Higher Education in Pennsylvania Faces Declining Enrollment, Federal Uncertainty

(The Center Square) - Appropriations hearings began with Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency taking the spotlight. The committee is undertaking consideration of a 6.5% requested increase in funding for the upcoming budget, a figure they say would enable them to keep student costs down. Tuition has been frozen at its current rate since 2018. PASSHE Chancellor Dr. Chris Fiorentino says that the current tuition represents an actual reduction in cost due to the 28% inflation of the Consumer Price Index over the same period. He noted that the stable tuition has helped students be better able to plan their finances, yet enrollment numbers continue to drop.