OLYMPIA — A bill aimed at increasing the number of students earning postsecondary credentials passed the Washington State House this week, according to an announcement from the bill’s primary sponsor, Rep. Julia Reed, D-Seattle.

HB 2025 the bill increases opportunities for students receiving federal work study grants to work as near-peer college access advisors, according to the announcement. 

“Applying to and enrolling in college can be overwhelming,” Reed wrote in the announcement. “Who better to help students navigate the process than someone who’s recently completed the process?”  

The bill allows for the Office of Student Financial Assistance to grant reimbursement rates greater than 80% for off-campus community service placements and make hiring college students to serve in college access roles less expensive, according to the announcement. Near peer counselors address the shortage of high school college counselors in Washington state, Reed wrote. The negative effects of this shortage are felt most in underserved districts.  

“High school graduation rates are the highest they’ve ever been,” Reed wrote. “That’s great, but it’s only half of the equation. If Washington is going to meet its workforce demands, we have to make sure we’re hitting that 70% mark for post-secondary credentials.”  

HB 2025 passed the House with a vote of 95 to 2. It moves on to the Senate for consideration