HB 2084 — 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.   2680

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 2084
                                                 Session of
                                                   2025

     INTRODUCED BY J. HARRIS, DAVIDSON, PROBST, WAXMAN, HILL-EVANS,
        HANBIDGE, T. DAVIS, STEELE, McNEILL, HOWARD, KENYATTA,
        SIEGEL, SANCHEZ, RIVERA, VENKAT, HOHENSTEIN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ,
        FLEMING, MAYES, CIRESI, GALLAGHER, SCHLOSSBERG, DELLOSO,
        GUZMAN, WARREN AND BRIGGS, DECEMBER 5, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, DECEMBER 9, 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
 1   context clearly indicates otherwise:
 2      "Academic year."     A 12-month period commencing on or after
 3   August 1 of the calendar year.
 4      "Agency."     The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance
 5   Agency.
 6      "Community college."     An institution created under Article
 7   XIX-A or the act of August 24, 1963 (P.L.1132, No.484), known as
 8   the Community College Act of 1963.
 9      "Eligible adult learner."     An individual who:
10             (1)   Is a resident of this Commonwealth at the time of
11      application to the agency for aid to assist with reeducation
12      programs under section 2008-N.
13             (2)   Has been a domiciled resident of this Commonwealth
14      as determined by the agency.
15             (3)   Is 24 years of age or older at the time of
16      application to the agency for aid to assist with reeducation
17      programs under section 2008-N.
18             (4)   Has graduated from high school or an equivalent
19      approved by the Department of Education.
20             (5)   Has applied for and been accepted to an institution
21      of higher education.
22             (6)   Has completed a Free Application for Federal Student
23      Aid.
24             (7)   Has applied for all available Federal grants, State
25      grants and institution grants.
26      "Eligible student."     An individual who:
27             (1)   Is a resident of this Commonwealth at the time of
28      application to the agency for a scholarship under section
29      2006-N or 2007-N.
30             (2)   Has been a domiciled resident of this Commonwealth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 1   institution or State-related institution, pay the outstanding
 2   balance for room and board owed by the eligible student directly
 3   to the institution.
 4      (f)   Distribution of scholarship at community colleges.--If
 5   an eligible student has been approved for a scholarship for room
 6   and board, the agency shall pay a scholarship for room and board
 7   in a manner decided by the agency.
 8      (g)   Limitation on scholarship.--
 9            (1)   Except as provided in paragraph (2) and
10      notwithstanding any provision of this act to the contrary,
11      the agency may not issue a scholarship for room and board in
12      excess of the outstanding balance received from a State-owned
13      institution or State-related institution.
14            (2)   The agency may issue a scholarship for room and
15      board in excess of the outstanding balance received from a
16      community college.
17            (3)   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      (h)   Renewal.--
25            (1)   A scholarship for room and board may not exceed one
26      academic year.
27            (2)   The agency shall create an application to allow
28      previously approved eligible students to recertify the
29      eligible student's eligibility.
30            (3)   An eligible student who has not exceeded the

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

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 1   Section 2008-N.    Aid for adult reeducation.
 2      (a)   Application.--The agency shall accept applications, in a
 3   form and manner as determined by the agency, from an eligible
 4   adult learner for aid for adult reeducation.
 5      (b)   Eligibility.--An eligible adult learner may receive
 6   assistance for aid for adult reeducation programs for the
 7   academic year if the eligible adult learner:
 8            (1)   has a total annual household income that does not
 9      exceed $250,000 subject to the adjustment in section 2009-N;
10      and
11            (2)   has applied for and been accepted into an adult
12      reeducation program or adult reeducation certificate program,
13      or is enrolled full time or part time in an institution of
14      higher education.
15      (c)   Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Cluster Certificate
16   Scholarship Program.--The agency may use money allocated for
17   adult reeducation for the Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Cluster
18   Certificate Scholarship Program.
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) and
24      if the eligible adult learner meets the requirements of this
25      section.
26      (e)   Priority.--When reviewing an application for aid under
27   this section, the agency shall prioritize aid for programs that
28   lead to an industry-recognized credential that is articulated
29   with college credit. The agency shall annually determine and
30   post on its publicly accessible Internet website industry-

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

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

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

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




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