On January Governor Josh Shapiro released a new blueprint for higher education in Pennsylvania, focused on competitiveness and workforce development, and grounded in access and affordability. Much of the governor’s blueprint is based on the work of the Higher Education Working Group – a group of higher education leaders from across Pennsylvania appointed by him to develop a series of recommendations for improving higher education in the Commonwealth. The result is a three-part blueprint for higher education:
First, the plan will build a new system for higher education that unites PASSHE universities and 15 community colleges under a new governance system, preserving local leadership while uniting both types of institutions behind the goal of educating Pennsylvania.
Once that new system is in place, the plan will make significant investments to ensure higher education is both affordable and accessible for all, because any Pennsylvanian who wants to pursue a higher education should have the opportunity to do so – no matter where they come from or how much money their family makes.
Under the new system created the plan, Pennsylvanians making up to the median income will pay no more than $1,000 in tuition and fees per semester at state-owned universities and community colleges. To help students attending state-related universities and independent colleges, Governor Shapiro’s plan will increase PHEAA grants for all students by $1,000.
The governor is also proposing that direct appropriations to publicly funded colleges and universities be distributed on the basis of a predictable, transparent, outcomes-focused formula that will incentivize colleges and universities to focus on what’s most important to the Commonwealth. A performance-based funding model has already been embraced by higher education leaders across the Commonwealth, including Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi.
Pennsylvania currently ranks 48th for affordability and 49th for state investment in higher education.
To view the press release, click here.