SB 299 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for Pennsylvania Promise Program; and establishing the Pennsylvania Promise Program Fund.

PRINTER'S NO.   1348

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                        SENATE BILL
                        No. 299
                                                 Session of
                                                   2025

     INTRODUCED BY HUGHES, SAVAL, TARTAGLIONE, COMITTA, KANE,
        HAYWOOD, FONTANA, CAPPELLETTI, COSTA, SCHWANK AND MILLER,
        DECEMBER 5, 2025

     REFERRED TO EDUCATION, DECEMBER 5, 2025


                                       AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
 2      act relating to the public school system, including certain
 3      provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
 4      schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
 5      laws relating thereto," providing for Pennsylvania Promise
 6      Program; and establishing the Pennsylvania Promise Program
 7      Fund.
 8      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 9   hereby enacts as follows:
10      Section 1.     The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
11   as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
12   article to read:
13                                ARTICLE XX-N
14                        PENNSYLVANIA PROMISE PROGRAM
15   Section 2001-N.    Scope of article.
16      This article relates to the Pennsylvania Promise Program.
17   Section 2002-N.    Definitions.
18      The following words and phrases when used in this article
19   shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
20   context clearly indicates otherwise:
 1      "Academic year."     A 12-month period commencing on or after
 2   August 1 of the calendar year.
 3      "Agency."     The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance
 4   Agency.
 5      "Community college."     An institution created under Article
 6   XIX-A or the act of August 24, 1963 (P.L.1132, No.484), known as
 7   the Community College Act of 1963.
 8      "Eligible adult learner."     An individual who:
 9             (1)   Is a resident of this Commonwealth at the time of
10      application to the agency for aid to assist with reeducation
11      programs under section 2008-N.
12             (2)   Has been a domiciled resident of this Commonwealth
13      as determined by the agency.
14             (3)   Is 24 years of age or older at the time of
15      application to the agency for aid to assist with reeducation
16      programs under section 2008-N.
17             (4)   Has graduated from high school or an equivalent
18      approved by the Department of Education.
19             (5)   Has applied for and been accepted to an institution
20      of higher education.
21             (6)   Has completed a Free Application for Federal Student
22      Aid.
23             (7)   Has applied for all available Federal grants, State
24      grants and institution grants.
25      "Eligible student."     An individual who:
26             (1)   Is a resident of this Commonwealth at the time of
27      application to the agency for a scholarship under section
28      2006-N or 2007-N.
29             (2)   Has been a domiciled resident of this Commonwealth
30      as determined by the agency.

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 1             (3)   Is less than 24 years of age or is an active member
 2      of a branch of the armed services at the time of application
 3      to the agency for a scholarship under section 2006-N or 2007-
 4      N.
 5             (4)   Has graduated from high school or an equivalent
 6      approved by the Department of Education within the previous
 7      five years.
 8             (5)   Has applied for and been accepted to an institution
 9      of higher education.
10             (6)   Has completed a Free Application for Federal Student
11      Aid.
12             (7)   Has applied for all available Federal grants, State
13      grants and institution grants.
14      "Fees."      Fixed charges to recover costs of certain services,
15   materials or activities provided. Fees may not exceed the
16   highest fixed charges set by the Board of Governors of the State
17   System of Higher Education.
18      "Full-time student."     An individual enrolled in an
19   undergraduate degree program at an institution of higher
20   education and registered for a minimum of 12 credits per
21   semester or equivalent enrollment as set by the agency.
22      "Fund."      The Pennsylvania Promise Program Fund established
23   under section 2005-N.
24      "Institution of higher education."        Any of the following:
25             (1)   A community college.
26             (2)   A State-owned institution.
27             (3)   A State-related institution.
28             (4)   The Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
29      "Part-time student."     An individual enrolled in an
30   institution of higher education and registered for less than 12

