WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 2084

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in higher education accountability and transparency, further providing for comparison tool; providing for Pennsylvania Promise Program; and establishing the Pennsylvania Promise Program Fund.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Briggs and 30 co-sponsors

Creates a state-funded program through PHEAA to cover remaining tuition, fees, and room/board for eligible Pennsylvanians, with a dedicated fund and annual reporting.

Referred to Education
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2084

Overview

HB 2084 (2025-2026) proposes creating the Pennsylvania Promise Program within the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and establishing a dedicated Pennsylvania Promise Program Fund. The bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to add a new article setting out the program’s definitions, eligibility, funding, and administration, including scholarships for tuition, fees, and room and board, as well as aid for adult reeducation. It also requires annual reporting on program outcomes and demographics. The program aims to reduce higher education costs for Pennsylvania residents by providing scholarships that cover remaining costs after other aid.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a state-funded Promise program to help eligible Pennsylvanians finance higher education and related costs.
  • Provide targeted financial support for tuition, fees, and room and board at eligible institutions.
  • Include a pathway for adult learners seeking reeducation to reenter higher education or certificate programs.
  • Create a dedicated fund to manage, allocate, and safeguard program dollars, with built-in renewal and accountability mechanisms.

Key Provisions

Scope and Definitions

  • Creates Article XX-N: Pennsylvania Promise Program.
  • Defines terms such as academic year, eligible student, eligible adult learner, fees, tuition, room and board, fund, and types of eligible institutions (state-owned, state-related, community colleges, and independent institutions of higher education).

Eligible Institutions

  • Institutions included: State-owned institutions, State-related institutions, community colleges (including Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology), and independent institutions of higher education.

Pennsylvania Promise Program Fund (Section 2005-N)

  • Establishes a dedicated Fund in the State Treasury.
  • The Fund can accept gifts, donations, legacies, and other revenues; interest stays in the fund.
  • Money in the fund is nonlapsing and may be carried forward.
  • The agency may allocate funds to eligible students for sections 2006-N and 2007-N.
  • Administrative costs capped at the lesser of 5% or actual costs.

Scholarships for Tuition and Fees (Section 2006-N)

  • Applications accepted “to the extent funds are available.”
  • For tuition/fees at State-owned, State-related, or Independent Institutions:
    • Amount capped at the lesser of: (a) the maximum in-State undergraduate tuition rate set by the State System’s Board of Governors, or (b) the student’s outstanding tuition/fees after applying federal, state, and institutional grants.
    • Eligibility: households up to $250,000 income (subject to adjustments); full-time enrollment.
  • For Community Colleges or Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology:
    • Amount capped at outstanding tuition/fees after applying aid; requires at least full-time enrollment.
  • Renewal: Scholarships limited to one academic year; recertification and renewal eligibility criteria described, including progress and income limits.
  • Renewal conditions differ for students at State-owned/State-related/Independent institutions versus Community Colleges/Stevens Tech.

Scholarships for Room and Board (Section 2007-N)

  • Applications accepted as funds permit.
  • For room and board at State-owned, State-related, or Independent Institutions:
    • Amount capped at the outstanding balance after other aid; income cap of $60,000; requires full-time enrollment.
  • For Community Colleges or Stevens Tech:
    • Similar framework; room and board amounts may exceed outstanding balance only under defined rules.
  • Renewal: Generally up to one academic year; recertification required; continued eligibility tied to enrollment status, progress, and income.
  • Restrictions mirror tuition/fees portion with additional limits on program duration.

Aid for Adult Reeducation (Section 2008-N)

  • Provides aid for adult learners for reeducation or certificate programs.
  • Income limit up to $250,000; requires enrollment or admission to eligible programs.
  • Priority given to programs that lead to industry-recognized credentials articulated with college credit.
  • Funds used to pay outstanding balances to institutions; renewal and eligibility follow similar annual limits as other sections.
  • Limitations on aid exposure and eligibility mirror other sections; renewal criteria included.

Income Adjustments and Coordination (Section 2009-N)

  • Annual income limits adjust with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rounded to the nearest $10.
  • Agency must coordinate across agency-administered programs and aim for a unified, possibly single application to maximize efficiency and benefits.

Reporting and Accountability (Section 2010-N)

  • Annual report starting one year after the first scholarship is awarded.
  • Reports to Governor and legislative appropriations/education committees, including:
    • Demographic breakdowns (race, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status).
    • Total scholarships awarded and average amounts.
    • Year-over-year cost comparisons across institutions.
    • Recommendations for access and affordability.
    • Institutional and major-specific breakdowns of where recipients study.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Eligible students and eligible adult learners seeking reeducation in Pennsylvania.
  • Institutions of higher education (state-owned, state-related, community colleges, and independent institutions) that would receive payments from the Fund to cover tuition, fees, and room and board for qualifying students.
  • Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) as administering agency.
  • State government through the introduced funding mechanism and annual reporting requirements.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date: The act states it takes effect immediately upon enactment.
  • Fund administration and ongoing contributions: Fund accepts gifts; investment returns stay in the fund; annual appropriations to the agency are ongoing.
  • Applications and renewal processes: Annual or per-academic-year cycles with recertification requirements; renewal contingent on progress and income limits.
  • CPI-based adjustments: Income thresholds revised annually based on CPI changes, with publication notifications to the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
  • Annual reporting: Begins one year after the first scholarship is awarded, with specified reporting obligations to key legislative and executive bodies.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Financial Access: The program could reduce net college costs for many Pennsylvanians by covering remaining tuition, fees, and room/board after other aid.
  • Economic Alignment: Prioritization of credentials tied to in-demand industries could support workforce development and economic goals.
  • Equity and Reach: Income caps up to $250,000 (tuition/fees) and $60,000 (room and board) create a broad but targeted eligibility pool; demographic reporting would enable assessment of equity.
  • Administration and Costs: Administrative costs capped at 5% or actual costs; the availability of funds will depend on ongoing contributions and investment income.
  • Sustainability: Nonlapsing fund design supports multi-year commitments, but long-term adequacy would depend on fund size, investment returns, and ongoing appropriations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.