WA SB5658

Expands Washington College Grant eligibility so students with family incomes between 0-70% of state median family income receive the maximum grant (previously 0-55%), with prorated grants extending to families at 71-100% of median income

Creates a new $500 annual "bridge grant" for maximum Washington College Grant recipients (excluding College Bound Scholarship recipients) starting in the 2025-26 academic year to cover non-tuition expenses like books, transportation, housing, and child care

Requires all workforce education investment account revenues from the RCW 82.04.299 surcharge (beginning fiscal year 2025) to fund higher education programs in advanced computing and related STEM fields, with emphasis on access for underserved communities

Appropriates $6,000,000 from the workforce education investment account for the 2025-27 biennium to the University of Washington Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering to award 100 additional degrees by fiscal year 2029

Mandates automatic enrollment expansion at UW's computer science program when qualified Washington applicants exceed 100 on the waitlist, with annual reporting to the legislature on graduation rates, waitlists, time to completion, and degrees awarded