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 1   credits per semester or equivalent enrollment as set by the
 2   agency.
 3      "Program."     The Pennsylvania Promise Program established
 4   under this article.
 5      "Room and board."     The standard educational expense allowance
 6   for the most recent year as determined by the agency.
 7      "Scholarship for room and board."     A scholarship for room and
 8   board awarded by the agency under section 2007-N.
 9      "Scholarship for tuition and fees."     A scholarship for
10   tuition and fees awarded under section 2006-N.
11      "State-owned institution."     An institution which is part of
12   the State System of Higher Education under Article XX-A and all
13   branches and campuses of the institution.
14      "State-related institution."     The Pennsylvania State
15   University, Pennsylvania College of Technology, University of
16   Pittsburgh, Temple University, Lincoln University and associated
17   branch campuses of the universities.
18      "Tuition."     An amount not to exceed the maximum undergraduate
19   in-State tuition rate established by the Board of Governors of
20   the State System of Higher Education for rendering educational
21   services, as enumerated in Article XX-A. The agency, at its
22   discretion, may increase the maximum amount.
23   Section 2003-N.    Pennsylvania Promise Program.
24      The Pennsylvania Promise Program is established within the
25   agency.
26   Section 2004-N.    Procedure.
27      (a)    Agency.--The agency shall administer the program and
28   carry out this article.
29      (b)    Regulations.--The agency may promulgate regulations
30   necessary to administer this article.

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 1   Section 2005-N.    Pennsylvania Promise Program Fund.
 2      (a)     Fund.--The Pennsylvania Promise Program Fund is
 3   established in the State Treasury.
 4      (b)     Administration of fund.--Money in the fund is
 5   appropriated to the agency on an ongoing basis to carry out this
 6   article.
 7      (c)     Contributions and investment.--
 8            (1)   The fund may accept gifts, donations, legacies or
 9      any other revenues.
10            (2)   Interest earned by the fund shall remain in the
11      fund.
12      (d)     Purpose.--Money in the fund shall be used for the
13   purposes stated in this article.
14      (e)     Nonlapsing.--Money in the fund shall not lapse and shall
15   be available in subsequent fiscal years to be used in accordance
16   with the provisions of this article.
17      (f)     Reallocation.--The agency may allocate money from the
18   fund to eligible students attending an institution of higher
19   education in accordance with sections 2006-N and 2007-N.
20      (g)     Administrative costs.--The agency may, for program
21   administration, utilize the lesser of 5% or the actual costs to
22   the agency from money available in the fund for that fiscal
23   year.
24   Section 2006-N.    Scholarship for tuition and fees.
25      (a)     Application.--The agency shall accept applications, in a
26   form and manner as determined by the agency, from eligible
27   students for a scholarship for tuition and fees as provided in
28   this section.
29      (b)     Scholarship at State-owned or State-related
30   institution.--An eligible student may receive a scholarship for

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 1   tuition and fees at a State-owned institution or State-related
 2   institution for the academic year. The amount of the scholarship
 3   may not exceed the lesser of the maximum undergraduate in-State
 4   tuition rate established by the Board of Governors of the State
 5   System of Higher Education for rendering educational services as
 6   enumerated in Article XX-A, or the outstanding tuition and fees
 7   after Federal, State and institution grants have been applied,
 8   if the eligible student:
 9            (1)   has a total annual household income that does not
10      exceed $250,000 subject to the adjustment in section 2009-N;
11      and
12            (2)   is enrolled full time.
13      (c)   Scholarship at community college.--An eligible student
14   may receive a scholarship at a community college for the
15   academic year in an amount not to exceed the outstanding tuition
16   and fees after Federal, State and institution grants have been
17   applied if, at a minimum, the eligible student is enrolled full
18   time.
19      (d)   Review and approval.--
20            (1)   The agency shall review all applications submitted
21      under this section.
22            (2)   The agency may approve an application if the
23      application meets the requirements under subsection (b) or
24      (c) and if the eligible student submitting the application
25      meets the requirements of this article.
26      (e)   Distribution of scholarship.--Once an eligible student
27   has been approved for a scholarship for tuition and fees, the
28   agency shall, upon receipt of an outstanding balance from an
29   institution of higher education, pay the outstanding tuition and
30   fee balance owed by the eligible student directly to the

