13, 2025

Tamariya

The 2025 legislative session in Olympia is fast approaching, and the stakes for Washington students have rarely been higher.

As our state begins important budget conversations following significant funding cuts to higher education last session, the outlook from the federal government is growing more uncertain. If federal support falters, state aid becomes even more critical.

That is why protecting the Washington College Grant (WA Grant), one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country, must remain a top priority. The WA Grant is transforming access to higher education, giving students across Washington the resources they need to pursue their dreams and strengthen our shared future.

During the last legislative session, lawmakers made substantial cuts to higher education, including reductions that affected students receiving the WA Grant. Postsecondary education in Washington cannot absorb any additional cuts without risking student progress and long-term workforce goals.

Washington’s Bright Future and a Growing Challenge

Washington’s economy is expected to see more than 1.5 million job openings by 2032, with three out of four requiring a post-high school credential such as a degree, apprenticeship, or industry-aligned certificate. These opportunities reflect a thriving state economy that needs skilled workers more than ever.

But despite positive trends in enrollment among students receiving need-based aid, overall credential attainment remains too low. Only 40% of Washington high school students are projected to complete a credential by the time they are 26, leaving a projected shortfall of nearly 600,000 skilled workers by the end of the decade.

This gap underscores why the WA Grant is indispensable. It ensures that the door to opportunity stays open, particularly for students from low-income families, first-generation students, and communities of color.

Students at the Center

Behind every data point are real students whose lives are changed by access to financial aid. For Tamariya, pursuing higher education has been a journey of perseverance and purpose. After earning her Associate of Applied Science degree, she continued on to North Seattle College, where she is now enrolled in the Early Childhood Education Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program. Her goal is to become an early childhood educator and, eventually, take on a leadership role that helps shape classrooms that nurture and support young learners.

Tamariya was inspired to pursue college because she has always had a passion for working with children and wanted to make a difference in their lives. “I knew education would give me the knowledge and tools to turn that passion into a career,” she said. Balancing school, work, and personal responsibilities has been challenging, but she credits the support of her family, instructors, and financial aid resources for helping her stay in school.

“When I found out I qualified [for the Washington College Grant], I felt incredibly relieved and grateful, because it meant I could continue my education without so much financial stress,” Tamariya said. “It’s been life-changing because it’s allowed me to continue my studies full-time while focusing on my career goals. Without it, I likely would have had to work more hours, delay my education, or take out loans.”

Now looking ahead, Tamariya is focused on completing her BAS program and beginning her career as an early childhood educator. She hopes to make a difference “by supporting children during their most important years of development and being a positive role model for other students in my community who are thinking about pursuing higher education.”

Why It Matters Now

Recent data show encouraging signs:

  • Enrollment of students receiving need-based aid has increased by 30% at community and technical colleges and 4% at public four-year institutions during the pandemic recovery period.
  • At community and technical colleges, enrollment by racial/ethnic group rose the most for Black/African American students with a 28.4% increase and Latino students with a 26.9% increase from 2022 to 2024. Meanwhile, American Indian/Alaska Native (+16.2%) and Black/African American (+13.9%) student enrollment rose the most at public four-year institutions.
  • Washingtonians overwhelmingly value higher education. Three-quarters of voters support the state’s 70% credential attainment goal.

These are hard-won gains, but they are fragile. Recent state-level cuts could reverse this momentum, making it harder for students to access college and for employers to find skilled workers, making it harder for students to access college and for employers to find skilled workers. If funding for programs like the Washington College Grant is reduced further, it would have devastating consequences, particularly for students of color, women, and first-generation college students.

What We Can Do

To maintain Washington’s progress, the College Promise Coalition urges state leaders to:

  • Protect and sustain funding for the Washington College Grant and other proven student aid programs.
  • Avoid further cuts that limit access, affordability, and opportunity.
  • Keep Washington’s workforce goals on track by prioritizing postsecondary access and credential completion.

And our broader community has a role, too. Encourage the students in your family, schools, and networks to complete the FAFSA or WASFA now. Applications are open, and there is more funding available than many realize.

Looking Ahead

As Washington lawmakers prepare for the upcoming session, they have an opportunity to protect and restore critical investments in higher education. Students are working hard to earn credentials that will power our economy. Now, our job is to ensure every student has the support they need to finish strong.

Together, we can keep Washington’s promise, protecting opportunity, strengthening our workforce, and building a brighter, more equitable future for all.

