Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen calls for transparency on funds being disbursed through the WASFA program

Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen recently introduced new legislation that calls for more transparency and accountability for the money being disbursed through the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).

The federal government gives student aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid program for U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and eligible non-citizens. Undocumented individuals do not qualify for financial aid. In Washington, we have those students apply for aid using WASFA.

However, there is no current accounting mechanism in place to track the amount of aid the state is handing out through this program.

“This bill simply asks for an accounting of the amount of aid we are giving out on the WASFA applications,” said Jacobsen, R-Puyallup. “Currently, we cannot get an accounting of this money. When we decide to fund a priority, we need to count the cost. This is essential to effective, transparent budgeting.”

Under House Bill 1447, beginning with the 2025-26 academic year, the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) would track the amount of state aid awarded to each student who receives funds through the WASFA. The total award amounts collected would be made publicly available on the WSAC website.

Fellow House Republicans Rep. Jim Walsh, Rep. Matt Marshall, and Rep. Jeremie Dufault, are co-sponsoring the bill.

“It is absurd for the state of Washington to bypass FAFSA’s citizenship requirements by creating a parallel program for illegal immigrants, especially when this undermines federal guidelines and shifts the financial burden onto Washington taxpayers,” said Matt Marshall, R-Eatonville. “This not only disregards legal processes but also compromises resources meant for citizens and legal residents.”

Beginning December 1, 2026, HB 1447 would mandate WSAC to annually report to the appropriate committees of the Legislature the following data:

  • The total number of students who applied for state financial aid using the Washington application for state financial aid.
  • The total number of students who received state financial aid through the Washington application for state financial aid.
  • The total amount of state aid disbursed to each institution of higher education on behalf of a student who submitted a Washington application for state financial aid.

“Precious financial resources for Washington college students should be focused on Washington citizens. Diluting resources by giving them to students who are not residents of Washington is a waste of taxpayer money,” said Walsh, R-Aberdeen.

HB 1447 now waits for a public hearing in the House Post Secondary Education and Workforce Committee.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov