Each year, thousands of Penn State students rely on state-funded financial aid. This semester, many students are still waiting for state financial aid that has yet to arrive. With Pennsylvania’s 2024–25 budget still stuck in limbo months after its deadline, students who depend on state-funded grants and scholarships are feeling the strain.
Budget Impasse
Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate has now stretched past 100 days due to disagreements between Governor Josh Shapiro and the Republican-led legislature over spending priorities. Budget delays in Pennsylvania aren’t new. The state has struggled repeatedly in recent years to pass its budget before the July 1 deadline.
While portions of the budget have been approved, funding for education remains unresolved. The lack of progress has left thousands of in-state students without the financial support they were promised. Universities across Pennsylvania, including Penn State, Temple and Pitt, are still waiting for the budget to be finalized.
Impact on Penn State Students
The delay in Harrisburg’s budget negotiations has left funding for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and other education programs frozen. Until lawmakers reach an agreement, the agency cannot disburse need-based state grants, such as the Pennsylvania State Grant Program, which provides funding to over 100,000 college students statewide, according to PennLive.
The impact goes beyond just tuition. Many students rely on state grants for housing, textbooks, supplies and everyday expenses while also juggling tuition payments. These awards can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars for students who need financial help. Already halfway through the semester, thousands of Penn State students and other students in Pennsylvania are facing the implications of the budget delay.
Signs That a Deal Might Be Near
In recent weeks, Gov. Shapiro and key legislative figures from both chambers have met in person to negotiate. This marks the first in-person meeting to include Shapiro and the majority and minority leaders from the House and Senate since the last meeting on June. 30. While none of the proposals have the votes in both chambers yet, multiple draft budgets are a promising sign that the long delay might come to an end soon.
As the budget stalemate continues in Harrisburg, thousands of students remain waiting for financial aid with no indication of when it will come through. The longer the delay continues, the more it disrupts college financing and planning.
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