Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Merit Scholarship Program to help attract high-performing out-of-state students to Pennsylvania educational programs in Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Merit Scholarship Program to help attract high-performing out-of-state students to Pennsylvania educational programs in Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools (Sec. 2).

• Specifies merit scholarships shall allow students pursuing in-demand occupations to pay tuition at in-state rates, rather than out-of-state rates (Sec. 2).

• Requires grant recipients be required to live and work in Pennsylvania for at least 15 months for each year they accept the grant and that failure to meet this requirement would result in the grant being converted to a loan that must be repaid (Sec. 2).

• Defines “high-demand industries” to mean the following, including, but not limited to (Sec. 2):

• Agriculture;

• Computer science;

• Criminal justice;

• Business;

• Education;

• Engineering;

• Nursing; 

• Trades;

• Special education;

• STEM education; and 

• Allied health.

• Specifies that these industries may be adjusted annually in consultation with the Independent Fiscal Office (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall become effective 60 days following passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text