Providing for Affordability of College Education Scholarship Program.
Impact
The bill includes specific eligibility criteria for scholarship recipients, such as a household income ceiling of 400% of the Federal poverty level, full-time enrollment, and completion of the FAFSA. By prioritizing students with lower income levels for awards, the program seeks to address financial inequities and support those who may struggle with educational expenses. Furthermore, it stipulates that awarded scholarship funds should not be classified as taxable income, allowing recipients to benefit from the full extent of their financial support.
Summary
House Bill 676, referred to as the Affordability of College Education Scholarship Program, aims to enhance access to higher education funding in Pennsylvania. This legislation proposes the establishment of a scholarship program designed to assist eligible students in covering the costs associated with attending college, including tuition, fees, and other related expenses. The program intends to alleviate financial barriers for students, particularly those from lower-income households, thus promoting higher education enrollment and retention.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HB 676 is generally positive among advocates for education equity, as it is viewed as a proactive step to make higher education more affordable. Supporters argue that increased funding for scholarships plays a crucial role in providing opportunities for all students, regardless of their financial background. However, there may also be concerns regarding the allocation of funds for administrative costs versus direct student support, highlighting a potential area of contention among lawmakers and stakeholders.
Contention
One notable aspect of the bill pertains to the oversight and administration of the program, with established responsibilities for the Department of Education and the State system. This introduces considerations regarding the effectiveness of fund distribution and adherence to accountability standards. Critics may question whether the management framework will sufficiently address the needs of students and adequately promote the program's objectives without unnecessary bureaucratic delays.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Establishing the PA Teacher Pipeline Scholarship Program; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and certain institutions of higher education.
Relating to revising, updating and streamlining the requirements governing the West Virginia Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarship.
Establishing the Kansas blueprint for literacy and a literacy advisory committee, directing the board of regents to appoint a director of literacy education, requiring the board of regents and board of education to collaborate on a literacy micro-credential, providing university presidents and deans of education oversight over postsecondary literacy courses, requiring a plan to establish centers of excellence in reading, requiring the board of education to submit annual reports to the legislature on literacy goals; establishing the Kansas education opportunity scholarship to replace the Kansas ethnic minority scholarship, removing limits on Kansas nursing service scholarship awards and modifying the interest rate terms and repayment obligations for such awards, eliminating the requirement to subtract other aid from the state payment for the AO-K program, modifying financial limitations on Kansas hero's scholarship awards and broadening eligibility requirements for such awards.