Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB870

Introduced
6/18/25  

Caption

In Educational Assistance Program, further providing for definitions, for eligibility and for recoupment of grant payments; and, in Military Family Education Program, further providing for definitions, for eligibility, for limitations and for recoupment of Military Family Education Program grant payments.

Impact

The amendments introduced by SB870 primarily affect the eligibility for educational assistance grants available under Pennsylvania’s educational assistance laws. This includes setting standards for National Guard members who can receive grants based on their service and participation in the Guard. In particular, the bill clarifies the criteria for recouping grant payments, emphasizing conditions that could lead to forgiveness of debt, such as medical discharges or death, thereby protecting the financial interests of service members' families.

Summary

Senate Bill 870 is an act aimed at amending Title 51 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes regarding Educational Assistance Programs. It stipulates adjustments to definitions, eligibility criteria for both National Guard members and their families, and addresses the recoupment of grant payments. This bill seeks to enhance the provisions relating to educational support for service members and their families, ensuring that they have access to necessary educational resources that align with their service commitments.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment surrounding SB870 appears to be supportive, as it addresses critical issues faced by military families regarding education and financial obligations incurred due to service. Legislators seem to recognize the importance of providing additional support and flexibility for those in service and their families, particularly in cases where unforeseen circumstances arise. This support reflects a collective acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by these individuals and seeks to ensure their educational needs are met.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise in discussions regarding the stipulations laid out for the eligibility requirements, particularly concerning the recoupment process of grant payments. Discussions might center around the criteria that determine when recoupment is appropriate versus when it should be forgiven, especially in the context of variables such as discharge due to medical reasons. These factors could lead to debates on fairness and the adequacy of protections for service members' financial responsibilities.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB162

In military educational programs relating to medical officer or health officer incentive program, further providing for definitions, for establishment of program, for program stipend, for additional incentives, for recoupment of incentive payments, for adjustment of stipend amounts and for eligibility; and making editorial changes.

PA HB599

In educational gratuity program, further providing for eligibility and qualification requirements.

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 SB1339

Further providing for definitions and for Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program; and repealing provisions relating to retroactivity.

PA HB705

In preliminary provisions, providing for construction; and, in public assistance, further providing for definitions, for eligibility and for the medically needy and determination of eligibility.

PA SB843

In preliminary provisions, further providing for Special Education Funding Commission, for Basic Education Funding Commission and for Commission on Education and Economic Competitiveness and providing for public job posting database, for instructional vacancy data and for data transparency; providing for Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact; in drug and alcohol recovery high school program, further providing for scope of program and selection of students, providing for enrollment of students and further providing for academic programs; in terms and courses of study, further providing for Economic Education and Personal Financial Literacy Programs; in early learning programs, providing for quarterly reporting; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts; in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions; in credit card marketing, further providing for regulation of on-campus credit card marketing; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status; and abrogating regulations.

PA SB367

Extending benefits to certain surviving spouses; and further providing for title of act, for short title, for definitions, for Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program, for report to General Assembly and for retroactivity.

PA HB1490

Further providing for definitions, for regulation of the practice of acupuncture, for penalties and for approval of acupuncture educational programs.

PA HB982

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in program, further providing for program established.

PA SB1335

In public assistance, further providing for definitions, for administration of assistance programs and for regulations for protection of information; in the aged, further providing for Life Program; and making a repeal.

Similar Bills

PA HB865

In Educational Assistance Program, further providing for definitions, for eligibility and for recoupment of grant payments; and, in Military Family Education Program, further providing for definitions, for eligibility, for limitations and for recoupment of Military Family Education Program grant payments.

PA HB1102

In military educational programs relating to medical officer or health officer incentive program, further providing for definitions, for establishment of program, for program stipend, for additional incentives, for recoupment of incentive payments, for adjustment of stipend amounts and for eligibility; and making editorial changes.

PA SB308

In military educational programs relating to medical officer or health officer incentive program, further providing for definitions, for establishment of program, for program stipend, for additional incentives, for recoupment of incentive payments, for adjustment of stipend amounts and for eligibility; and making editorial changes.

PA SB162

In military educational programs relating to medical officer or health officer incentive program, further providing for definitions, for establishment of program, for program stipend, for additional incentives, for recoupment of incentive payments, for adjustment of stipend amounts and for eligibility; and making editorial changes.

PA HB1952

In professional and occupational licenses, further providing for definitions and providing for a policy for the award of academic credit for military training; and making editorial changes.

PA HB575

In professional and occupational licenses, further providing for definitions and providing for policy for the award of academic credit for military training; and making editorial changes.

PA SB64

In military leave of absence, further providing for military family relief assistance; in veteran-owned small businesses, providing for veteran-owned business logotype; and imposing a penalty.

PA SB438

In veteran-owned small businesses, providing for veteran-owned business logotype and imposing a penalty.