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Bill

SB 5308

Establishing the Washington guaranteed admissions program and requiring student notifications.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Drew Hansen and 6 co-sponsors

SB 5308 creates guaranteed university admission for eligible Washington students based on academic criteria and mandates institutional notification of eligibility pathways.

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
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Bill Summary · SB 5308

Legislative bill overview

SB 5308 establishes a guaranteed admissions program in Washington that would allow eligible students to secure admission to state universities based on meeting specific academic criteria, rather than through competitive admissions alone. The bill also requires institutions to notify students of their eligibility for guaranteed admission pathways.

Why is this important

Guaranteed admissions programs can increase predictability and access to higher education for students from underrepresented backgrounds and those attending under-resourced high schools. This addresses concerns about equity in college admissions while helping students and families plan for post-secondary education with greater certainty.

Potential points of contention

  • University autonomy vs. mandates: Institutions may argue that guaranteed admissions limit their ability to maintain academic standards or build diverse cohorts through holistic review processes
  • Definition of eligibility criteria: Disagreement over what academic thresholds qualify students (GPA, test scores, class rank) and whether they adequately serve disadvantaged populations versus creating a two-tiered system
  • Implementation and notification costs: Questions about resource requirements for universities to track and communicate guaranteed pathways to thousands of eligible students across multiple high schools
  • Impact on competitive applicants: Concerns from students who would not qualify about reduced admission slots available through traditional pathways

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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