The bill creates a new statewide scholarship program called the "supporting our early education degree seekers scholarship" as a new chapter in Title 28B RCW. Beginning in the 2027-28 academic year, eligible students enrolled at least part time in specified early childhood certificate or associate degree programs at community or technical colleges may receive awards that cover up to 90 credits of tuition and required services and activities fees (limited to 30 credits for students who already have an associate degree). Eligibility requirements include Washington resident status, family income between 61% and 150% of the state median family income, no prior bachelor’s degree, completion of the FAFSA or Washington application for state aid, a signed attestation to work in an early learning center for at least two years after program completion, and maintenance of satisfactory academic progress. Awards are calculated differently for the two income brackets and are designed to supplant or cover gaps after other gift aid and state grants or waivers; recipients also receive student support and wraparound services from their colleges. The bill creates an early education scholarship account in the state treasury and funds the scholarship by transferring $10,000,000 annually from the Washington advanced college tuition payment program account beginning August 1, 2027, with up to $500,000 per year available for administration. Those transfers may only be allocated if the referenced account’s actuarial funded status is at or above 120 percent. The office of student financial assistance administers the program, may adopt rules, and may collaborate with a statewide child care resource and referral organization. The Student Achievement Council, working with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, must conduct a sustainability study and report to the legislature by October 18, 2029 (that study requirement expires December 1, 2029). The bill also requires the council to mail a notice to current owners of tuition unit contracts and bars claims challenging the act if not filed before July 31, 2028. Legally, this is a creation of a new scholarship program and a new dedicated account (a new law), together with procedural changes governing funding transfers, administration, rulemaking authority, a reporting requirement, and a limited litigation bar. The text does not define several important terms or calculations referenced in the program: it does not define "early childhood stackable certificate" or "early childhood associate degree" beyond naming them; it does not specify how the state median family income is calculated or adjusted annually; it does not define how the actuarial funded status is measured for the source account; it does not provide full mechanics for coordinating or supplanting other state grants (e.g., Washington college grant); and it does not set out the statutory mechanism for any replacement of current Early Achievers funding.

If enacted, lowand moderate-income Washington residents training for early childhood careers could get up to three years of tuition-free coursework at community or technical colleges (up to 90 credits, or up to 30 credits for those who already have an associate degree) starting in 2027–28, and colleges must provide student supports while recipients are enrolled. Recipients must meet income and residency rules, complete financial aid forms, keep satisfactory progress, and agree to work in an early learning center for at least two years after finishing; award amounts will be adjusted in coordination with other state gift aid so students generally won’t get duplicative state grants for the same tuition. The scholarship pool will be funded by annual $10 million transfers from the state’s advanced college tuition payment account beginning August 1, 2027, with up to $500,000 per year for administration, but transfers can only occur if that account’s actuarial funded status is at or above 120 percent, so funding could be delayed or halted if that condition isn’t met. The Office of Student Financial Assistance, community and technical colleges, the Student Achievement Council, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and the state treasurer gain new duties around administering, funding, reporting, and study; owners of existing tuition unit contracts must be notified and legal challenges to the act must be filed by July 31, 2028. Important implementation details—such as exact definitions of eligible early childhood credentials, how state median family income and actuarial status are calculated, and the precise way this aid coordinates with or replaces existing Early Achievers funding—are not specified in the provided facts.