Pennsylvania HB 2072: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Tuition Waiver for Native American Students Program.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2655
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2072
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY RABB, SMITH-WADE-EL, RIVERA, PROBST AND SANCHEZ,
NOVEMBER 25, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, DECEMBER 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 Tuition Waiver for
Native American Students Program.
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 XXVI-M
TUITION WAIVER FOR NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS
Section 2601-M. 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:
"Applicant." An eligible student who applies for a tuition
waiver.
"Department." The Department of Education of the
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Commonwealth.
"Eligible student." A student who is attending or has been
accepted to attend an institution of higher education and who is
an active member of an eligible tribe.
"Eligible tribe." A Native American tribe that was
originally located on the land that is now this Commonwealth or
that had members who were enrolled at the Carlisle Industrial
Indian School as determined by the department.
"Institution of higher education." An institution as defined
in section 2001-A.
"Program." The Tuition Waiver for Native American Students
Program established by this article.
Section 2602-M. Tuition Waiver for Native American Students
Program.
(a) Establishment.--The Tuition Waiver for Native American
Students Program is established in the department. Beginning
with the first fall semester following the effective date of
this section, an institution of higher education shall waive
tuition for an eligible student who qualifies for admission.
(b) Eligibility.--To qualify for a tuition waiver, an
applicant must:
(1) Submit an application to an institution of higher
education.
(2) Be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at
the institution of higher education.
(3) Be an active member of an eligible tribe on the list
published under section 2603-M.
Section 2603-M. List of eligible tribes.
The department shall:
(1) Develop a list of eligible tribes within 30 days of
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the effective date of this section.
(2) Publish the list of eligible tribes on its publicly
accessible Internet website within 30 days of the development
of the list.
Section 2604-M. Outreach.
(a) Duties of department.--The department shall by January
1, 2026, and each January 1 thereafter, prepare and provide
information for dissemination by the department and institutions
of higher education that:
(1) Describes the availability of the program.
(2) Explains how to participate in the program.
(b) Duties of institutions of higher education.--An
institution of higher education shall:
(1) Provide technical assistance to eligible students
under section 2602-M(b) in completing admissions applications
and financial aid applications.
(2) Post the information prepared under subsection (a)
on the institution of higher education's publicly accessible
Internet website.
(3) To improve retention, report to the department by
June 30, 2027, and each June 30 thereafter, all of the
following:
(i) The number of students who apply for the
program.
(ii) The number of eligible students participating
in the program.
(iii) The retention rates of eligible students
participating in the program.
(iv) The number of eligible students who are
participating in the program and have unmet financial
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need.
(v) Recommendations on how to improve outreach to
students who are or are potentially eligible for the
program.
(vi) Recommendations on ways in which to improve the
delivery of services to eligible students under section
2602-M(b).
(vii) Impediments to retaining eligible students
under section 2602-M(b).
(c) Limitations.--The department may not require any other
information to be provided by an institution of higher education
except as provided under subsection (b)(3).
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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