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 1   institution of higher education.
 2      (f)   Limitation on scholarship.--Notwithstanding any
 3   provision of this act to the contrary, the agency may not issue
 4   a scholarship in excess of the outstanding balance for tuition
 5   and fees received from an institution of higher education.
 6      (g)   Renewal.--
 7            (1)   The scholarship for tuition and fees may not exceed
 8      one academic year.
 9            (2)   The agency shall create an application to allow
10      previously approved eligible students to recertify their
11      eligibility.
12            (3)   An eligible student at a State-owned institution or
13      State-related institution who has not exceeded the limitation
14      in subsection (i) may reapply for the scholarship for tuition
15      and fees if the eligible student:
16                  (i)    Is enrolled full time.
17                  (ii)    Is making satisfactory academic progress as
18            determined by the institution of higher education, unless
19            the eligible student is in the first year of college.
20                  (iii)    While attending a State-owned institution or
21            State-related institution, has a total annual household
22            income that does not exceed $250,000 subject to the
23            adjustment in section 2009-N.
24            (4)   An eligible student at a community college who has
25      not exceeded the limitation in subsection (i) may reapply for
26      the scholarship for tuition and fees if the eligible student:
27                  (i)    Is enrolled full time or part time.
28                  (ii)    Is making satisfactory academic progress,
29            unless the eligible student is in the first year of
30            college.

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 1      (h)   Continued eligibility.--An eligible student must be
 2   continuously enrolled in the institution of higher education for
 3   the academic year which the eligible student received a
 4   scholarship for tuition and fees. If the eligible student is not
 5   continuously enrolled in the institution of higher education,
 6   the agency, in its discretion, may deny renewal under subsection
 7   (g).
 8      (i)   Limitation to scholarship.--
 9            (1)   An eligible student may not receive a scholarship
10      for tuition and fees if the eligible student:
11                  (i)    While attending a community college, has
12            completed more than four academic years or has earned an
13            associate's degree.
14                  (ii)    While attending a State-owned institution or
15            State-related institution, has completed four academic
16            years or has earned a bachelor's degree.
17            (2)   A student who is otherwise eligible for a
18      scholarship for tuition and fees under this section may not
19      receive a scholarship if the local sponsor, as defined under
20      section 1901-A(2), reduces the amount of the payment made
21      under section 1913-A(a) as of the effective date of this
22      paragraph. The agency, in its sole discretion, may waive the
23      provisions of this paragraph.
24            (3)   An eligible student may receive a scholarship for no
25      more than four academic years at an institution of higher
26      education.
27   Section 2007-N.       Scholarship for room and board.
28      (a)   Application.--The agency shall accept applications, in a
29   form and manner as determined by the agency, from eligible
30   students for a scholarship for room and board as provided in

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 1   this section.
 2      (b)   Scholarship at State-owned institution or State-related
 3   institution.--An eligible student at a State-owned institution
 4   or State-related institution may receive a scholarship for room
 5   and board for the academic year after Federal, State and
 6   institution grants have been applied if the eligible student:
 7            (1)   has a total annual household income that does not
 8      exceed $60,000 subject to the adjustment in section 2009-N;
 9      and
10            (2)   is enrolled full time.
11      (c)   Scholarship at community college.--An eligible student
12   at a community college may receive a scholarship for room and
13   board for the academic year after Federal, State and institution
14   grants have been applied, if the eligible student:
15            (1)   has a total annual household income that does not
16      exceed $60,000 subject to the adjustment in section 2009-N;
17      and
18            (2)   is enrolled full time or part time.
19      (d)   Review and approval.--
20            (1)   The agency shall review all applications submitted
21      under this section.
22            (2)   The agency may approve an application if the
23      application meets the requirements under subsection (b) or
24      (c) and if the eligible student meets the requirements of
25      this article.
26      (e)   Distribution of scholarship at State-owned institution
27   or State-related institution.--If an eligible student has been
28   approved for a scholarship for room and board, the agency shall,
29   upon receipt of an outstanding balance from the State-owned
30   institution or State-related institution, pay the outstanding

