This afternoon the Washington Senate Majority Coalition Caucus held a press conference to announce the introduction of the Real Hope Act (SB 6523). The bill could go to the Senate floor as early as Friday.

The bill would allow students to be eligible for the State Need Grant program if they met the following criteria:

• Completed the full senior year of high school and obtained a diploma at a Washington public or private high school, or received the equivalent of a diploma;
• Lived in Washington for at least three years immediately prior to receiving the diploma or its equivalent;
• Continuously lived in the state after receiving the diploma or its equivalent and until being admitted to a public institution of higher education; and
• Provided to the institution an affidavit indicating that the individual will file an application to become a permanent resident at the earliest opportunity the individual is eligible to do so and a willingness to engage in other activities necessary to acquire citizenship.

Or

• Granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) Status;
• Completed the full senior year of high school and obtained a diploma at a Washington public or private high school, or received the equivalent of a diploma;
• Lived in Washington for at least three years immediately prior to receiving the diploma or its equivalent; and
• Continuously lived in the state after receiving the diploma orits equivalent and until
  being admitted to a public institution of higher education.

The bill mirrors similar legislation passed by the Washington House on the first day of session with a strong bipartisan vote.