Tuition Aid Bill Introduced
HARRISBURG – In an effort to rein in skyrocketing college tuition costs, Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, introduced today a legislative package that promises to deliver affordability, accountability, and choice to Pennsylvania students and their families.
Senate Bill 653 would appropriate an additional $145 million to the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Grant Program, thus benefiting approximately 25,000 additional students. Students would receive tuition aid so long as they attend any college or university – private, public, or state-related – in Pennsylvania. As a condition of receiving state funds, higher education institutions would be required to raise tuition only by the rate of inflation set by the Consumer Price Index.
"This bill will provide long-overdue support to our Commonwealth's families without expanding gambling in every corner of the state but instead by establishing necessary cost controls and by simply spending public funds more efficiently. Pennsylvania taxpayers are hurting because they not only are struggling to send their children to college, but they are also unable to afford the taxes that support these schools," Piccola said.
Piccola emphasized that his plan would also direct a 5 percent increase for Pennsylvania's community colleges. "Our community colleges are the best access point of higher education for many lower income students particularly in these recessionary times, and that's why they too deserve our support and help," he said.
Other components of Senate Bill 653 include accountability measures that would ensure students are also held responsible. The bill would require all state grant recipients to maintain at least a C average to remain eligible for tuition aid and to graduate in four years.
Funding for Piccola's initiatives would be obtained by redirecting state spending and priorities. Specifically, Senate Bill 652 would repeal Governor Rendell's $75 million Hollywood film tax credit and a sales tax exemption for movie theaters. Other parts of his plan would cut 50 percent of non-preferred state appropriations, such as museums.
Piccola's legislation also makes changes to Pennsylvania's Dual Enrollment Program, which allows high school students to enroll in college-level courses and receive both secondary and postsecondary credit for that coursework. Under Senate Bill 653, the $10 million appropriation to the Commonwealth's universities and colleges to administer this program would be eliminated. However, the state Board of Education would be required to develop regulations directing institutions to accommodate high school students on a space available basis for a nominal fee.
"My legislative package contains practical solutions to a major problem. College tuition costs have outpaced inflation for more than a decade. Aside from addressing affordability and accountability issues, these bills will help assure competition and choice is preserved in higher education," Piccola said.
Senate Bill 653 would appropriate an additional $145 million to the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Grant Program, thus benefiting approximately 25,000 additional students. Students would receive tuition aid so long as they attend any college or university – private, public, or state-related – in Pennsylvania. As a condition of receiving state funds, higher education institutions would be required to raise tuition only by the rate of inflation set by the Consumer Price Index.
"This bill will provide long-overdue support to our Commonwealth's families without expanding gambling in every corner of the state but instead by establishing necessary cost controls and by simply spending public funds more efficiently. Pennsylvania taxpayers are hurting because they not only are struggling to send their children to college, but they are also unable to afford the taxes that support these schools," Piccola said.
Piccola emphasized that his plan would also direct a 5 percent increase for Pennsylvania's community colleges. "Our community colleges are the best access point of higher education for many lower income students particularly in these recessionary times, and that's why they too deserve our support and help," he said.
Other components of Senate Bill 653 include accountability measures that would ensure students are also held responsible. The bill would require all state grant recipients to maintain at least a C average to remain eligible for tuition aid and to graduate in four years.
Funding for Piccola's initiatives would be obtained by redirecting state spending and priorities. Specifically, Senate Bill 652 would repeal Governor Rendell's $75 million Hollywood film tax credit and a sales tax exemption for movie theaters. Other parts of his plan would cut 50 percent of non-preferred state appropriations, such as museums.
Piccola's legislation also makes changes to Pennsylvania's Dual Enrollment Program, which allows high school students to enroll in college-level courses and receive both secondary and postsecondary credit for that coursework. Under Senate Bill 653, the $10 million appropriation to the Commonwealth's universities and colleges to administer this program would be eliminated. However, the state Board of Education would be required to develop regulations directing institutions to accommodate high school students on a space available basis for a nominal fee.
"My legislative package contains practical solutions to a major problem. College tuition costs have outpaced inflation for more than a decade. Aside from addressing affordability and accountability issues, these bills will help assure competition and choice is preserved in higher education," Piccola said.
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