When Dan Gomez graduated from Bremerton High School near the top of his class, his family didn't have enough money to send him to college. Raised by his grandparents, who live on their Social Security checks, and eager to help them after receiving a degree, the thought of funding his education with loans that could take years to pay back was daunting. He currently studies theater at Pacific Lutheran University. A new bill brought to the Legislature by Gov. Gary Locke would guarantee the scholarship a spot in the state's biennial budget. More than 5,600 students are eligible for the scholarship this year.
Students are only eligible for the scholarship for their first two years of college.
About one-third of the recipients from this year's graduating class will attend a community or technical college in the fall. There currently are 73 recipients at Olympic College. OC's Meredith Cox said the program has been especially helpful for students from middle-income families. Bruce Botka, director of government affairs for the state Higher Education Coordinating Board was equally supportive. The only word of dissent came from Jerry Sheehan, of the American Civil Liberties Union, who asked that the bill be amended so state scholarship money can not be spent at religious-based institutions.