Systemwide initiative will help eligible Pell and PA State Grant recipients pay no tuition out-of-pocket after other aid is applied

The board also sets 2026-27 in-state undergraduate tuition rate

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) announced today the systemwide “PASSHE Pledge,” a last-dollar scholarship initiative to cover remaining tuition costs for in-state undergraduate students who receive both a federal Pell Grant and a PA State Grant. The initiative begins in fall 2027.

Under the pledge, eligible students across all 10 PASSHE universities would pay no out-of-pocket tuition costs after federal, state and institutional aid is applied. Fees, books, housing and meals are not included.

The Board of Governors today unanimously approved a resolution supporting the pledge. Each university president will coordinate with PASSHE Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino to finalize the details on the university’s program to align with the goals of the pledge.

“With the launch of the PASSHE Pledge, we stand together as a state system of 10 great universities to eliminate a financial barrier to baccalaureate degrees and high-quality jobs for many hardworking students,” said Cynthia Shapira, chair of the PASSHE Board of Governors. “This is a major step toward helping more students earn a degree, launch a career and build a stronger future without a tuition gap standing in their way.”

Some PASSHE universities already have programs that meet parts of the pledge and will help inform the broader systemwide initiative.

“I applaud our university presidents for advancing the PASSHE Pledge,” said PASSHE Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino. “They understand that even when students receive federal and state grants, a remaining tuition gap can make college feel out of reach. The PASSHE Pledge is designed to close that gap for eligible students so more Pennsylvanians can start college, stay on track and earn a degree.”

Fiorentino noted that the system will also seek external support from donors for the scholarship initiative.

Additional information about the scholarship pledge will be shared in a few months.

Expanding affordability
Affordability is a major factor in whether students can attend college, continue their education and graduate. PASSHE universities are already the most affordable four-year college option in Pennsylvania, and the PASSHE Pledge builds on that role by making the path to a degree even more affordable for eligible students.

The Board of Governors kept in-state undergraduate tuition frozen from 2018 to 2024, creating significant savings for students. In recent years, PASSHE universities have increased the average amount of university-funded aid per student.

“As a student member of the Board of Governors, I am proud to support expanding the pathway to a college degree for more students,” said Ali Sina Sharifi, a Shippensburg University student and member of the PASSHE Board of Governors. “Many students have jobs and work long hours while taking classes so they can afford college. By covering remaining tuition costs for eligible students, the PASSHE Pledge can help more students focus on their courses, continue their education and prepare for their futures.”

Workforce investment for Pennsylvania
Covering remaining tuition costs for Pell and PA State Grant recipients is also an investment in Pennsylvania’s future workforce. More students can afford to enroll, complete their degrees and enter careers that Pennsylvania employers and communities depend on.

That is important as the commonwealth is projected to have a shortage of 218,000 workers with postsecondary credentials by 2032. PASSHE plays a vital role in meeting that need. State System universities enroll about 83,000 students, nearly 90% of whom are Pennsylvania residents, and nearly 20,000 students graduate each year.

“Each student who has the opportunity to learn, build skills and graduate helps strengthen Pennsylvania’s workforce," said Fiorentino. “This initiative is about opening doors for students and helping Pennsylvania prepare more graduates for the careers that support our communities and economy.”

PASSHE university graduates earn about 65% more over their careers than Pennsylvanians with only a high school diploma, which equals nearly $1 million in additional lifetime earnings. The cost of earning a PASSHE degree is roughly 2% of a typical graduate’s lifetime earnings, and nearly 95% of graduates can repay their student loans within 10 years.

Also today: Board sets 2026-27 in-state undergraduate tuition rate
The Board of Governors today also set the 2026-27 in-state undergraduate tuition rate for PASSHE universities and committed to roll back the rate if the state provides sufficient funding as part of the state budget currently being negotiated. Setting tuition now provides clarity for students before the academic year begins next month while preserving flexibility for state leaders during budget negotiations.

PASSHE universities – the state universities of Pennsylvania – remain the most affordable four-year college option in the commonwealth. For 2026-27, in-state undergraduate tuition will increase by $172 per semester. The new tuition rate will be $4,169 per semester, or $8,338 for a full academic year, the lowest university tuition in the state.

Even with the increase, next year’s tuition will be 18% lower than if tuition had risen with inflation since 2018, saving students nearly $1,800 a year.

“Every dollar counts for our students, and while we would prefer to freeze tuition as the Board did for seven years, we kept this increase as low as possible,” said Shapira, chair of the PASSHE Board of Governors. “If the state provides sufficient funding, the Board is committed to rolling back the rate.”

PASSHE universities have taken significant steps to protect affordability for students and families, including:

• Saving $700 million since 2019 through efficiency improvements and cost controls.
• Providing more than $160 million annually in university-funded aid that directly reduces student costs.
• Expanding emergency aid programs to help students overcome financial hardship and stay on track to graduation.

The Board sets in-state undergraduate tuition rates. Each university sets graduate and out-of-state undergraduate tuition rates, along with student room, board and mandatory fees.

About PASSHE
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is Pennsylvania’s public university system, with a mission to provide high-quality education at the lowest possible cost to students. State System universities award more than 20,000 degrees each year and have more than 800,000 living alumni, most of whom live in Pennsylvania.

The State System universities are Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Millersville University of Pennsylvania, PennWest University, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and West Chester University of Pennsylvania.