Shoreline Community College will receive $100,000 from the state for emergency grant funding for students

Shoreline Community College

Shoreline Community College has been notified that they will receive $100,000 from the state for student emergency grant funds.

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is distributing nearly $2 million statewide, earmarked to help students pay for unexpected bills and basic living expenses, like emergency car repairs, medical bills, food, childcare, transportation, rent and utilities.

The Student Emergency Assistance Grant Program, established under HB 1893, was passed in the 2019 legislative session. Sen. Frockt and Rep. Valdez, both representing the 46th legislative district, were prime sponsors.

Sixteen community and technical colleges, including Shoreline, will receive awards over a two-year period.
Last year, seven in 10 community college students nationwide experienced food or housing insecurity, according to a 2019 national survey by the Hope Center.

“So many of our students are living on the edge. An unexpected car repair or medical bill can force them to drop out of college,” said Jan Yoshiwara, executive director of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. 

“These grants recognize that living expenses are a type of educational expense; they go hand-in-hand. These grants will help students stay in school and achieve their dreams.”

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is led by a governor-appointed board and provides leadership, advocacy, and coordination for Washington’s system of 34 public community and technical colleges. Each year, about 363,000 students train for the workforce, prepare to transfer to a university, gain basic math and English skills, or pursue continuing education.