Bills on college loans, producing more bachelor degrees hit governor’s desk

OLYMPIA – Hurdles college student face such as paying for tuition and getting into high demand programs should get easier to clear, thanks to two bills brought forth by state Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds.

“When I was a college professor, it pained me to hear my students’ struggles about how they would pay for the next semester,” said Shin, who has more than 30 years of teaching experience. “Too many students work two or three jobs just to stay afloat. Some go into an incredible amount of debt before graduating. Unfortunately, this is the reality we live in. I just want to give students another financing option.”

Senate Bill 5385 authorizes the Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority (WHEFA) to offer state-backed student loans, saving students an average of $5,000 over the term of the loan. The loan program would be of particular benefit to students who wouldn’t otherwise qualify for other types of loans due to income criteria. WHEFA, which issues bonds for school buildings, was asked to offer supplemental loans after the Washington Student Loan Finance Association was bought out by Sallie Mae in 2004.

The bill was signed today by Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Shin also sponsored Senate Bill 5731 creating a committee to study ways to increase the number of students enrolled in high demand fields. Although Washington is home to some of the nation’s most educated citizens, it doesn’t produce enough baccalaureate graduates to fill high demand fields. The bill also seeks to open up more room at the state’s public colleges and universities for 10,000 students a year until 2020, and to create partnerships with local business communities.

“We need to work in tandem with businesses, to make sure that students who are graduating from college will not only find employment, but will fill our work force needs,” said Shin.

SB 5731 passed unanimously in the House of Representatives. The bill is expected to be signed into law.

Return to Sen. Shin's home page