Jun. 26, 2017
HARRISBURG – Legislation drafted by Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) to better position prospective college students for success after graduation was passed unanimously by the House today. The bill would make readily available an online resource to help them choose a college or university that best meets their financial needs and prepares them for in-demand careers.
“Before our children commit at least four years of their lives and considerable sums of money, they deserve to know what they’ll pay for their degrees and how likely it is that they’ll be able to find a job in their area of study,” Cutler said. “Unfortunately, too many young adults are getting these answers when it’s already affecting their ability to buy a home, get married and have kids of their own.”
The bill would require the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to provide direct links to the College Navigator Website, operated by the United States Department of Education, with a description of the uses and features of the website. In the same location on PDE’s website, a direct link to the High Priority Occupations public website of the state Department of Labor and Industry must be present, with a description of what high-priority occupations are and how they are identified.
It would also dictate that the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) provide a link on its website to the information offered by PDE and require school entities to annually provide this information to students in grades nine through 12.
Should the United States Department of Education discontinue the College Navigator Website, PDE would be required to create a comparison tool on its website to allow users to quickly and easily examine many of the factors that are important to parents and students, such as net tuition and fees, graduation and retention rates, percentage of students receiving federal aid and average borrowing amounts.
Community colleges, universities within the State System of Higher Education, Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, Lincoln University, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and any other institution of higher learning that receives state funding would be required to participate. The legislation would also include nonprofit colleges or universities incorporated in Pennsylvania.
The bill now advances to Senate for consideration.
Representative Bryan Cutler
100th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
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