First, New York state started offering free college tuition to middle-class residents.
Now, Pennsylvania lawmakers want to see something similar–– but some area residents, including a local lawmaker, are questioning such a move.
Senate Bill 1111 and House Bill 2444, introduced Wednesday by Democratic lawmakers from southern Pennsylvania, would help recent high school graduates cover as many as four years of tuition and fees at public community colleges, universities in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and state-related universities. The plan is part of what is called “Pennsylvania Promise.”
State Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, said that while he is always open to a proposal that would help make sure students are able to access higher education, he does have a major concern. He said that he wonders about the cost of bills and if the intended outcome of the legislation would indeed be realized.
The bills would cover as many as four years of tuition and fees for recent high school graduates enrolled full time at Pennsylvania’s 14 public community colleges. What’s more, the legislation would cover up to four years of tuition and fees for recent high school graduates with a family income less than or equal to $110,000 per year at one of the 14 universities in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education or a state-related university.
The bills would also cover room and board for recent high school graduates with a family income less than or equal to $48,000 per year at a community college, state-owned or state-related institution.
All things considered, Lisa Komidar, via The Era’s Facebook page, said she worked in higher education for many years and witnessed many students with full scholarships or grants who later dropped out of college.
“They aren’t interested in really attending school or lack the ability to handle the level of coursework,” she said. “They only attended because it was free for them. I think there needs to be qualifications on the funding. Plus, how will the institutions be responsible for the dropout rates?”
Meanwhile, Dan Robinson, via Facebook, asked if his student loans would be forgiven under the legislation. He said he went to school in Pennsylvania.
“They follow me everywhere, and because I have so much debt between my wife and I, we are unable to get a mortgage to buy a house in an area we love,” he said.
However, James Heckman indicated that education is so vital to have a competitive economy.
“There are over 5 million unfilled jobs in the U.S., because we don’t have qualified candidates to fill them. Investing in education can bring back huge returns in the long run,” he said.
The Keystone Research Center and the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center praised Senate Bill 1111 and House Bill 2444.
“The global race for raising incomes and increasing opportunity hinges critically on access to post-secondary education and training,” said Diana Polson, policy analyst for the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center. “If Pennsylvania does not expand access to higher education to more of its citizens, the Commonwealth’s economy will suffer and living standards will lag behind growth elsewhere.”
Via Facebook, Kelly Shelly Hohn said she would not support the bills “if taxpayers foot the bill,” and Robert A. South called the proposal a pipe dream.
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford President Dr. Livingston Alexander declined to comment on this story, referring The Era to the Pitt office of media relations. No one from the university returned an email seeking comment for this story.
