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.