Pennsylvania HB 780: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Early Childhood Educator Tuition Assistance Program and the Early Childhood Educator Tuition Assistance Fund.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 801
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 780
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY SHUSTERMAN, HARKINS, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, INGLIS,
PROBST, HILL-EVANS, CERRATO, HANBIDGE, BOROWSKI, PIELLI,
KHAN, SANCHEZ, DONAHUE, SCHLOSSBERG, D. WILLIAMS, CIRESI,
GREEN, DEASY, MAYES, HOHENSTEIN, KENYATTA, GIRAL, RIVERA,
MADDEN, GUENST AND ISAACSON, MARCH 3, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 3, 2025
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," establishing the Early Childhood
Educator Tuition Assistance Program and the Early Childhood
Educator Tuition Assistance Fund.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
article to read:
ARTICLE XIX-I
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Section 1901-I. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Agency." The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance
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Agency.
"Applicant." An individual enrolled or accepted for
enrollment at a community college in an early childhood program.
"Community college." A public college or technical institute
which is established and operated under Article XIX-A and all
branch campuses of a community college or technical institute.
"Cost of attendance." The cost for a student to attend a
community college, including tuition and fees, room and board,
books, supplies and other expenses, which is used to calculate
financial aid of an eligible student under 20 U.S.C. Ch. 28
Subch. IV (relating to student assistance).
"Fund." The Early Childhood Educator Tuition Assistance Fund
established under section 1903-I(a).
"Program." The Early Childhood Educator Tuition Assistance
Program established under section 1902-I(a).
Section 1902-I. Early Childhood Educator Tuition Assistance
Program.
(a) Establishment and purpose.--The Early Childhood Educator
Tuition Assistance Program is established within the agency to
provide grants in the form of tuition assistance to individuals
seeking an associate degree or certification in early childhood
education.
(b) Eligibility.--An applicant for a grant under the program
shall:
(1) Report a household income that is not more than 400%
of the Federal poverty level.
(2) Be enrolled or accepted to be enrolled in a minimum
of six credit hours per semester, or its equivalent, in a
credit-bearing or certification-granting early childhood
education program.
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(3) Have completed and submitted applications for any
other Federal or State student financial aid program for
which the applicant may be eligible.
(4) Hold employment in an early childhood education
program approved by the agency for a minimum of 25 hours per
week.
(5) If reapplying for a grant under the program, submit
official transcripts demonstrating that the applicant:
(i) Meets standards for satisfactory academic
progress and maintains the required grade point average
established in 20 U.S.C. Ch. 28 Subch. IV (relating to
student assistance) .
(ii) Is making reasonable progress to complete the
applicant's specific program of study.
(iii) Has not exceeded 150% of the required credits
for the relevant certificate or degree.
(6) Enter into a written agreement with the agency to
remain employed by an early childhood education program
located in this Commonwealth for not less than two years
following the completion of the last semester that the grant
was received.
(c) Awards.--Each grant under the program:
(1) Shall be in the amount equal to the cost of
attendance minus the sum of any Federal grants, State grants
or other scholarships or grants provided to the applicant.
(2) Shall be disbursed in two equal payments, the first
of which shall occur upon confirmation by the community
college of the applicant's enrollment and the second of which
shall occur at the end of the academic term for which the
student receives the grant.
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(3) May not be granted in full if the applicant has
withdrawn from the program of study.
Section 1903-I. Early Childhood Educator Tuition Assistance
Fund.
(a) Establishment and purpose.--The Early Childhood Educator
Tuition Assistance Fund is established in the State Treasury to
make appropriations to the agency to carry out the provisions of
this article.
(b) Appropriations.--The fund shall consist of an annual
appropriation or transfer from the General Fund, as