PASSHE Seeks 5.5% State Funding Increase to Stabilize In-State Tuition
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is requesting a 5.5% increase in state funding to help keep in-state tuition levels stable and affordable for students.
Harrisburg Lancaster Lebanon York, PA, October 8, 2026 —
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) has formally requested a 5.5% increase in state funding for the upcoming fiscal period. The primary objective behind this funding request is to ensure that in-state tuition rates remain stable and affordable for students across the state’s public universities.
PASSHE, which oversees 14 public universities in Pennsylvania, relies on a combination of state appropriations, tuition revenue, and other sources to fund its operations and student services. Officials from the system have indicated that a sustained level of state support is critical for maintaining the affordability of higher education, particularly for Pennsylvania residents.
The requested 5.5% increase is intended to offset rising operational costs and allow the system to continue offering competitive tuition rates without placing additional financial burdens on students and their families. The specific dollar amount of the requested increase was not provided in the summary, nor were details regarding the timeline for the state’s decision-making process on funding allocations.
In-state tuition has long been a cornerstone of the PASSHE system’s mission to provide accessible and quality higher education opportunities. Without adequate state funding, universities within the system may face difficult decisions regarding tuition adjustments to balance their budgets.
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education comprises universities such as Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, West Chester, and York. The system educates more than 90,000 students and is a significant contributor to the state’s workforce development.
Further details regarding the budget proposal and the specific allocation of any potential increase in state funding are expected to be released as the state legislative session progresses. The outcome of this funding request will have direct implications for the tuition structure and financial planning of PASSHE institutions for the foreseeable future.
Story summarized from the original created by Jared Weaver,Kaylee Lindenmuth on www.abc27.com, see more information here.
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