Passport student support funds are grant payments to institutions based on recruitment, retention, and support of passport eligible students. The payment is available only to institutions agreeing to provide specified student support services.

Institutional participation in the passport student support fund is voluntary. An otherwise eligible student can receive a passport scholarship to attend an eligible college even if the institution does not participate in the passport student support fund option.

To the extent that funds are allotted for this purpose, the amount of passport student support fund payments to institutions will be reviewed and determined annually by the office based on projected enrollments, appropriations, and other relevant factors.

Participating institutions shall meet the following criteria:

(1) Include on their applications for admission or on their registration materials a question asking whether the applicant has been in foster care in state, tribal or federal foster care in Washington state or is an unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness under the parameters in RCW 28B.117.040 (1) and (2). All other institutions of higher education, whether participating in the student support fund or not, are strongly encouraged to include this question on their admission application.

(2) Have a viable student support plan. The scope of a viable student support plan is one that generally:

(a) Identifies those students eligible for assistance under this program;

(b) Tracks and enhances academic progress of eligible students;

(c) Addresses their unique needs for assistance during school vacation and academic interims; and

(d) Links eligible students to appropriate sources of assistance in their transition to adulthood.

At a minimum, each institution's viable plan shall:

(i) Designate campus support staff;

(ii) Provide a comprehensive financial aid package taking into account available federal, state, institutional and private funding that, to the extent possible, meets the student's financial need;

(iii) Build a lasting institutional commitment to serve current and former foster youth and unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness; and

(iv) As appropriate, communicate with social services and independent living providers.

(3) Institutions choosing to participate will sign an addendum. The addendum to the state student financial aid participation agreement specifies the services that are to be provided through the institution's viable plan.