PRINTER'S NO. 2244
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1812
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY RABB, SMITH-WADE-EL, SANCHEZ, PROBST, MADDEN,
HILL-EVANS, PARKER, BURGOS, KHAN, DALEY AND KRAJEWSKI,
NOVEMBER 2, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, NOVEMBER 2, 2023
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," establishing the Tuition Waiver for
Native American Students Program.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
article to read:
ARTICLE XXVI-L
TUITION WAIVER FOR NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS
Section 2601-L. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Applicant." An eligible student who applies for a tuition
waiver.
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"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Eligible student." A student who is attending or has been
accepted to attend an institution of higher education and who is
an active member of an eligible tribe.
"Eligible tribe." A Native American tribe that was
originally located on the land that is now this Commonwealth or
that had members who were enrolled at the Carlisle Industrial
Indian School as determined by the department.
"Institution of higher education." An institution that is
part of the State System of Higher Education under Article XX-A.
"Program." The Tuition Waiver for Native American Students
Program established by this article.
Section 2602-L. Tuition Waiver for Native American Students
Program.
(a) General rule.--The Tuition Waiver for Native American
Students Program is established in the department. Beginning
with the first fall semester following the effective date of
this section, an institution of higher education shall waive
tuition for an eligible student who qualifies for admission.
(b) Eligibility.--To qualify for a tuition waiver, an
applicant must make an application to an institution of higher
education and meet all of the following criteria:
(1) Be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at
the institution of higher education.
(2) Be an active member of one of the eligible tribes
determined by the department.
(c) Application.--An application must be made to the
institution of higher education on or before the deadline for
submittal of the application as established by the institution
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of higher education to receive a tuition waiver. The application
shall contain all of the information required under subsection
(b) and demonstrate that the applicant satisfies the required
criteria.
Section 2603-L. Department responsibilities.
The department shall:
(1) Develop a list of eligible tribes within 30 days of
the effective date of this section.
(2) Publish the list of eligible tribes on its publicly
accessible Internet website within 30 days of the development
of the list.
Section 2604-L. Outreach.
(a) Duties of department.--The department shall:
(1) By January 1, 2024, and each January 1 thereafter,
prepare and provide information for dissemination by the
department and institutions of higher education that:
(i) Describes the availability of the program.
(ii) Explains how to participate in the program.
(2) (Reserved).
(b) Duties of institutions of higher education.--An
institution of higher education shall:
(1) Provide technical assistance to individuals who are
eligible under section 2602-L(b) in completing admissions
applications and financial aid applications.
(2) Post the information prepared under subsection (a)
(1) on the institution of higher education's publicly
accessible Internet website.
(3) To improve retention, report to the department by
June 30, 2025, and each June 30 thereafter, all of the
following:
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(i) The number of students who apply for the
program.
(ii) The number of students participating in the
program.
(iii) The retention rates of students participating
in the program.
(iv) The number of students who are participating in
the program and have unmet financial need.
(v) Recommendations on how to improve outreach to
students who are or are potentially eligible for the
program.
(vi) Recommendations on ways in which to improve the
delivery of services to students who are eligible under
section 2602-L(b).
(vii) Impediments to retaining students who are
eligible under section 2602-L(b).
(c) Limitations.--The department may not require any other
information to be provided by an institution of higher
education, except as provided under subsection (b)(3).
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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