Senator Vincent Hughes
PA Promise

Pennsylvania Promise

Free and Affordable Education for All

One of the most troubling challenges facing many students and families across Pennsylvania is the high cost of education.  This is often such a high hurdle that many students simply forgo a college education and are prevented from acquiring the skills necessary to gain better positions with higher wages.

The education gap caused by a lack of access to college or advanced education is, for many low-and-middle income students, the one faction preventing them from gaining traction in the workplace.   In our increasingly complex and high-tech economy, it is essential that we make, then fulfill, the promise to Pennsylvania students:  YOU will have access to a high-quality education without the burdens of crippling debt.

That’s what the Pennsylvania Promise is all about. The Pennsylvania Promise is available to students with family incomes of $250,000 or less and who are attending a public institution of higher education in Pennsylvania. It provides a last-dollar scholarship that covers the remainder of a student’s tuition bill after all financial aid has been applied – guaranteeing a free college education for students and families.

Additional scholarships for room and board are available for students from families with incomes below $60,000.

The program also provides for scholarships for adult learners enrolled in an adult reeducation program and who have not previously earned a postsecondary credential.

Help us make the Pennsylvania Promise a promise fulfilled.

    • Contact your legislators and tell them to support Pennsylvania Promise. (Click here to look up your elected officials.) Not sure what to say? Click here for sample messages.
    • Spread the positive message about Pennsylvania Promise on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #PApromise. You can even add a #PApromise overlay to your Facebook profile photo.
    • Attend a Pennsylvania Promise rally.
    • Organize your own rally or house party. Email info@PApromise.org to get started.
    • Share your higher-education story. Click here to submit information.
News
Their Stories
Legislation
Why PA Promise

Video

What Does Pennsylvania Promise Mean To Us

36% of students don't know where there next meal will come from.

“Still Hungry and Homeless in College” by the Wisconson Hope

One in four community college students are hungry.

Nearly 1 in 10 students have gone a whole day without eating in the past month

Temple University and Wisconsin Home

In the past year, 12% of community college students and 9% of university students have slept in shelters.

LGBTQ and African American students are more likely to be food and housing insecure.

56% of all first-generation students are food insecure.

NBC News

57% of black students report food insecurity.

NBC News

WITH, Pa Promise Higher Ed OUR COMMONWEALTH COULD:

Cover two years of tuition and fees for any recent high school graduate enrolled full-time at one of the Commonwealth’s 14 public community colleges

Provide four years of tuition and fees not to exceed the State System tuition rate, depending on family income, for students accepted into a state-related university

Cover four years of tuition and fees for any recent high school graduate with a family income less than or equal to $110,000 per year accepted into one of the 14 universites in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education

Finance the expansion of grant assistance to adults seeking in-demand skills and industry-recognized credentials, as well as college credit

Pennsylvania Promise

Latest News

Making College Affordable in Pennsylvania

Making College Affordable in Pennsylvania

WATCH: Senator Hughes shares an update on the fight for free and affordable higher educationLawmakers are currently working on negotiating Pennsylvania’s next budget which could impact many aspects of life in Pennsylvania, including public education, public safety,...

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Keeping the Promise

Legislation

Senate Bill 299

Senate Co-Sponsorship Memo 46598 Information; 2025-2026 Regular Session – PA State Senate

This legislation establishes a program to remove substantial financial burdens on students and their families and make college more affordable for students attending Pennsylvania’s community colleges, state system universities, and state-related institutions. Funding for the program will be determined through Pennsylvania’s budget process.

PA Promise will be administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Under this proposal, if a student has a total annual household income of $250,000 or less and is a full-time student attending one of the Commonwealth’s state-owned or state-related institutions, the student would be eligible for “last dollar assistance.” “Last dollar assistance” is provided only after all federal, state and institutional assistance is applied to the student’s account. PA Promise would cover the remaining costs after all federal and state assistance is applied. If a student is enrolled at one of the Commonwealth’s community colleges, the student would be eligible for assistance regardless of the student’s household income. For students whose family income is $60,000 or less, PA Promise would aid with costs associated with room and board.

Additionally, this legislation provides dedicated grants to adult learners who are seeking additional credentials, and it supports high-quality apprenticeships.

Why we need The Pennsylvania Promise

Pennsylvania ranks 40th in the nation for the share of adults with an education beyond high school

According to the Institute for College Access and Success, 70 percent of Pennsylvania students graduate with college debt

The per capita funding for higher education in Pennsylvania ranks 47th in the nation

Every student who is accepted to a school and has been reviewed for appropriate federal, state and institutional grants has an option to fund the “last dollars” and get that student into school

Low income graduates borrow at far higher rates (and higher amounts) than middle or upper income graduates

Research estimates that by 2020, 63 percent of new jobs in Pennsylvania will require some level of higher education. Currently only 40 percent of Pennsylvania residents have a higher education degree.

A 2013 Brookings Institute study showed that many high-achieving students from low-income families do not apply to some college or universities because of cost;

This proposal is in line with what New York, Tennessee and Oregon have done and can reduce debt for Pennsylvania students.

A 2015 study found that increased college costs reduce minority enrollment. A $1,000 tuition and fee increase would reduce minority enrollment by more than 2.5 percent

In 2008, students and families paid approximately 36 percent of the cost of public college, by 2014 they paid approximately 50 percent.