Official Text and Analysis.

Creates a grant program for community and technical colleges (CTCs) to provide monetary assistance to students experiencing unforeseen emergencies or situations.

Provides that a student may not receive more than a total of $1500 in emergency aid funds under the program for the entire time the student is enrolled in the college.

Provides that grants of emergency aid may not exceed $500.

Allows, to the extent allowed by federal law, students who are "anticipating participation" in the work-study program to qualify for the Washington basic food program; (2) Requires DSHS to maintain and regularly update a list of identified programs that are eligible for an exemption from certain federal eligibility rules related to the program increasing a student's employability; (3) Requires DSHS, WSAC, and SBCTC to identify options that could confer categorical eligibility for federal assistance programs for students who receive the state need grant and report those options to the appropriate committees of the legislature by January 1, 2020; (4) Requires institutions of higher education to provide written notice to state need grant and work-study program recipients of possible eligibility for SNAP and how to apply for SNAP; and (5) Makes technical changes for clarity.

Narrows the eligibility for the grant.

Requires that an application for aid be made in writing.

Includes financial ability of students to meet the cost of attendance in demographics to be reported to demonstrate need for grant funding.