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 1   balance for room and board owed by the eligible student directly
 2   to the institution.
 3      (f)   Distribution of scholarship at community colleges.--If
 4   an eligible student has been approved for a scholarship for room
 5   and board, the agency shall pay a scholarship for room and board
 6   in a manner decided by the agency.
 7      (g)   Limitation on scholarship.--
 8            (1)   Except as provided in paragraph (2) and
 9      notwithstanding any provision of this act to the contrary,
10      the agency may not issue a scholarship for room and board in
11      excess of the outstanding balance received from a State-owned
12      institution or State-related institution.
13            (2)   The agency may issue a scholarship for room and
14      board in excess of the outstanding balance received from a
15      community college.
16            (3)   A student who is otherwise eligible for a
17      scholarship for tuition and fees under this section may not
18      receive a scholarship if the local sponsor, as defined under
19      section 1901-A(2), reduces the amount of the payment made
20      under section 1913-A(a) as of the effective date of this
21      paragraph. The agency, in its sole discretion, may waive the
22      provisions of this paragraph.
23      (h)   Renewal.--
24            (1)   A scholarship for room and board may not exceed one
25      academic year.
26            (2)   The agency shall create an application to allow
27      previously approved eligible students to recertify the
28      eligible student's eligibility.
29            (3)   An eligible student who has not exceeded the
30      limitation in subsection (j) may reapply for the scholarship

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 1      for room and board if the student is enrolled full time at a
 2      State-owned institution or State-related institution or is
 3      enrolled full time or part time at a community college and:
 4                  (i)    is making satisfactory academic progress as
 5            determined by the institution of higher education, unless
 6            the eligible student is in the first year of college; and
 7                  (ii)    has a total annual household income that does
 8            not exceed $60,000 subject to the adjustment in section
 9            2009-N.
10      (i)   Continued eligibility.--An eligible student must be
11   continuously enrolled in the institution of higher education for
12   the academic year for which the eligible student received a
13   scholarship for room and board. If an eligible student is not
14   continuously enrolled in the institution of higher education,
15   the agency, in its discretion, may deny renewal under subsection
16   (h).
17      (j)   Limitation to eligibility.--
18            (1)   An eligible student may not receive a scholarship
19      for room and board if the eligible student:
20                  (i)    Except as provided in paragraph (2), has
21            completed four academic years or has earned an
22            associate's degree while attending a community college.
23                  (ii)    Has completed four academic years or has earned
24            a bachelor's degree while attending a State-owned
25            institution or State-related institution.
26            (2)   An eligible student may receive a scholarship for
27      two academic years at a State-owned institution or State-
28      related institution if eligibility under paragraph (1)(i) has
29      been exhausted.
30   Section 2008-N.       Aid for adult reeducation.

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 1      (a)   Application.--The agency shall accept applications, in a
 2   form and manner as determined by the agency, from an eligible
 3   adult learner for aid for adult reeducation.
 4      (b)   Eligibility.--An eligible adult learner may receive
 5   assistance for aid for adult reeducation programs for the
 6   academic year if the eligible adult learner:
 7            (1)   has a total annual household income that does not
 8      exceed $250,000 subject to the adjustment in section 2009-N;
 9      and
10            (2)   has applied for and been accepted into an adult
11      reeducation program or adult reeducation certificate program,
12      or is enrolled full time or part time in an institution of
13      higher education.
14      (c)   Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Cluster Certificate
15   Scholarship Program.--The agency may use money allocated for
16   adult reeducation for the Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Cluster
17   Certificate Scholarship Program.
18      (d)   Review and approval.--
19            (1)   The agency shall review all applications submitted
20      under this section.
21            (2)   The agency may approve an application if the
22      application meets the requirements under subsection (b) and
23      if the eligible adult learner meets the requirements of this
24      section.
25      (e)   Priority.--When reviewing an application for aid under
26   this section, the agency shall prioritize aid for programs that
27   lead to an industry-recognized credential that is articulated
28   with college credit. The agency shall annually determine and
29   post on its publicly accessible Internet website industry-
30   recognized credentialed programs which qualify for aid priority

