Education (Student Financial Aid)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 11, 2025

SB 733: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in higher education accountability and transparency, further providing for exit counseling.

SB 733 requires Pennsylvania colleges and universities to provide mandatory financial aid exit counseling to students during their final academic term, unless they opt out. It specifically mandates that institutions attempt to contact students who transfer or withdraw without notice, mailing counseling materials to their last known address if direct contact fails. The bill directly affects undergraduate students leaving Pennsylvania higher education institutions, focusing on transparency around student loan repayment obligations. This amendment to the Public School Code updates accountability measures for student financial guidance upon enrollment departure.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial aid exit counseling for transparency, strengthening student accountability and preventing debt issues upon leaving higher education institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 13, 2025

HB 1799: An Act amending the act of April 3, 1992 (P.L.28, No.11), known as the Tuition Account Programs and College Savings Bond Act, in tuition account programs, further providing for declaration of policy, for definitions, for Tuition Account Programs Bureau, for powers of department, for Tuition Account Guaranteed Savings Program, for Tuition Account Investment Program, for general provisions governing both tuition account programs and for Federal taxation; establishing the Keystone Scholars Grant Program and the Keystone Scholars Grant Program Account; and making a repeal.

HB 1799 amends Pennsylvania's 1992 Tuition Account Programs law to create the Keystone Scholars Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to students attending eligible postsecondary institutions. It establishes a dedicated Keystone Scholars Grant Program Account to fund this new scholarship initiative, directly affecting students and families participating in tuition savings programs. The bill updates existing program definitions, governance structures, and federal tax provisions while adding this new grant option to support educational access. This change expands the state's existing tuition savings framework without altering current program requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates Keystone Scholars Grant Program with dedicated funding account, allocating state budget resources for student scholarships, thus advancing educational funding within fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Keystone Scholars Grant Program providing financial aid for postsecondary students, expanding educational access through dedicated funding for higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 16, 2025

HB 194: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Mental Health Professional Student Loan Forgiveness Program; imposing powers and duties on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency; and making an appropriation.

HB 194 creates Pennsylvania's Mental Health Professional Student Loan Forgiveness Program, targeting mental health workers serving children and adolescents. It allows eligible residents who complete qualifying degrees (like social work, counseling, or psychology) and work in early childhood-to-adolescence mental health roles to receive up to $22,500 in loan forgiveness after signing a 7-year employment contract. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) administers the program, requiring applicants to prove residency, partial degree completion, faculty recommendations, and secure employment in the specified field. Participants must maintain employment for seven years or repay the forgiven amount if they leave the field early, fail to comply, or provide false information. This directly affects mental health professionals in Pennsylvania seeking relief from student debt while addressing workforce needs in youth mental health.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes appropriation for mental health loan forgiveness program, funding public service through state budget allocation90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates loan forgiveness for mental health professionals serving K-12 students, enhancing school-based mental health support and educational access for youth.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareHB 194 creates a loan forgiveness program for mental health professionals serving youth, directly funding and incentivizing workforce expansion in mental health services per healthcare topic description.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill creates a loan forgiveness program for mental health workers (social work, counseling, psychology), providing financial support to encourage retention in high-need roles. This expands worker benefits and supports employment in critical se...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Student Health Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 3, 2025

HB 2072: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Tuition Waiver for Native American Students Program.

HB 2072 establishes a tuition waiver program for Native American students attending Pennsylvania colleges. It requires public and private colleges to waive tuition for students who are active members of tribes listed by the state (including tribes historically connected to Pennsylvania or the Carlisle Indian School). To qualify, students must apply to a college, enroll full- or part-time, and prove tribe membership through the state's published list. Colleges must report participation and retention data annually to the Department of Education. This program directly affects Native American students seeking higher education in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes tuition waiver program for Native American students at colleges, expanding access to higher education by removing financial barriers for qualifying tribal members.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 86: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for in-State tuition for undocumented individuals.

