Representative Drew Hansen’s bill protecting financial aid eligibility for DACA students passed out of the House Higher Education Committee on Wednesday.

As The Wire previously reported, HB 1488 would protect the financial aid eligibility of DACA students even if the program is eliminated on the federal level. The bill would also allow undocumented students, who meet several specific requirements, such as living in Washington for three years and graduating from a Washington High School, to access opportunities like the College Bound Scholarship Program.

In a press release, Representative Hansen said,

“We can do something right here in Washington state to make sure these students don’t lose their financial aid and college affordability benefits – even if DACA is eliminated.”

A similar bill, SB 5074, passed in the Senate by a 38-11 vote on Wednesday.

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