This bill amends existing higher education statutes and adds a new section to chapter 28B.77 RCW. It expands the definition of “institution” in RCW 28B.92.030 to include approved apprenticeship programs for specified purposes and specifies that beginning in 2022-23 the maximum Washington college grant for students in approved apprenticeship programs is the same amount as the grant for students at two-year public institutions, except where tuition or fees are paid by the apprenticeship program or by other means. It also amends RCW 28B.124.030 to require all institutions of higher education to establish policies granting as many credits as appropriate for related supplemental instruction in active state apprenticeship programs, with credit approval within one year (subject to limited exceptions) and a requirement that such credits count toward a degree as of July 1, 2026. The bill adds a statewide procedural requirement directing the Student Achievement Council to adopt transfer and articulation policies by July 1, 2026 (aligned with RCW 28B.124.030) to ensure efficient transfer and transcript evaluation of related supplemental instruction credits across public twoand four-year institutions. The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and institutions must cooperate and provide staff support. The Office of Student Financial Assistance is referenced for assessment of apprenticeship program compliance based on how programs existed as of July 1, 2022, per chapter 166, Laws of 2022. This is primarily a procedural change affecting credit evaluation and transfer, and a modification of financial aid eligibility and definitions; it does not create a new crime or change criminal penalties. Important details are not included in the provided text: the statutory or regulatory definition of “related supplemental instruction,” the detailed procedures institutions must follow to evaluate and grant credits, the mechanics for determining when apprenticeship programs pay tuition and fees, and any funding, enforcement mechanisms, or penalties for noncompliance.

If enacted, apprentices in approved state apprenticeship programs will generally become eligible for the same maximum Washington College Grant amount used for students at two-year public colleges starting in 2022-23, and their coursework that counts as related supplemental instruction is expected to be awarded college credit and count toward degrees by July 1, 2026. That likely increases financial aid available to apprenticeship students and makes their training more likely to apply directly to college credentials, improving affordability and credential attainment for those students. Public colleges, universities, and other accredited institutions will need to create or revise policies to evaluate and grant appropriate credit for apprenticeship-related instruction within one year of program registration, and the Student Achievement Council must put statewide transfer rules in place by July 1, 2026 to make those credits move smoothly between twoand four-year public schools. That creates new administrative work and possible costs for institutions and system offices to change evaluation, transcript, and transfer processes; timelines and some operational details (what counts as related supplemental instruction, how tuition already paid by apprenticeships is handled, and enforcement or penalties) are not specified here and could affect how consistently the changes are applied.