In-state students at Penn State may be spared a tuition increase in the upcoming school year.
Part of the state budget that’s on the table is a 3 percent increase in funding for Penn State and the other state-related universities. The university says it will keep tuition flat if it gets a 3 percent increase in funding from the state.
Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman says he expects the Senate to take up the budget Friday. The state House approved in Wednesday.
“We try to keep it as affordable as possible," Corman said. "And, Penn State making this commitment that they believe they will not have any tuition increase for in-state students is great news.”
Corman attributed the prospect of a state budget getting passed on time and increasing funding for education to the economy.
“It’s a good budget. It has a modest increase in spending, and no new taxes whatsoever and historic new investments in education at all levels," he said. "So, that’s a good year.”
Penn State President Eric Barron said if the 3 percent funding increase is signed into law, he will recommend university trustees approve a budget with no tuition increase for Pennsylvania students at all campuses. Trustees are slated to take up the budget in July.
