PENNSYLVANIA — On Tuesday, the state’s House of Representatives advanced House Bill 1886. The proposed legislation aims to establish the Pennsylvania Promise Pilot Program, offering last-dollar financial aid to full-time students attending state-owned or state-related institutions.
The bill outlines the powers and responsibilities of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. It provides for scholarships covering tuition and fees, room and board, and also includes aid for adult reeducation. A Pennsylvania Promise Pilot Program Fund will be established to support these initiatives.
Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair, lauded the progress of the bill, which he has championed alongside Representative Harris and other advocates for six years. “We knew student loan debt was a big problem when we introduced PA Promise in 2017,” said Senator Hughes. “Now, it’s an even bigger burden for college graduates and a huge concern for young people who are thinking about going to college.”
The senator further noted that the PA Promise offers a solution for low-income students aspiring to attend college but lacking adequate financial means. He emphasized that the state’s budget surplus should be used to help Pennsylvanians seeking to improve their lives, career prospects, and futures. “Higher education should be accessible to anyone who wants to attend. PA Promise would start to make that a reality in Pennsylvania,” Hughes added.
With a party line vote of 14-11, House Bill 1886 progressed out of the Education Committee and now awaits a full vote on the House floor. Senator Hughes is also the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 315, the Senate’s version of House Bill 1886, which was referred to the Education Committee on November 28, 2023.
The success of these bills could mark a transformative moment for higher education in Pennsylvania, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder the dreams of students aspiring to attend college.
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