Education (Student Financial Aid)

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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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 21, 2025

HB 1489: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Lifeline Scholarship Program and the Lifeline Scholarship Fund; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the State Treasury and Auditor General.

HB 1489 establishes the Lifeline Scholarship Program, enabling eligible Pennsylvania students to receive financial assistance for tuition and fees at participating nonpublic schools. To qualify, students must be Pennsylvania residents, not have a high school diploma, and meet income criteria (household income below 350% of the federal poverty level) or reside within a low-achieving school's attendance boundary. The State Treasury administers the Lifeline Scholarship Fund, allowing parents to apply for funds covering tuition, school-related fees, and special education services at qualifying nonprofit nonpublic schools. This program amends the Public School Code of 1949 to create a new funding mechanism for student enrollment in nonpublic schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded scholarship program for low-income students, allocating treasury resources to support education access and fiscal responsibility for eligible families.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes state-funded scholarships for low-income students to attend nonpublic schools, expanding educational access and financial support for K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Oct 8, 2025

SB 432: 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, providing for educational opportunities for foster and adopted children.

SB 432 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to create new educational pathways for foster and adopted children attending state universities and colleges. The bill requires public higher education institutions to develop and implement specific support programs, including academic advising and financial aid coordination, for eligible students who were in foster care or adopted. It directly affects current and future foster youth and adopted children pursuing higher education within Pennsylvania's public university system. Key provisions establish standardized support mechanisms to improve access and retention for this population in state-funded institutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates support programs (academic advising, financial aid) for foster/adopted youth in higher education, directly expanding access and resources for this vulnerable group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 12, 2025

SB 10: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program and the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Fund.

SB 10 establishes the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program (PASS), providing financial assistance to low-income students attending nonpublic schools. It directly affects eligible students in Pennsylvania who live in households below 250% of the federal poverty level, attend or reside within the attendance boundary of a low-achieving public school, and have not earned a high school diploma. The program, administered by the State Treasury starting in the 2026-2027 school year, covers tuition, school-related fees, and special education services at participating nonpublic schools. School districts must notify parents of eligible students about the program within 15 days of a school being designated "low-achieving."

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state-funded scholarship program (PASS) for low-income students, increasing education budget allocation through State Treasury administration.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates PASS scholarship program funding low-income students in nonpublic schools, expanding educational access and providing direct financial support for underserved populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 780: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Early Childhood Educator Tuition Assistance Program and the Early Childhood Educator Tuition Assistance Fund.

HB 780 creates a tuition assistance program for early childhood educators in Pennsylvania. It provides grants to cover tuition costs (minus other financial aid) for individuals pursuing associate degrees or certifications in early childhood education, targeting those earning under 400% of the federal poverty level, enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester, and working 25+ hours weekly in approved early childhood programs. Recipients must agree to work in Pennsylvania early childhood education for two years after completing their program. Funding comes from a new state fund, with annual reports tracking enrollment, retention, wages, and job demand. The program aims to support workforce development in early childhood education through financial assistance tied to service commitments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tuition grants for early childhood educators to pursue degrees/certifications, targeting low-income workers in approved programs, directly supporting educator development and workforce access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tuition grants to early childhood educators, enhancing workforce development and career advancement opportunities within labor sector.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Student Financial Aid Teachers Workforce Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 24, 2025

HB 1763: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions and providing for compliance with Federal tax credit for contributions to scholarship organizations.

HB 1763 aligns Pennsylvania's tax credit program with a federal tax credit for contributions to scholarship organizations. It requires scholarship organizations in Pennsylvania to verify their tax-exempt status, maintain separate accounts for scholarship funds, provide scholarships to at least 10 students from different schools, spend 90% of income on scholarships, and verify applicants' household income to ensure eligibility. Organizations must submit compliance documentation by June 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, with the state department confirming their eligibility for the federal tax credit. This directly affects scholarship organizations seeking to participate in the federal tax credit program, ensuring they meet federal requirements to allow donors to claim tax benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tax credit program for scholarship contributions, aligning with federal tax credit to provide tax relief for contributors.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables tax-credit scholarships for student access to educational programs, expanding options through private school funding mechanisms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SB 304: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for military education scholarship account; and imposing penalties.

SB 304 creates a new "Military Education Scholarship Account" program under Pennsylvania's Public School Code, designed to provide financial support for education expenses for children of active-duty military members (including National Guard and reserve members on active duty) or children of service members killed in action. Parents of eligible school-age children can apply for a state-controlled account holding funds that may be used for approved education costs at private schools, colleges, or approved tutoring programs. The program prohibits use of these funds alongside other state scholarship programs like the Educational Improvement Tax Credit. If a child moves out of state or the agreement ends, remaining funds revert to the child's local school district.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state-funded scholarship program, increasing government spending on military education support through dedicated budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates scholarship program funding education expenses for military children's K-12 and higher education, expanding access via state-controlled funds.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice Student Financial Aid

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