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Financial Aid Does Not Just Fund an Education. It Builds Opportunity, and that Benefits All of Us.
Financial Aid Does Not Just Fund an Education. It Builds Opportunity, and that Benefits All of Us. 600 600 College Promise Coalition

NEWSLETTER

Financial Aid Does Not Just Fund an Education. It Builds Opportunity, and that Benefits All of Us.

October 25, 2025

Tamariya Smith
Marc-Antony Johnson

For students like Tamariya and Marc-Antony, financial aid opened doors that once felt out of reach and kept those doors open when the path forward got tough.

Tamariya recently graduated with her Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and is now pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Early Childhood Education at North Seattle College. Balancing school, work, and family responsibilities hasn’t been easy, but the Washington College Grant (WA Grant) helped make it possible.

“Without it, I likely would have had to work more hours, delay my education, or take out loans,” Tamariya says. “It’s been life-changing because it’s allowed me to continue my studies full-time while focusing on my career goals.”

For Marc-Antony, now part of the University of Washington Tacoma Class of 2029, financial aid means more than affordability. It represents equity and opportunity. A transfer student from Evergreen State College, Marc-Antony is studying law and is already active in campus groups focused on activism and lobbying at the State Capitol.

“Financial aid does not just fund an education. It builds opportunity, and that benefits all of us,” he says. Without the Washington College Grant, “I would be pressured into working full-time to help my family stay afloat, and I would likely have to step away from school.”

Both students are proof that when Washington invests in education, it invests in its people. They represent future teachers, advocates, and leaders who are committed to making a difference in their communities.

Why This Matters

Tamariya and Marc-Antony’s stories highlight what happens when students have access to the resources they need to succeed. Yet many Washington students still face significant barriers, including rising costs, limited awareness of aid, and the risk of funding cuts that could close pathways to opportunity.

Washington’s economy is projected to have more than 1.5 million job openings by 2032, with 75% requiring a post-high school credential. To meet that demand, programs like the Washington College Grant are essential. They don’t just help students pay for college; they help build the skilled workforce that keeps our state strong.

Keep the Momentum Going

Supporting students like Tamariya and Marc-Antony means supporting Washington’s future. When lawmakers invest in programs that make higher education accessible, they create lasting impact for students, families, communities, and the state’s economy.

Financial aid isn’t just about getting through college. It’s about what happens after: stronger communities, a more resilient workforce, and opportunity that multiplies.

Call to Action

Do you have any high school seniors in your network? Encourage them to apply for financial aid for the 2026-27 academic year, as applications are now open!

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“Without student aid, I wouldn’t be in college. It’s that simple.”
“Without student aid, I wouldn’t be in college. It’s that simple.” 600 600 College Promise Coalition

NEWSLETTER

“Without student aid, I wouldn’t be in college. It’s that simple.”

September 16, 2025

Kathleen Duncan

For Kathleen Duncan, a student at Clover Park Technical College, financial aid didn’t just open the door to higher education, it kept her there. Scholarships, work-study, and grants like the Washington College Grant (WA Grant) allowed Kathleen to cover tuition, pay for books, and make ends meet. That support has made all the difference.

Kathleen first earned her associate degree in early childhood education, preparing for a career helping young learners thrive. Now, she’s pursuing a second associate degree in graphic design, building on her creativity. Along the way, she’s also found her voice as a student advocate, working to ensure every student feels supported, seen, and valued on campus.

“Financial aid gave me that support. It gave me a community. And it gave me the tools to build a better future for myself and for others. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, and I’m even more excited for what’s ahead,” Kathleen says.

Why This Matters

Kathleen’s story reflects the promise of higher education when students have the resources they need. But too many students across Washington still face barriers such as rising costs, complex systems, and cuts to critical support programs.

Our state is projected to see more than 1.5 million job openings by 2032, with 75% requiring a credential after high school. Yet, Washington faces a shortfall of nearly 600,000 skilled workers. Programs like the WA Grant are essential to closing that gap by ensuring that students can pursue their dreams, and that Washington has the talent to meet workforce needs.

We cannot afford to roll back progress. Community and technical college enrollment is beginning to rebound after the pandemic, especially among students of color, but those gains are fragile. If core investments like the WA Grant are cut, students will face fewer choices, and our state will face even greater workforce challenges.

Support Today’s Students, Strengthen Tomorrow’s Workforce

Lawmakers must continue to invest in students like Kathleen by protecting financial aid and programs that remove barriers to education. When students have the resources they need, they don’t just chase their own dreams, they help others do the same.

