Washington state Senate lawmakers passed a bill on Tuesday afternoon that would increase tuition scholarships for students attending private colleges.

Senate Bill 5828, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles, D-Fircrest, would restore funding to the Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship specifically for these students. 

That reverses the effect of last year’s Senate Bill 5785, which decreased the state’s contribution for private university tuition scholarships, but left public school money alone. 

Before the vote, Nobles emphasized that the bill does not expand who can receive the funds, but only “balances some of the cuts that were made before.” The bill reinforces “fairness and stability” and pushes students to “explore greater opportunities,” she added.

Toppenish-based Heritage University, which is seeking to grow its satellite campus in downtown Kennewick, has sent several appeals to its students, alumni and supporters since the bill was introduced, encouraging them to tell lawmakers they should pass it.

“In short: This bill is good for students. It is good for access. And it is good for Washington,” wrote David Wise, Heritage’s senior vice president of advancement, marketing and admissions, in one of his emails. “We have already shown the Legislature that the people of this state are paying attention. Let’s reinforce that message and demonstrate – once again – that Washingtonians overwhelmingly support policies that expand opportunity rather than restrict it.”

Before last year’s cuts, the maximum award for students attending private universities was around $9,700. Last year’s measure reduced that award to around $6,500, or equal to 50% of the average tuition award for students attending public universities. 

SB 5828 would increase the maximum tuition award for students attending private universities from 50% to 90% of the average tuition scholarship awarded to students attending public research universities. 

Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett sponsored last year’s bill that cut the tuition awards. During Tuesday’s hearing, Robinson withdrew an amendment that would have essentially gutted Noble’s bill by maintaining that the maximum award amount would stay at 50% of the average award to public universities. 

The measure passed 41 to 7 and will now move to the House for consideration.

The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business contributed to this report.

This story is republished from the Washington State Standard, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet that provides original reporting, analysis and commentary on Washington state government and politics.