An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and establishing the Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program.

This bill establishes the Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program to provide financial aid to students pursuing degrees in high-demand fields such as STEM, nursing, and allied health. It defines eligible majors and allows recipients to take occasional online courses while maintaining their scholarship status. The program requires scholars to work in approved in-demand occupations after graduation, with provisions for partial reimbursement if they fail to meet these service obligations. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that switching between approved courses of study does not affect eligibility and limits the ability of institutions to use private collection agencies for debt recovery.