Providing for in-State tuition for Pennsylvania residents.
Summary
HB1762 would create a new article in the Public School Code establishing an in-state tuition benefit for Pennsylvania residents at public institutions of higher education. The bill defines covered institutions as community colleges, State System universities, and State-related institutions, and it exempts qualifying students from paying the out-of-state tuition rate if they have been Pennsylvania residents for at least 12 months and enroll no earlier than the 2025 fall semester.
The measure is narrowly focused on tuition classification rather than broader higher education governance. It would amend the Public School Code of 1949 to add a new statutory framework administered through the Department of Education, setting a residency-based eligibility standard for tuition purposes and applying only to students entering after the specified semester.
Impact
HB1762 would amend the Public School Code of 1949 by adding Article XX-N, creating a statewide tuition policy for Pennsylvania residents at public institutions of higher education. It would require eligible institutions to treat qualifying residents as in-state students for tuition purposes, which could reduce tuition costs for some students and reduce out-of-state tuition revenue for affected schools. The bill would apply to community colleges, State System universities, and State-related institutions, but not private institutions.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be presented as a straightforward affordability and access proposal for Pennsylvania residents. The sponsorship and caption suggest a generally supportive policy goal of expanding in-state tuition eligibility, with no documented opposition or amendment activity in the provided materials. Overall, the bill’s framing indicates a pro-student, pro-resident sentiment centered on lowering higher education costs.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are the fiscal and administrative effects on public colleges and universities, especially the loss of out-of-state tuition revenue and the need to verify 12-month residency. Another possible issue is the scope of institutions covered, since the bill includes State-related institutions as well as State System and community colleges, which may raise questions about implementation and institutional autonomy. Because no committee transcript or vote record is provided, no specific opposing arguments or named stakeholders are identified in the available materials.
Establishing the Office of New Pennsylvanians and providing for its powers and duties; establishing the Office of New Pennsylvanians Restricted Account; and establishing the Advisory Committee to Office of New Pennsylvanians and providing for its powers, duties and membership.
In tuition account programs, further providing for declaration of policy, for definitions, for Tuition Account Programs Bureau, for powers of department, for Tuition Account Guaranteed Savings Program, for Tuition Account Investment Program, for general provisions governing both tuition account programs and for Federal taxation; establishing the Keystone Scholars Grant Program and the Keystone Scholars Grant Program Account; and making a repeal.