Sunset review: Dual Enrollment Scholarship pilot program

February 2024

Aaron Cavin, Team Lead
Ryan McCord, Audit Director | Eric Thomas, Legislative Auditor

Legislature created the scholarship for low-income students

The Legislature created the Dual Enrollment Scholarship pilot program in 2019 (2SHB 1973). The program gives financial aid for course fees, textbooks, and apprenticeship materials to eligible low-income students who are enrolled in Running Start at pilot sites. Running Start allows high school juniors and seniors to attend classes at community colleges and some universities tuition-free. They can earn college and high school credit at the same time.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) administers the scholarship program. Thirteen community colleges and universities serve as pilot sites.

Initially, the program also provided financial assistance to low-income students enrolled in the College in the High School program. Because the Legislature eliminated student fees for College in the High School in 2023 (SB 5048), students no longer need scholarships for it.

The scholarship program will sunset in 2025

The Dual Enrollment Scholarship pilot program is subject to the Sunset Act (RCW 43.131). It will end in 2025 unless reauthorized by the Legislature.

This study will address the following questions

Study questions define the scope of the audit, based on the study mandate and questions set out in the Sunset Act. They reflect preliminary outreach, research, and analysis of potential racial equity considerations per RCW 44.28.076.

1. To what extent has the Dual Enrollment Scholarship pilot program complied with legislative intent to reduce barriers and increase access to postsecondary education for low-income students?
   1. Are there racial disparities in student access to the program?
2. Has WSAC administered the program in an efficient and economical manner, with adequate cost controls in place?
3. To what extent does the program duplicate the activities of other entities or the private sector?
4. To what extent is WSAC meeting its performance measures for the program?
5. What are the possible effects of terminating or changing the program? Is there any evidence these effects could have disparate impacts on students?

What's next

• Preliminary Report: September 2024
• Proposed Final Report: December 2024

Study team

Aaron Cavin, Team Lead, (360) 786-5194
Aline Meysonnat, Research Analyst, (360) 786-5281