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.