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Thousands of Washington students are in danger of losing their work study jobs, thanks to an effort to make a dent in the state’s $2.6 billion budget shortfall. The Washington Students Association is working to lobby against the measure in Olympia.

In the 2010 budget proposal submitted in December, Governor Christine Gregoire asked for a suspension of the Washington State Work Study and Washington Scholars programs, which together cost the state $23.5 million. Both federally funded programs would be cut for a yearlong period starting after June, though Gregoire acknowledged that the cuts "may not be restored for many years, if ever."

The proposal, set to be voted on by March 11 at the latest, could have considerable effects on the 9,400 students who participate in work study programs across the state. 

At Whitman College, many of the nearly 500 students who could be affected fear that they may have to drop out.

“I’m a recipient of a Washington Scholars grant, and without it, I can confidently say I would not have been able to afford coming to Whitman,” said Tessa Carlson, a junior at the college. “If that money disappears next year, it is going to make paying Whitman’s tuition a huge burden to deal with during my senior year.”

Because of the large number of students like Carlson who depend on aid from the state, some are concerned the cuts will result in higher dropout rates. Others worry about increased loan debt, fewer off-campus employment opportunities, and an educational system that only embraces the rich—a concern that has been voiced in California and other states too.

The loss of work study funds would have a particularly harsh impact on graduate and professional students, as work study is the only type of financial aid available to them in Washington.

“I think it’s going to be devastating if it goes through,” said Kathleen Koch, assistant dean for Student Financial Services at the Seattle University School of Law.

“It’s going to be a ripple effect of unknown proportions.”

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