Free/Reduced-Price Meal Pilot Program Information for College Staff

The Washington State Legislature passed into law Second Substitute House Bill 1559 (2023). Sponsored by Representative Debra Entenman, this legislation included a new three-year pilot to provide free and low-cost meal plans or food vouchers to eligible low-income students. Pilot colleges were to implement a free and/or low-cost food program for students with low incomes.

Four community and technical colleges, one on each side of the Cascade mountains, were selected to participate by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). The bill also included two public four-year institutions, one on each side of the Cascade mountains, to be selected to participate by the Council of Presidents.  

The Free/Reduced-Price Meal Pilot concluded on June 30, 2026. The SBCTC, WSAC, and the six pilot colleges are building a report that highlights data and impact from the pilot, with a tentative development date of winter 2026. We greatly appreciate the colleges who participated in the pilot over from FY24-26; a lot of great work was developed and scaled. Thanks to that work, Everett Community College is able to continue their EvCC EATS program for the 2026-27 academic year. 

Who may apply

This funding entailed a competitive program application and funding process. All community and technical colleges were encouraged to apply for funding. The SBCTC convened a committee to evaluate applications to determine, based on student need and program approach, who was selected to receive funding. 

Funding

Funding was appropriated to the SBCTC at $960,000 annually for FY24-FY26. 

For the FY24 program year, colleges could request up to $240,000. Selected colleges had their budgets automatically renewed for FY25 without additional application. Legislation authorized the pilot through FY26. Amounts available for the third year will be based on appropriations.

Allowable expenses included, but were not limited to: 

• Free or reduced-price food vouchers, pre-paid meal cards, access to free or reduced-price food or similar
• Staffing for program design and implementation

The intent of this funding was to implement a free and/or low-cost food program for students with low incomes. Staffing salaries and benefits to design and implement these services for students in these populations were an allowable expenditure but capped at 20%. 

Indirect costs were not an allowable expenditure. 

Strategic Planning

FY24 was focused on the planning and development of the selected colleges program approach. The SBCTC worked with the cohort of colleges and universities to support their implementation of the meal pilot program. 

FY25 was focused on full implementation and access to free and/or reduced-price meals for students. The SBCTC worked with a cohort of colleges and universities to share and learn from each other in a community of practice and understand the inner workings of the pilot programs, and challenges that students may face with accessing food. 

FY26 was focused on the final year of funding and reporting. The SBCTC worked with a cohort of colleges and universities on identifying data elements, developing, and supporting recommendations for the Washington State Legislature. 

Milestones and Deadlines

Program Resources and Guidelines

• January 2026 Postsecondary Food Security Pilot Webinar Recording
• January 2026 Postsecondary Food Security Pilot Webinar PowerPoint
• January 2026 Postsecondary Food Security Pilot Webinar Q&A
• FY23-26 Free/Reduced-Price Meal Pilot Program Guidelines
• FY26 Meal Pilot Budget Form
• FY26 Meal Pilot Assurances
• July 2023 Q&A