SB 86 would allow undocumented students who attended a Pennsylvania high school (public, nonpublic, charter, or cyber charter) for at least two years and graduated to pay in-state tuition at Pennsylvania's public colleges and universities, instead of higher out-of-state rates. It requires institutions to report these admissions to the state and ensures eligible students qualify for state financial aid through PHEAA without needing to provide Social Security numbers. The bill creates an alternative application process for financial aid that excludes Social Security number requirements for these students.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state financial aid eligibility for undocumented students, increasing public higher education funding through PHEAA without SSN requirement.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for undocumented students by eliminating out-of-state tuition barriers and enabling state financial aid eligibility without Social Security numbers.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill provides in-state tuition and financial aid access to undocumented students meeting residency criteria, directly advancing immigrant integration and services per indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 10, 2025

HB 840: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for Targeted Industry Cluster Certificate Scholarship Program.

HB 840 establishes the Targeted Industry Cluster Certificate Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance for Pennsylvania residents pursuing specific short-term education programs. The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, offers grants for eligible students enrolled in approved courses that take two to four years to complete, including nursing, public health, and community health bachelor's degrees. The Department of Education and Department of Labor and Industry will collaborate to identify workforce-focused programs and approve eligible educational providers. This bill directly affects students seeking credentials in high-demand fields and requires the agency to set grant awards based on available funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grants for nursing/public health degrees, expanding access to higher education funding through targeted scholarships95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing/public health bachelor's degrees via scholarships to expand healthcare workforce training, directly advancing healthcare education and workforce development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Public Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 12, 2025

HB 813: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in personal income tax, further providing for classes of income.

HB 813 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to exempt certain student loan discharges and employer educational assistance from personal income tax. Specifically, it excludes from taxation: (1) the discharge of eligible student loans under qualified federal forgiveness programs, and (2) employer-paid educational assistance that meets federal exclusion rules under Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code. These exemptions apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania taxpayers who qualify for these specific student loan forgiveness or employer education benefits under federal programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts student loan forgiveness and employer education benefits from income tax, providing direct tax relief to eligible individuals under the Tax Reform Code.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts student loan discharges and employer education benefits from tax, reducing financial barriers to higher education access and supporting educational affordability.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 21, 2025

HB 1473: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in higher education accountability and transparency, providing for department approval for campus closures.

HB 1473 requires Pennsylvania's state-related universities (Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Lincoln University, and their branches) to submit an alternative education plan to the state Department of Education before closing any campus. The plan must detail how students in the affected region will maintain access to higher education, including options like partnerships with community colleges, satellite classrooms, or tuition assistance. The Department must approve or disapprove the plan within 30 days, and failure to submit a compliant plan or receiving disapproval results in the university losing state funding for that fiscal year. The bill aims to ensure taxpayer-funded institutions maintain educational access, particularly in rural and underprivileged areas, before proceeding with campus closures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires universities to maintain student access during campus closures via approved alternative plans, protecting higher education continuity and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 15, 2025

HB 1676: An Act establishing the Nursing Shortage Assistance Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry.

HB 1676 establishes Pennsylvania's Nursing Shortage Assistance Program, which provides state grants to "qualified nursing servicers" to help nursing students repay loans after graduation. The program requires partner hospitals to match state funds 1:1 for loan repayment and commit to hiring graduates, with grants only covering tuition expenses (not administrative costs). Nursing students working at participating hospitals may receive up to $10,000 annually or $30,000 total in loan repayment assistance. The Department of Labor and Industry administers the program, sets application rules, and reports annually on its effectiveness to the legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides loan repayment assistance to nursing students (higher education), directly supporting student financial burdens and workforce access in a specific educational program.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes nursing loan repayment grants to address workforce shortages, improving healthcare access and provider availability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds nursing student loan repayment to address workforce shortages, requiring hospital hiring commitments, directly supporting labor supply and employment in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 310: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in high schools, providing for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Senate Bill 310 mandates that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, high school students in Pennsylvania's public, nonpublic, and private schools must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before graduating. Students or their parents/legal guardians can choose to opt out of filing the FAFSA by submitting a state-developed form to their school. Schools are responsible for providing this opt-out form and may exempt students if they cannot be reached and no FAFSA or opt-out form is submitted. The bill clarifies that schools do not require personal financial information from students or families, and any inadvertently obtained information is not a public record.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates FAFSA filing to expand college access, directly advancing educational access for students transitioning to higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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