House Unveils Budget, Proposes the End of Financial Aid for Grad Students

After a weeklong delay, yesterday the House released its budget. They are proposing to cut nearly half a BILLION dollars from higher education funding, including well over $200 million to UW's budget. The proposal increases in-state undergraduate tuition by 26% over the biennium, and suspends the State Work Study program, in addition to other smaller financial aid programs that graduate and professional students benefit from.

This is a profound policy shift by the House. They in essence are proposing the END OF FINANCIAL AID for graduate and professional students.

Here is some news coverage, with The Daily's story including the GPSS perspective:

• The Daily: UW faces budget cuts and tuition hikes with release of state budget
• The Daily opinion: Budget reductions resemble those Wise warned of in letter
• Seattle Times: House Dems outline plan to close $5 billion state budget shortfall

We had a few hours to digest the budget before we had to go and testify on it. Here is the GPSS testimony, including GPSS Policy Analyst Lauren Hipp, myself, and Higher Education Coordinating Board member and UW law student Sam Shaddox:

Frances Youn, UW Student Regent:

ASUW President Madeleine McKenna and ASUW Senate Vice Chair Michelle Nance:



Washington Student Association Executive Director Mike Bogatay:



Nick Muy, representing the Evans School of Public Affairs: