Arr, Matey! PA Governor Shapiro be settin' sail to fix the sorry state o' higher learnin' in his budget!
2024-01-26
Arr! Me hearties, beware! Thar be news from the landlubbers! Pennsylvania's Governor, Josh Shapiro, be aimin' to mend the ship of higher learnin' with gold from his treasure chest in his next budget. Aye, he'll be grantin' aid to them universities! Yo ho ho, what a jolly good plan!
Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania is planning to propose measures to address the state's struggling higher education system next month, according to his administration. Pennsylvania currently ranks poorly in terms of affordability, student debt, and higher education aid compared to other states. The specifics of the proposal will be revealed in Shapiro's budget address on February 6. The administration plans to allocate significant aid for state-owned universities, community colleges, and their students. They also suggest uniting the state-owned universities and independent community colleges under a governance system to improve coordination and limit competition and duplication. Additionally, Shapiro aims to reduce tuition and fees to $1,000 per semester for Pennsylvania students attending state-owned universities with a household income below the state median. The administration did not provide details on the financial implications of this proposal or how it would affect the state's rankings. Furthermore, the state intends to develop an aid formula that rewards institutions for factors such as enrollment growth and graduation rates. Schools would also receive incentives to recruit and support students in completing degrees in high-demand fields and areas with workforce shortages. These ideas were generated by a working group of college and university presidents assembled by the Shapiro administration."