Holy's apprenticeship bill signed into law

OLYMPIA – A bill sponsored by 6th District Sen. Jeff Holy helping students seeking a vocational trade with the cost of their apprenticeship materials has been signed into law.

Senate Bill 6374 allows the Dual Enrollment Scholarship pilot program – created in 2019 – to now cover apprenticeship materials for eligible Running Start students. Materials may include course-related costs and tools specific to an occupation being studied. Gov. Jay Inslee signed the measure March 31.

"This bill allows people who want to pursue a vocational trade beginning in high school to have access to the help and materials they need," Holy, R-Cheney, said in a news release. "Adding the trades to the Running Start scholarship program opens up opportunities for more students. The materials and tools for some vocational trade programs can be too expensive for some students. This new law will help those students who will need some financial help."

According the bill's final report, to be eligible for the Dual Enrollment Scholarship program, a student must qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, be enrolled in one or more dual credit programs and have a grade point average of at least 2.0.

The award for Running Start students is equal to mandatory fees, prorated based on credit load, and course or lab fees, less any fee waivers already received. A student receives a textbook voucher, equal to $10 for every Running Start credit the student is enrolled for, up to a maximum of 15 credits per quarter or the equivalent per year. Additionally, an eligible student enrolled in a college in high school program may receive a scholarship for tuition and fees.

Materials covered under the bill also include work clothes, rain boots or gear.

The bill passed the Senate 47-1 on Feb. 18 and the House 96-0 on March 3.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].