On Wednesday the House Committee on Higher Education held a public hearing on House Bill 2936, introduced by Representative Anderson in an effort to increase efficiencies in the state financial aid system. Evergreen did not testify during the hearing.

The intent of the bill, as articulated by Representative Anderson, would be to encourage younger students to enter higher education and keep financial aid paced with budget cuts. The mechanisms proposed to accomplish these goals – limiting State Need Grant eligibility to individuals under the age of twenty-nine and cutting off the award after two years – came under criticism by individuals testifying. Those voicing opposition included the State Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Council of Presidents, the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, members of the Council of Faculty Representatives, the Washington Student Association, the State Workforce Board, and the Independent Colleges of Washington State. Concerns included the exclusion of older students, who represent high percentages of community and trade college students as well as those who transfer into baccalaureate programs from community colleges, as well as those who do not move through the higher education system in traditional time frames.