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State lawmaker says college aid program needs funding

Calvin Fatagi with Marine Vacuum Service cleans the “W” logo for the University of Washington Tacoma on the corner of South 19th Street and Jefferson Avenue in Tacoma on July 21, 2015. Lui Kit Wong News Tribune file photo

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state's largest college aid program would get more money and a new name under a proposal heard in a key budget committee.

The Spokesman-Review reports the State Need Grant, which offers scholarships for low-income students, would eventually cover all eligible students under the new name: the Washington Promise Scholarship.

Although the program covered 68,205 students last year, 22,600 who were eligible received nothing because money ran out.

Sen. Guy Palumbo, a Democrat from Maltby, was the prime sponsor of the Washington Promise legislation. He says coming up with the money is a top priority this year.

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The proposal would retain the same eligibility requirements as the State Need Grant.

Students from a family between 51 and 70 percent of the state's median family income would receive a prorated award.