Subject to amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the Washington national guard postsecondary education grant program is established. The program shall be administered by the office. In administering the program, the powers and duties of the office shall include, but need not be limited to:
(1) With the assistance of the Washington military department, the selection of eligible students to receive the Washington national guard postsecondary education grant as follows:
(a) An eligible student may receive a grant under this section to help pay for postsecondary education program costs as approved by the office. Awards shall be valued as follows:
(i) The difference between the student's tuition and required fees, less the value of any federal and state funded grant, scholarship, or waiver assistance the students [student] receives; and
(ii) Five hundred dollars for books and materials.
(b) The Washington military department shall ensure that data needed to identify eligible recipients are promptly transmitted to the office.
(c) The annual amount of each Washington national guard postsecondary education grant may vary, but may not exceed the annual cost of undergraduate tuition fees and services and activities fees at the University of Washington, plus an allowance for books and supplies.
(d) Washington national guard postsecondary [education] grant eligibility may not extend beyond five years or one hundred twenty-five percent of the published length of the program in which the student is enrolled or the credit or clock-hour equivalent;
(2) The award of grants funded by federal and state funds, private donations, or repayments from any participant who does not complete the participant's service obligation;
(3) The adoption of necessary rules and policies, including establishing a priority for eligible students attending an institution of higher education located in this state that is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges;
(4) The adoption of participant selection criteria. The criteria may include but need not be limited to requirements for: Satisfactory academic progress, enrollment in courses or programs that lead to a baccalaureate degree or an associate degree or a certificate, and satisfactory participation as a member of the Washington national guard;
(5) With the assistance of the Washington military department, the notification of participants of their additional service obligation or required repayment of the Washington national guard postsecondary education grant; and
(6) The collection of repayments from participants who do not meet the service obligations.
[ 2020 c 297 § 2; 2006 c 71 § 2; 1994 c 234 § 6.]