LOCK HAVEN, Pa. -

by

Presidents Maravene Loeschke (Mansfield)

and Keith Miller (Lock Haven)

Governor Ed Rendell has proposed legislation entitled the “Tuition Relief Act.” This Act is designed to provide financial assistance to thousands of Pennsylvanians who are interested in attending college. Many of these people may not be able to attend college without significant financial assistance.

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) has worked diligently to keep tuition costs down. Even so, in these very challenging economic times, many students cannot afford the tuition of our public colleges.

At a time when attaining a college education is more important than ever, financially it has become increasingly difficult for many Pennsylvania families. Governor Rendell correctly stated, “Building a world-class workforce requires a world-class education -- and that means a post-secondary degree.”

Viewed in those terms, the Tuition Relief Act could be an element of Pennsylvania’s economic recovery plan. Some studies indicate that over a lifetime a person with a bachelor’s degree may earn twice as much in salary as a person with a high school diploma. In some cases, the discrepancy could approach a million dollars or more. It is projected that the Tuition Relief Act could enable 20,000 additional citizens to seek college degrees. The long-term economic impact would be significant.

Families that do not currently qualify for Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) grants, but who earn less than $100,000 per year would benefit from the Act. Families earning below $32,000 annually would pay only $1,000 for tuition, fees, room, board, and books. The number of students receiving grants could double at the public state-owned universities.

It is encouraging to be a citizen in a state that understands the importance of access to higher education. A college education must be affordable for our young citizens and adult learners. To a great extent, the future of our Commonwealth depends on the education of its citizenry. Education is one of the few investments than can be made during challenging times that will pay off for many years to come.