Bill Expands Guard Scholarship Program House, Senate Both Vote To Allow Soldiers From Other States To Get Washington Funds

Wed., March 1, 2000

Danielle Panush Staff Write

Legislators passed a bill Tuesday that would extend National Guard Scholarship Program money to soldiers from other states who wish to attend Washington schools while serving here.

The bill was intended to help members of one Spokane National Guard military intelligence battalion in particular that depends on soldiers from other states to fill its linguistics department. About 25 of the battalion’s 100 soldiers come from Idaho, Montana and Oregon to conduct foreign language interpretation and translation services.

Battalion leaders would like to extend eligibility for portions of the $150,000 scholarship fund to these soldiers.

“This is very important, particularly to border counties,” Sen. Larry Sheahan, R-Spokane, told members of the Senate on Tuesday.

Other National Guard units along the Washington-Idaho border would benefit from this legislation as well. It would allow them to offer this option to soldiers recruited from North Idaho.

Rep. Lynn Schindler, R-Spokane, who brought the issue to legislators, said this provision brings fairness to out-of-state soldiers who carry out the same duties as soldiers who are Washington residents.

The bill made it through the House and Senate with no opposition. It awaits Gov. Gary Locke’s approval before it becomes law.

Under the new law, scholarship applicants would still have to be enlisted soldiers or officers below the rank of captain. Scholarships cannot exceed a year’s tuition plus an allowance for books and supplies and must be used for Washington schools. Recipients must serve an additional year in the National Guard for each year they spend in school.

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