Pennsylvania HB 2308: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in institutions of higher education, establishing the PA WORKS Scholarship Grant Program and the trade career-incentive tax credit.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3041
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2308
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY CUTLER, BENNINGHOFF, PICKETT, FEE, OWLETT, KUZMA,
STAATS, KUTZ, FRITZ, KOZAK, MENTZER AND PASHINSKI,
MARCH 20, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 23, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in institutions of higher education,
establishing the PA WORKS Scholarship Grant Program and the
trade career-incentive tax credit.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Article XX-L of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
amended by adding a subarticle to read:
SUBARTICLE E
PA WORKS SCHOLARSHIP GRANT PROGRAM
Section 2070-L. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this subarticle
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Approved course of study." A program offered by an
institution of higher education that provides instruction in at
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

least one of the following:
(1) Carpentry.
(2) Construction safety.
(3) Construction management.
(4) Electrical construction or maintenance.
(5) Heating, ventilation or air conditioning.
(6) Masonry construction.
(7) Metal fabrication.
(8) Plumbing, water or environmental technology.
(9) Welding or welding technology.
"Business firm." An entity authorized to do business in this
Commonwealth and subject to taxes imposed under Article III, IV,
VI, VII, VIII, IX or XV of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6,
No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971.
"Educational cost." Tuition, mandatory fees, textbooks or
other expenses paid to an institution of higher education and
approved by the agency.
"Grant." A PA WORKS grant awarded under this subarticle.
"Institution of higher education." One of the following:
(1) An institution of higher education that is located
in this Commonwealth and approved by the agency for
enrollment of grant recipients under the Higher Education
Scholarship Law.
(2) An institution of higher education established under
Article XIX-G.
"Program." The Pennsylvania Workforce, Opportunity,
Retention and Knowledge Scholarship Program, referred to as PA
WORKS.
"Student." An individual who is a resident of this
Commonwealth and is admitted or enrolled at an institution of
20260HB2308PN3041 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

higher education.
Section 2071-L. PA WORKS Scholarship Grant Program.
The PA WORKS Scholarship Grant Program is established within
the agency to award grants beginning in the 2026-2027 school
year.
Section 2072-L. Agency duties.
The agency shall:
(1) Administer the program and, in its sole discretion,
award grants to students who submit a completed application
and satisfy the eligibility criteria in paragraph (4). The
agency shall develop an application form that students may
use to apply for a grant. The application of a student under
18 years of age or a student determined to be a dependent
must include the signature of a parent or guardian.
(2) Use money appropriated for the purpose of awarding
grants, except that the agency may use up to 5% of money
appropriated for the purpose of administering, implementing
and servicing costs associated with the program.
(3) Award a grant to a student in an amount of $5,000
per academic year or if the total amount of Federal and State
grants available to the student exceeds the educational cost
as determined by the agency, whichever is less. The agency,
in its discretion, may provide for partial-year awards.
(4) Establish eligibility criteria in order for a
student to receive a grant. The criteria shall, at a minimum,
include that a student must:
(i) Be a resident of this Commonwealth as defined by
the agency.
(ii) Be enrolled in an approved course of study.
(iii) Maintain satisfactory academic progress
20260HB2308PN3041 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

defined by the agency.
(iv) Not have earned a bachelor's degree or the
equivalent.
(v) Enter into a written agreement with the agency
to:
(A) Satisfy all degree requirements and other
requirements under this subarticle.
(B) Reside and commence employment in this
Commonwealth within one year after completion of an
approved course of study culminating in a bachelor's
or associate's degree. The employment must be in an
in-demand occupation, as determined by the agency,
for a period of 36 months for each academic year the
student received a grant, unless the agency
determines that there are extenuating circumstances.
If the agency determines that there are no
extenuating circumstances, residency a