College Bound Scholarship program is too good to pass up -- so don't

This editorial appears in the May 22 Yakima Herald-Republic

Thousands of students from low-income families in Washington have a great incentive before reaching high school to truly think about going to college. In exchange for jumping through a few hoops, eligible students can get up to $30,000 for college if they keep their nose clean, keep their grades up and keep a promise to apply for more financial aid down the road.

It's some of the easiest money in the bank that many students in the Yakima Valley will ever see.

The money comes through the College Bound Scholarship program. The state Legislature provided $7.4 million in 2007 to fund it.

It's open this year to seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders. They have until June 30 to apply.

Next year, enrollment is open to seventh- and eighth-graders only.

The money begins flowing in 2012. Scholarships will pay for tuition and books at public two- and four-year colleges and universities, technical schools and many private colleges and universities in Washington.

Eligibility requirements are basically tied to household income. A family of four, for example, couldn't exceed $39,300 in annual income.

Statewide, about 90,000 students are eligible to apply this year, but only about a third of that many have done so.

In the broad swath of Central Washington served by Educational Service District 105 -- which includes the Yakima Valley -- about 40 percent of eligible students had signed up as of a week ago.

As we said, this program is aimed at getting kids to think early about going to college. Once they've signed up, they have to work toward that goal throughout high school by:

* Maintaining at least a 2.0 grade-point average.

* Staying out of serious trouble; in other words, no felonies.

* Applying for more financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) during their senior year.

(To cash in, students will need to provide a valid Social Security number upon graduation.)

Nick Hartman, a counselor at West Valley Junior High School, pointed out that "those requirements are things kids do or should be doing anyhow -- not getting a felony, graduating with a C average. The hardest part of this is filling out the form, and it's not a difficult form."

So why aren't more filling out the form? As many parents are aware, what goes home in a backpack doesn't necessarily leave the backpack. Or, forms that are taken out may get forgotten or neglected because the student needs help filling it out.

To get a better return, schools are doing a variety of things: classroom presentations, parent nights and community events. One such event is a forum scheduled at Yakima Valley Community College from 6-8 p.m. June 8.

Another, on May 28 in Mabton, includes a barbecue for parents. Mabton, incidentally, has been at the forefront of getting participation. More than 90 percent of its eligible students have signed up.

So, for those of you reading this: If you think your child is eligible, check that backpack, talk to your child and, if need be, contact your school. This deal is too good to pass up.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Barbara Serrano, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.