Currently, Pennsylvania regulations require that those who have lived in the Commonwealth for at least 12 months are eligible for in-state tuition; however, there are exceptions, such as a student’s visa status, that prevent them from receiving in-state tuition. Out-of-state tuition at Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools can be more than double in-state tuition and, this year, out-of-state students on average paid an additional $20,000 at most of our state related-universities compared to in-state students. Therefore, our exclusionary laws and the cost of out-of-state tuition can make it difficult for the estimated 4,000 undocumented students who graduate from Pennsylvania high schools each year to exercise their basic right to education, even if they have lived here their whole life.
 
Our legislation, entitled the In-State Tuition Fairness Act, would grant any person who has been a resident of Pennsylvania for at least 12 months in-state tuition, regardless of immigration status. Pennsylvania is currently facing a severe workforce crisis, and by 2032 it is estimated that there will be 218,000 open jobs in the Commonwealth that require postsecondary skills. If we graduate 48,000 more workers by 2032, our economy can experience a nearly $20 billion boost. Therefore, by removing these exceptions and joining the 24 states and the District of Colombia which offer undocumented residents in-state tuition at their public colleges and universities, we can graduate more students in Pennsylvania, benefiting both these individuals and our economy.
 
Please join us in co-sponsoring this legislation to ensure that more Pennsylvania residents can afford to go to college in the Commonwealth.