The program requires early and accurate identification of current and former youth in foster care so they can be linked to the financial assistance and other services that will help them succeed in college. The sharing of information to identify eligible youth who experienced foster care is facilitated by chapter 28B.117 RCW.

(1) The office will seek verification from the department of children, youth, and families (DCYF), department of social and health services (DSHS), office of the superintendent of public instruction (OSPI), tribal authorities and/or as established through the institutions' financial aid offices awarding the passport funds based on appropriate documentation that applicants meet the passport student eligibility definition when:

(a) The office may enter into data share agreements with the DCYF, OSPI, DSHS and/or tribal authorities for the purpose of identifying and providing services to passport eligible students. In the event the office must initiate eligibility confirmation, the office will secure appropriate consent from the student.

(b) The student has completed the free application for federal student aid or the alternate approved application for state aid as provided by the office, giving the office and the institutions permission to verify information supplied on that application.

(2) The office will confirm the eligibility of foster youth to eligible institutions of higher education.

(3) The office will protect personally identifiable information in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (34 C.F.R. Part 99) and other applicable privacy standards.

(4) The office will maintain the consent and verification information for the period of the youth's passport eligibility. Thereafter, records will be maintained according to the record retention schedule in RCW 40.14.060.