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 1   under this section.
 2      (f)   Distribution of aid.--If an eligible adult learner has
 3   been approved for aid under this section, the agency shall, upon
 4   receipt of an outstanding balance from an institution of higher
 5   education, pay the outstanding balance owed by an adult learner
 6   directly to the institution of higher education.
 7      (g)   Limitation on aid.--Notwithstanding any provision of
 8   this act, the agency may not issue any aid in excess of the
 9   outstanding balance received from an institution of higher
10   education.
11      (h)   Renewal.--
12            (1)   Aid awarded to an eligible adult learner shall not
13      exceed one academic year.
14            (2)   The agency shall create an application to allow
15      previously approved eligible adult learners to recertify
16      their eligibility.
17            (3)   An eligible adult learner who has not exceeded the
18      limitation in subsection (i) may reapply for aid if the
19      eligible adult learner:
20                  (i)    Is enrolled full time or part time at an
21            institution of higher education or a certificate program
22            approved by the agency.
23                  (ii)    Has a total annual household income that does
24            not exceed $250,000 subject to the adjustment in section
25            2009-N.
26      (i)   Limitation to eligibility.--An eligible adult learner
27   may not receive aid if the eligible adult learner:
28            (1)   has completed more than four academic years while
29      attending a community college;
30            (2)   has earned an associate's degree while attending a

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 1      community college; or
 2            (3)   has completed an industry-recognized credential for
 3      which the eligible adult learner was enrolled in order to
 4      qualify for aid.
 5            (4)   has completed four academic years or has earned a
 6      bachelor's degree while attending a State-owned institution
 7      or State-related institution; or
 8            (5)   has completed an industry-recognized credential for
 9      which the eligible adult learner was enrolled in order to
10      qualify for aid.
11   Section 2009-N.    Annual income adjustment.
12      (a)   CPI percentage change.--
13            (1)   The household income limits under this article shall
14      be increased by a percentage equal to the percentage change
15      in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers
16      statistics published by the United States Bureau of Labor
17      Statistics. Any increase shall be rounded to the nearest $10.
18      The percentage change shall be determined by comparison of
19      the figure for the previous July, with that of the current
20      July figure. If the Consumer Price Index declines for a given
21      period, the household income limits under this article shall
22      be unchanged for that year.
23            (2)   The agency shall, within 10 days following the
24      determination under paragraph (1), transmit notice of the
25      determination to the Legislative Reference Bureau for
26      publication in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania
27      Bulletin.
28      (b)   Coordination of programs.--Notwithstanding any provision
29   of law to the contrary, the agency shall coordinate efforts
30   between programs administered by the agency in order to maximize

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 1   benefits to eligible students and to ensure an effective and
 2   efficient use of Commonwealth funds.
 3      (c)   Uniform application.--To the extent possible, the agency
 4   shall develop a single application for programs administered by
 5   the agency to maximize the coordination of programs required
 6   under subsection (b).
 7   Section 2010-N.    Annual report.
 8      Beginning one year after the first scholarship is awarded
 9   under this article, the agency shall provide the Governor, the
10   chairperson and minority chairperson of the Appropriations
11   Committee of the Senate, the chairperson and minority
12   chairperson of the Appropriations Committee of the House of
13   Representatives, the chairperson and minority chairperson of the
14   Education Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and
15   minority chairperson of the Education Committee of the House of
16   Representatives with a report which includes the following:
17            (1)   The total number of students served by the program.
18            (2)   A breakdown by race, gender, ethnicity and
19      socioeconomic demographic for all students served by the
20      program, if known.
21            (3)   The total number of scholarships awarded and the
22      average amount awarded.
23            (4)   A year-over-year comparison of the net total costs
24      at all institutions of higher education in this Commonwealth
25      which shall be used to evaluate the adequacy and success of
26      the program in lowering college costs.
27            (5)   Recommendations, if any, for improving access and
28      affordability of higher education.
29            (6)   A breakdown of the institutions attended by eligible
30      students in the program.

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1         (7)   A breakdown of the majors in which the eligible
2     students in the program are enrolled.
3         (8)   Any other information.
4     Section 2.    This act shall take effect immediately.




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