Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It has been a busy few months during the legislative interim this summer. As we head into the fall, I’m excited to provide you an update on my work and priorities as we near the 2026 legislative session.
On Saturday, October 18, from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., please join Representative David Hackney and I at Refuel Café (401 Olympia Ave NE, Ste 102, Renton, WA).
This is a chance to stop by, enjoy some conversation, and share what matters most to you. To reserve a 15-minute time to chat, please email my legislative assistant. We hope you’ll join us to say hello and talk about your priorities for our community!
Back To School
As an educator, the “back-to-school” season is one of my favorite times of the year. Seeing my kids head back to class, reconnecting with friends, and sharing summer stories reminds me how important these early years are for our youngest learners.
That’s why I worked hard this past legislative session to secure more resources for our schools. I supported a state budget that invests more in education than ever before, specifically for special education and classroom materials and operations.
Of course, challenges remain. Many families have asked me about the uncertainty in D.C. – from how government shutdowns will affect public services and talk of eliminating the Department of Education, to cuts in health care and food assistance, to the fear weighing on our immigrant neighbors. While I don’t have all the answers, I can promise this: I’m committed to protecting Washington from the instability in the other Washington – today and for the future.
Tukwila & Renton Promise Program
Earlier this summer, the Tukwila Promise “Thunderbird Lab” help session at Foster High School was an incredible success! The College and Career Center was filled with seniors getting hands-on support from Highline College staff – including recruitment, TRIO, and entry advisors -who helped students apply, register for classes, and explore their future college and career goals. The room was buzzing with excitement, and it’s clear our seniors are fully embracing Tukwila Promise.
The numbers tell the story: 84 students have expressed interest, 62 are active in the system. Sixteen students from the graduating class of 2024 went from Foster High School to Highline Community College. This year, we’ve already seen 55 students enrolled in 2025 Fall classes – demonstrating an over three-fold increase in enrollment year over year. Students are pursuing a wide range of fields, including pre-nursing, computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, and business.
This momentum builds on the success of the Renton Promise Program at Renton Technical College, which has grown from 118 students in its first year to 169 in 2024–25. We’ve also seen rising retention rates and more students enrolling in professional-technical programs like healthcare, welding, and automotive. I’m eager to see what enrollment data we see from this fall!
For those who graduated from Renton or Tukwila School District in 2025 or are graduating in 2026, please consider applying to the Renton or Tukwila Promise Program.
I was proud to sponsor House Bill 1587, which strengthens local government scholarship programs by connecting them to the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship. This new law builds on successful local efforts like Renton Promise, supports the launch of Tukwila Partner Promise, reduces administrative burdens, expands application windows, and gives cities and counties a cost-effective way to invest in students’ futures. Together, we’re helping more Washington students access higher education without being weighed down by cost or complexity.
Education Spotlight: Unlock Your Future with FAFSA & WASFA
Paying for college, apprenticeships, or post-high school training shouldn’t hold you back and in Washington, it doesn’t have to. Last month, Governor Bob Ferguson launched the Washington Completes FAFSA campaign, urging students and families to take the critical step of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).
Filling out one of these forms is the key to unlocking financial aid opportunities. Nearly half of Washington households qualify for support through the Washington College Grant (WA Grant one of the most generous state financial aid programs in the country. The WA Grant covers tuition not only at public and private colleges and universities, but also for registered apprenticeships and job training programs.
Here’s what that means for families:
- If your family income is at or below 60% of the state median family income, your full tuition and fees will be covered at any Washington public university.
- Even families with higher incomes may qualify for some support.
- Students who aren’t eligible for federal aid can still apply for the WASFA to access state funding.
Yet, Washington ranks near the bottom nationally in FAFSA completion. That means too many students are leaving money on the table. As Governor Ferguson said: “You will never know how much financial aid you qualify for unless you fill out the form.”
Research from the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) shows that when students from the lowest-income families receive aid, they typically earn more than their parents within three years of graduating – proof of the power of financial aid to change lives.
The FAFSA for the 2026–2027 school year opened October 1st. Don’t wait—your future opportunities depend on it.
Sincerely,
Rep. Steve Bergquist