West Central PA News

HARRISBURG – The Senate has passed the Grow PA package of bills with bipartisan support, aiming to make post-secondary education and career preparation programs more affordable for tens of thousands of students in Pennsylvania. Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) emphasized that the legislation would create and expand programs connecting students to high-demand careers within the state.

“This legislation represents a comprehensive, forward-thinking approach to postsecondary education to empower tens of thousands of students and strengthen the future workforce of Pennsylvania,” Pittman stated. “While commonsense compromise certainly remains on the table, with the bipartisan Senate approval of Grow PA we have indeed taken a tremendous step towards a brighter future for Pennsylvania’s students.”

The Grow PA plan includes several key initiatives:

- Establishing scholarships for in-state students who attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue degrees in high-demand industries, and agree to live and work in those industries after graduation.

- Creating merit scholarships for high-performing out-of-state students pursuing in-demand occupations, allowing them to pay lower, in-state tuition at Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools.

- Expanding Ready to Succeed Scholarships to assist up to 24,000 additional students with post-secondary education costs.

- Extending Fostering Independence Tuition Waivers to nonresident students, waiving PASSHE tuition and fees for children in foster care or those who were adopted.

- Introducing performance-based metrics for funding state-related universities such as the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, and Temple University to enhance taxpayer accountability.

- Forming a Higher Education Task Force aimed at improving higher education and career preparation programs.

- Requiring high school seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), ensuring families access vital information on higher education aid and career opportunities.

Additionally, the Grow PA plan proposes historic investments in career and technical education as well as dual enrollment programs. The legislative package has now been sent to the House of Representatives.

Media Contact: Kate Flessner kflessner@pasen.gov