HARRISBURG – Tens of thousands of students would have more opportunities to pursue affordable post-secondary education and career preparation programs under a package of bills approved with bipartisan support by the Senate this week, according to Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37), who sponsored one of the bills.
The Grow PA plan would create and expand programs to connect students to high-demand careers in Pennsylvania. The bills would not only make education and career training more affordable, but also provide strong incentives for students to stay and work in the state for a period after completing their degrees and certifications.
Robinson’s legislation included in the package – Senate Bill 1152 – would expand the popular Ready to Succeed Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to good students to cover the cost of post-secondary education. The bill would increase household income limits from $126,000 to $175,000 and allow students with at least a 2.5 GPA to qualify, making more students eligible for assistance.
“Expanding the Ready to Succeed Scholarship Program is a vital step toward making post-secondary education more accessible for Pennsylvania’s young people,” said Robinson. “By adjusting the requirements, we are opening doors for more students to achieve their academic and career goals. This legislation is a cornerstone of our Grow PA initiative, which is dedicated to fostering a more competitive and educated workforce in our state.”
The other programs include:
- Grow PA Scholarships would be established for in-state students who attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree in a high-demand industry, and agree to live and work in that industry in Pennsylvania after graduation.
- Grow PA Merit Scholarships would be created to allow high-performing, out-of-state students pursuing in-demand occupations to pay lower, in-state tuition at Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools.
- Fostering Independence Tuition Waivers would be expanded to nonresident students, waiving PASSHE tuition and fees for children in the foster care system and children who were adopted.
- Performance-based metrics would be added to funding for state-related universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University and Temple University to provide added accountability to taxpayers.
- A Higher Education Task Force would be created to improve higher education and career preparation programs.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion would be required for high school seniors, ensuring families have access to vital information on higher education aid, career and technical education, certificate programs and more.
Additionally, the Grow PA plan would include historic investments in career and technical education and dual enrollment.
CONTACT:
Allison Dutrey