The plan for Pennsylvania to reset higher-education affordability started with Keystone Research Center and Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center’s report, “The Pennsylvania Promise: Making College Affordable and Securing Pennsylvania’s Economic Future.” Click here to read the full report. It advocates for more affordable access to post-secondary education in Pennsylvania, which has suffered decades of disinvestment. As a result, students are picking up more and more of the tab, leaving school with thousands of dollars in debt — if they can afford to attend college at all.

In June 2018, legislators introduced Pennsylvania Promise bills: Sen. Vincent J. Hughes was the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 1111, and Rep. James Roebuck was the primary sponsor of House Bill 2444.

For the 2019–20 session, lawmakers reintroduced legislation as Senate Bill 111 and House Bill 244.

For 2023–24 session, lawmakers reintroduced legislation as Senate Bill 315 and House Bill 1886. The House Education Committee on Dec. 12 voted 14-11 in favor of the bill. It next will go to the House of Representatives for a full vote. 

Pennsylvania could promise to:

• Cover tuition and fees for students (Commonwealth residents who are high school graduates and age 24 or younger) whose household income is $200,000 or below.
• Cover tuition and fees as well as room and board for students (Commonwealth residents who are high school graduates and age 24 or younger) whose household income is $60,000 or below.
• Provide adult-learner grants to Commonwealth residents who are 24 years old or older.
• Benefit working-class students and families across the Commonwealth.

Click here to download a PDF that outlines the program.