This bill creates the PA WORKS Scholarship Grant Program to provide financial aid to Pennsylvania residents pursuing specific trade careers in fields like construction, automotive repair, and welding at colleges and universities. To qualify for a grant of up to $5,000 per year, students must maintain satisfactory grades and sign an agreement to live and work in an in-demand trade job within the state for 36 months after graduation. The legislation also establishes a trade career-incentive tax credit for businesses that hire graduates from these approved trade programs.
This bill modifies Pennsylvania's existing tax credit programs for private school scholarships by increasing the maximum credit percentage for businesses from 75% or 90% to 99% for most contributions. It also establishes a new Pennsylvania Learning Investment Tax Credit and creates a Displaced Student Scholarship Fund to support students who must move due to natural disasters or other emergencies. The legislation raises the annual funding cap for these programs from $590 million to $790 million and adjusts how funds are allocated among different types of scholarship organizations.
This Pennsylvania bill establishes a temporary program allowing businesses to receive tax credits for donations to scholarship and educational improvement organizations. The legislation sets specific annual spending limits for these credits, which are available only for fiscal years before 2027-2028, and creates a new restricted account to track the funds. It also defines various terms related to the program, including assessments and business firms, while assigning oversight duties to several state departments.
HB 2525 amends Pennsylvania's Institutional Assistance Grants Act to update definitions and procedures for grants given to students attending independent colleges. The bill removes old legislative findings and specific appropriation amounts, while establishing a new maximum grant limit of $400 per student. It also requires the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency to audit eligible institutions and publish annual reports on how the grant funds are used.
This bill designates May 17, 2026, as the "25th Anniversary of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program Day" in Pennsylvania. The resolution recognizes the program, which allows businesses to receive tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations that fund tuition for students in public and private schools. By formally acknowledging the program's 25-year history, the bill highlights its role in providing educational options for families across the state without changing any existing laws or policies.
This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to update definitions for the Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program. It clarifies what counts as an "approved course of study" and "in-demand occupation" for scholarship recipients. The updated definitions include specific fields such as agriculture, computer science, nursing, and trades, while also requiring that occupations provide family-sustaining wages and high skill levels. These changes affect students using the scholarship program and the institutions offering eligible courses. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
This bill repeals the Pennsylvania Medical Education Loan Assistance Program, which previously provided financial incentives to students pursuing medical, nursing, biomedical, and life sciences education. The program allowed eligible students to access loans with favorable terms, including low interest rates and fees, to encourage them to practice medicine or nursing in Pennsylvania, particularly in underserved areas. By removing this legislation, the state will no longer administer this specific loan assistance program for medical education.
This bill creates the PA WORKS Scholarship Grant Program and a trade career-incentive tax credit for Pennsylvania residents pursuing specific skilled trade careers in higher education. The scholarship provides up to $5,000 per academic year to students enrolled in approved courses such as carpentry, welding, plumbing, or electrical work, provided they maintain satisfactory academic progress and have not yet earned a bachelor's degree. Recipients must agree to live and work in Pennsylvania for 36 months in an in-demand occupation after completing their degree, with the scholarship amount prorated based on years of service and requiring repayment if they fail to meet these requirements. Additionally, the bill establishes a tax credit for business firms that hire graduates from these trade programs, though specific credit amounts and eligibility details are not fully detailed in the provided text.
SB 299 creates the Pennsylvania Promise Program, providing tuition/fees and room/board scholarships to eligible Pennsylvania residents attending higher education. It directly affects two groups: (1) "eligible students" under age 24 (or active military) who graduated high school within five years, and (2) "eligible adult learners" aged 24+ with a high school diploma. The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, covers tuition/fees up to the State System’s maximum in-state rate and room/board based on agency standards. Funding comes from the newly established Pennsylvania Promise Program Fund, requiring applicants to complete FAFSA and apply for other grants first.
HB 2099 establishes a new Delayed Payment Plan Program to help eligible Pennsylvania residents attend specific colleges by covering tuition costs in exchange for paying a portion of their future income. The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), requires students to agree to remain in Pennsylvania for 10 years after graduation (or until tuition is repaid) and study in high-need fields. It uses a dedicated fund financed by state appropriations, private donations, and income payments from participants, with administrative costs capped at $400,000 in the first year. Initially targeting 15 community colleges and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology for the 2025-2026 academic year, it may expand to other state institutions starting in 2026-2027.