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Washington’s Students Are Ready: Let’s Not Hold Them Back
Washington’s Students Are Ready: Let’s Not Hold Them Back 600 600 College Promise Coalition

NEWSLETTER

Washington’s Students Are Ready: Let’s Not Hold Them Back

July 7, 2025

Zari
Colton
Rodrigo

Students like Zari, Colton, and Rodrigo have big dreams and are ready to build the skills our state needs. Washington’s economy is expected to see more than 1.5 million job openings by 2032, but 75% of these jobs will require education beyond high school such as degrees, apprenticeships, and industry-aligned certificates.

Yet too many students still face barriers like rising costs, confusing financial aid systems, and cuts to the programs that help them succeed.

Zari, a Pacific Lutheran University senior, used the Washington College Grant to earn her degree in Communication minoring in music without extra debt. Without it, she says she would have been forced to take out more loans or work longer hours, putting her education at risk. Today, she is ready to contribute her creativity and voice to nonprofit marketing, content creation, and her community.

Colton, a senior at Whitworth University, is studying business management and minoring in music. Growing up in a small town, he wanted to see more of the world and reach his full potential. Switching majors was challenging, but supportive advisors helped him find the right path. The Washington College Grant changed his question from “Can I afford higher education?” to “What school do I want to go to?” It allowed him to self-fund his education with part-time work, reduce his debt, and even travel abroad with the Wind Symphony, expanding his perspective and growth. Now, he’s ready to take the next step and launch his career.

Rodrigo, a student at Western Washington University, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in Management Information Systems. Born in Guatemala, Rodrigo’s family moved to the U.S. for a better future. At first, the cost of college seemed impossible, and he nearly gave up on his dream. Learning about FAFSA, the Washington College Grant, and other scholarships turned things around. Now, he’s able to earn his degree without the burden of overwhelming debt. Through work-study and an AmeriCorps position, Rodrigo discovered his passion for helping others and giving back. Today, he works at Futures NW guiding students and families through the FAFSA process, paying forward the support he received and showing what’s possible when students have the right resources.

Protect pathways to opportunity

Students like Zari, Colton, and Rodrigo need our help. Recent budget cuts threaten the very programs that keep college and training pathways open, including the Washington College Grant.

Washingtonians value postsecondary education. Nearly 90% of our high school students say they want to continue their education after high school. Enrollment is climbing at our community and technical colleges, especially among students of color. But these gains are fragile. Cutting funding now could reverse this momentum, leaving students with fewer choices and our state with a shortfall of nearly 600,000 skilled workers by 2032.

Call to action: Keep Washington’s promise to students

As lawmakers look ahead, we urge them to protect core investments in postsecondary education, maintain programs that remove barriers for students, and make it easier for every student to earn the credential they need to succeed.

Together, we can ensure cost and uncertainty do not stand in the way of Washington’s students and our state’s future.

In partnership,
College Promise Coalition

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The Washington Grant Helped Zari Turn Passion into Purpose
The Washington Grant Helped Zari Turn Passion into Purpose 600 600 College Promise Coalition

NEWSLETTER

The Washington Grant Helped Zari Turn Passion into Purpose

April 23, 2025

Zari

The Washington College Grant (WA Grant) is more than just financial aid—it’s a pathway to opportunity and a brighter future. For Pacific Lutheran University senior Zari Warden, the WA Grant made it possible to pursue her education without the weight of overwhelming costs.

“Without the Washington College Grant, I would’ve worked more hours outside of work-study and felt more financially insecure,” Zari said. “I most likely would have taken out an additional loan, which would’ve been an additional financial hardship. I’m lucky to have not experienced that!”

Zari’s college journey has been one of discovery, creativity, and growth. She’s passionate about music, content creation, and building community—and thanks to financial aid, she’s been able to explore those passions instead of taking on extra jobs or additional debt.

After graduation, Zari hopes to work in nonprofit marketing and communications, continue making and performing her original songs, and working on the podcast series she created for her senior capstone.

Without the WA Grant, Zari says she likely would have needed to take out more loans—and may have missed out on experiences that shaped who she is today. “I’ve grown so much over the past four years. I can’t wait to continue impacting the community using the skills and lessons I carry with me.”

Call to Action: Help protect the Washington College Grant

As state lawmakers make important budget decisions, students like Zari are counting on our support. We encourage you to reach out to your legislators and ask them to protect the WA Grantand ensure every student can pursue the post-high school path that’s right for them.

Together, we can make sure cost isn’t a barrier to education—for Zari, Colton, Rodrigo, and all students across Washington.

In partnership,
College Promise Coalition

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College Promise Coalition

The College Promise Coalition is a broad-based group advocating for increased higher education access and opportunity for Washington students.

cpc@collegepromisewashington.org

© 2026 | Paid for by College Promise Coalition

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