Northhampton News

Gov. Tom Wolf met with members of the Millersville University community April 7.

During the meeting, he highlighted his plan for a new scholarship program that would make college education more attainable for thousands of students, according to a press release from his office.

The $200 million Nellie Bly proposal would give scholarships to students attending a community college or Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) institution, the released stated. The scholarship program would be funded through the American Rescue Plan Act as well as the Race Horse Development Trust Fund.

“When it comes to pursuing a higher education, skyrocketing costs over the last decade have put that dream out of reach for too many families,” Wolf said. “Pennsylvanians are being priced out of a brighter future. When our brightest and best Pennsylvanians can’t pursue a higher education because it’s unaffordable, that means we’re doing something wrong.”

The scholarship program is intended to support student tuition and other costs of attendance, the release stated. It will also focus on students pursuing programs with high workforce needs as the COVID-19 pandemic wains, including healthcare, education, and public service. Students must live and work in Pennsylvania for the same amount of time they received the scholarship to be eligible.

Millersville University President Dr. Daniel A Wubah said for several years there have been financial challenges for the school’s students, their families and the school has acted, according to the release. Wubah spoke in favor of the Nellie Bly proposal saying it will help students with their education.

“At Millersville, we have decreased the total cost of attendance over the past three years, which is bucking the trend in higher education,” Wubah said. “The Nellie Bly proposal will help meet our commitment to providing students an exceptional and affordable education.”

The Nellie Bly proposal is designed to remove barriers for students to affordable education, while also stabilizing the state’s workforce for the future, the release stated. This is due to a requirement that mandates graduates stay in Pennsylvania to work and live or repay the tuition through an interest free loan.

Daniel Greenstein, a chancellor for PASSHE, said state-owned universities provide opportunities for middle- and low-income students with a quality education. He said Wolf’s proposal will help many people.

“This proposal to provide direct aid to students – combined with PASSHE’s efforts to freeze tuition and transform the system – will help more students afford to pursue their dream of a higher education,” Greenstein said. “That will further the State Systems commitment to providing a pipeline of graduates to close Pennsylvania’s talent gap, so employers have the well-educated people they need to succeed in the commonwealth.”

State Rep. Jordan Harris introduced legislation April 6 that would create the Nellie Bly Scholarship Program, according to the release.

“Far too many of our students are coming out of college saddled with a millstone around their neck in the form of crippling college debt,” Harris said. “When students leave college in a strong financial situation they can start a family, buy a home, and save for retirement.”