Gov. Wolf launches college scholarship program for Pa. state workers, dependents

Gov. Tom Wolf has been a strong advocate for funding for Pennsylvania’s state-owned universities and as his administration winds to a close on Jan. 17, he had one more parting gift for them and certain state government employees.

He announced on Thursday the launch of a new $5 million short-lived scholarship program limited to state workers and their dependents who want to pursue a college degree at one of the 10 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Starting this spring, scholarships will be awarded by the PASSHE Foundation, a nonprofit fundraising arm to support the system, on a first-come, first-served basis to students who meet eligibility requirements. Scholarships will be in amounts of $2,000 per academic year for full time students and up to $1,000 for part-time students.

The one-time funding from federal American Rescue Plan Act must be allocated by December 2024. Any unspent funds must be returned to the federal government.

“An essential part of building effective government is supporting the employees who serve their fellow Pennsylvanians every single day,” Wolf said.

“These folks do the hard work of the commonwealth, and I am proud of the ways that we have modernized state employment to ensure we can attract and retain great employees who do their best for their fellow Pennsylvanians every day. This program will continue that progress and help our employees — and our commonwealth — continue to grow and provide the first-class service that Pennsylvanians deserve from state government.”

Wolf has been a strong supporter of transforming State System of Higher Education to bring its costs in line with revenues, make its tuition affordable to low- and middle-income students, and produce graduates for in-demand jobs in this state.

The governor and General Assembly provided the system an additional $75 million, the largest single-year increase in its 40-year history, for a total of $552.5 million, plus another $125 million in one-time American Rescue Plan money to support the system’s redesign efforts.

This latest scholarship program for state government workers comes on the heels of one announced in October that offers a 20% tuition discount to employees who pursue an online degree from Pennsylvania Western University, one of the system’s consolidated universities made up of what was California, Clarion and Edinboro universities.

“We are proud to have a strong partnership with the commonwealth, and we applaud Governor Wolf’s $5 million investment in scholarships for state employees and their dependents at State System universities,” said system board chairwoman Cindy Shapira. “The State System has frozen tuition for four consecutive years and increased student financial aid in our commitment to provide high-quality education at the lowest possible cost to students. These scholarships will further those efforts and open doors of opportunity for many students and working adults.”

Unlike the unsuccessful Nellie Bly scholarship program, this program comes with no residency requirements after graduation for its recipients.

With the $23,000 a year net average cost to attend one of the state system schools, Lynn Miller, who chairs the PASSHE Foundation Board, said, “This additional financial aid is critical for many students to start college, complete their degree and have the advanced skills the state and other employers need.”

Other schools in the state system include Commonwealth University with campuses in Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield as well as Cheyney, East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Kutztown, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester universities.

State employees and their dependents can apply for the scholarships through the foundation’s website at thepafoundation.com.