Keystone Today

Gov. Tom Wolf recently met with members of the Millersville University community to discuss his proposal for a new scholarship program that would help thousands of Pennsylvania college students receive a college education.

The $200 million plan, called the Nellie Bly proposal, would be funded federally by the American Rescue Plan Act as well as through the Race Horse Development Trust Fund, a recent release from the governor's office said. 

"When it comes to pursuing a higher education, skyrocketing costs over the last decade have put that dream out of reach for too many families," Wolf said. "Pennsylvanians are being priced out of a brighter future. When our brightest and best Pennsylvanians can't pursue a higher education because it's unaffordable, that means we're doing something wrong."

The plan would provide for tuition and other costs necessary to attend college, with a focus on students pursuing health care, education and public service because those are the careers with high needs as the pandemic wains.

Students who take part must live and work in Pennsylvania the same time they have the scholarship. 

State Rep. Jordan Harris supports the plan and has brought forth the Nellie Bly Scholarship Program in legislation.

"Far too many of our students are coming out of college saddled with a millstone around their neck in the form of crippling college debt," Harris said. "When students leave college in a strong financial situation they can start a family, buy a home and save for retirement. The Nellie Bly Scholarship Program will strengthen Pennsylvania's students, our workforce and our economy as a whole."

The scholarship program would provide scholarships for in-state students who attend either community college or a PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) institution. 

"Pennsylvania's state-owned universities provide life-changing opportunities for middle- and low-income students with a quality education for in-depend jobs," PASSHE Chancellor Daniel Greenstein said in the release. "This proposal to provide direct aid to students—combined with PASSHE's efforts to freeze tuition and transform the system—will help more students afford to pursue their dream of a higher education. That will further the State System's commitment to providing a pipeline of graduates to close Pennsylvania's talent gap, so employers have the well-educated people they need to succeed in the commonwealth."

Over the past several years, students and their families have faced financial challenges when it comes to education costs; Dr. Daniel A. Wubah, Millersville University president, said in the release. He noted that the university has responded by making ways to control costs so education can be affordable and accessible. If approved, the proposal will help even further.

"At Millersville, we have decreased the total cost of attendance over the past three years, which is bucking the trend in higher education," he said. "The Nellie Bly proposal will help meet our commitment to providing students an exceptional and affordable education."