Today, coincident with the governor’s signing higher education bills, Boeing and Microsoft pledge $25 million each to fund scholarships for students in high-demand fields.

This is very good news, as the governor points out.

…our colleges and universities must have the resources to educate and train the next generation of engineers, scientists and workers. Tuition flexibility will allow them to set their own tuition through 2019, so it is competitive with similar colleges and universities in other Global Challenge states…

She points out that with tuition going up, additional financial aid will be required to maintain access for low- and middle-income students. And she adds,

“Thanks to Boeing and Microsoft for their generous contributions to the Opportunity Scholarship Program and for their partnership and support.”

The statement from Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith, who chaired the governor’s higher education funding task force, is here.

News stories here and here.

In our recent Thrive Washington paper, we had this to say about higher education funding.

Governor Chris Gregoire’s Higher Education Funding Task Force released its recommendations in early 2011.  The Task Force proposed that the state give public four-year universities more tuition flexibility; establish an endowment for Washington Pledge Scholarships that would be managed by a non-profit and funded with both state and voluntary private contributions; strengthen university accountability; and increase the number of graduates, especially with STEM-related degrees.  Enacting these recommendations would provide more stable and predictable long-term funding and improve retention and graduation rates.  This is important throughout the higher education system, particularly in high demand programs and STEM related fields.

A big step forward was taken today.