WA HB1495

Establishes a college promise pilot program in eastern Washington beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, providing up to $5,000 annually for tuition and fees to at least 100 students per year who graduate from high schools within a 10-county region and enroll in local higher education institutions or apprenticeships within one year

Eligible students must complete FAFSA or state financial aid applications, have family income not exceeding 150% of state median family income, and participate in a mentoring program for postsecondary education

Creates a separate high school promise pilot program offering full tuition for two years of community college to graduating seniors from three selected high schools in the most populous county east of the Cascades

Funding combines private grants with state matching funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis, with $500,000 appropriated for fiscal year 2026 and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2027

Requires a legislative report by December 1, 2028 on student participation, degree completion within two years, and transfers to four-year institutions; all provisions expire August 1, 2029