On Monday, April 7th, students from across Washington gathered on the North Steps of the Legislative Building in Olympia for the Student Rally—Day of Action. Organized in partnership by the Washington Student Association (WSA), the Washington Student Engagement Network (WA-SEN), and the Washington Bus (WA Bus), with support from Public School Employees (PSE), SEIU 1948, and Communities for Our Colleges (C4C), the rally called on lawmakers to protect financial aid and prevent tuition hikes.
With 68 passionate student advocates in attendance, the energy was electric. Together, they raised their voices in chants and calls to action, advocating for legislators to invest in the future of Washington’s students—not cut it short. The message was clear: higher education must remain accessible and affordable for all Washingtonians.
The rally came about in response to proposed cuts to public higher education funding and financial aid programs, including threats to the Washington College Grant. These cuts would disproportionately impact students who rely on aid to pursue college degrees and build brighter futures.
Lawmakers showed up, too. Senator Slatter, Representative Reed, and Representative Nance joined the crowd, energizing students with pep talks. Student advocacy leaders like Edgar Espino, Campus Organizer for WA Bus, and Nancy Canales, Director of WSA, delivered powerful speeches, highlighting the urgency of the moment and the strength of student voices.
This rally was more than just an event—it was a movement—a movement that must continue. Students showed that they are paying attention, getting organized, and taking action to defend their futures.
Thank you to every student who showed up, stood up, and spoke out. Thank you to all of the organizations and leaders who supported this event. The fight for higher education equity isn’t over, but together, we are building momentum that can’t be ignored.