PA
Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB10

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB10

Introduced
4/28/25  

Caption

Establishing the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program and the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Fund.

Impact

If enacted, SB10 will create the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Fund, held within the State Treasury, which will be used to provide financial assistance to eligible students. The program will kick off in the 2026-2027 school year and will prioritize scholarships for students based on financial need—specifically targeting households with incomes below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. This initiative reflects a strategic move toward enhancing educational access and improving academic outcomes for underprivileged youth in Pennsylvania.

Summary

Senate Bill 10, known as the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program, aims to establish a program to provide scholarships to eligible students for attending participating nonpublic schools. The program is designed to aid those residing within the attendance boundaries of low-achieving schools, enabling them to receive a better education. Under this bill, students can receive funding for tuition, school-related fees, and special education services fees to help alleviate the financial burden on families opting for nonpublic schooling options.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB10 appears divided. Supporters argue that the bill will offer vital educational opportunities to children in under-resourced areas, potentially leveling the playing field for students from lower-income backgrounds. Critics may contend that diverting public funds to private schooling could undermine resources for public education, causing further disparities. The ultimate effectiveness and fairness of this scholarship program will likely remain key discussion points as stakeholders evaluate potential benefits and drawbacks.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the bill's provisions for scholarship funding, the eligibility criteria for participating nonpublic schools, and the program's reliance on the State Treasury for administration and oversight. Additionally, strict regulations ensure accountability and prevent misuse of the scholarship accounts, which are required to report on student progress and attendance. There is also potential for disagreement regarding the definitions of 'low-achieving schools' and how participation may affect overall public school enrollments and funding.

Latest SB10 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB795

Establishing the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program.

PA SB757

In Treasury Department, establishing the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program and the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Fund; in bonus and tax reports and returns and reports and records relating to tax collections, further providing for confidential information; in tax credits, further providing for Department of Community and Economic Development; in 2022-2023 budget implementation, further providing for Department of Education; and making a repeal.

PA HB1886

Providing for the Pennsylvania Promise Pilot Program; prescribing powers and duties of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency; providing for scholarships for tuition and fees, scholarships for room and board and aid for adult reeducation; and establishing the Pennsylvania Promise Pilot Program Fund.

PA SB315

Providing for the Pennsylvania Promise Pilot Program; prescribing powers and duties of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency; providing for scholarships for tuition and fees, scholarships for room and board and aid for adult reeducation; and establishing the Pennsylvania Promise Pilot Program Fund.

PA HB1432

Establishing the Lifeline Scholarship Program and the Lifeline Scholarship Fund.

PA HB514

Providing for individual empowerment scholarship accounts; and establishing the Pennsylvania Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, the Department of Education Empowerment Scholarship Fund and the State Treasurer Empowerment Scholarship Fund.

PA SB1150

In the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and providing for Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program; providing for institutions of higher education, for Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program and for intercollegiate athletics; in ready-to-succeed scholarship, further providing for agency; and making a repeal.

PA HB688

Establishing the PA Teacher Pipeline Scholarship Program; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and certain institutions of higher education.

PA HB2279

In the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and establishing the Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program.

PA SB1151

In the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and establishing the Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program.

Similar Bills

PA HB479

An act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, in Treasury Department, establishing the

PA SB757

In Treasury Department, establishing the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program and the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Fund; in bonus and tax reports and returns and reports and records relating to tax collections, further providing for confidential information; in tax credits, further providing for Department of Community and Economic Development; in 2022-2023 budget implementation, further providing for Department of Education; and making a repeal.

PA SB795

Establishing the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program.

PA HB1422

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in charter schools, further providing for definitions and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for cyber charter school requirements, for powers and composition of board of trustees and for educational management service providers, further providing for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for annual reports and public reporting and for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for school district and intermediate unit responsibilities, providing for access to other schools' facilities, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, providing for renewals, for charter amendments and for causes for nonrenewal, revocation or termination, further providing for State Charter School Appeal Board review, for cyber charter school application and for enrollment and notification, providing for enrollment parameters and for enrollee wellness checks and further providing for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

PA HB1432

Establishing the Lifeline Scholarship Program and the Lifeline Scholarship Fund.

PA HB1489

Establishing the Lifeline Scholarship Program and the Lifeline Scholarship Fund; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the State Treasury and Auditor General.

PA SB1057

Providing for the Educational Freedom Act Program; and establishing the Educational Freedom Act Fund and educational freedom accounts.

PA SB304

Providing for military education scholarship account; and imposing penalties.