PRINTER'S NO. 2807
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2389
Session of
2022
INTRODUCED BY ROZZI, SCHLOSSBERG, MADDEN, HILL-EVANS, KINSEY,
SANCHEZ, GUZMAN, FREEMAN, HARKINS, GUENST, HOHENSTEIN,
DELLOSO, N. NELSON, WEBSTER AND BROOKS, MARCH 8, 2022
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 8, 2022
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 PA Teach Scholarship
Program; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Higher Education
Assistance Agency and the State System of Higher Education;
and making an appropriation.
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 XX-L
PA TEACH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Section 2001-L. Purpose.
The purpose of this article is to help ensure an excellent
education within the public schools of this Commonwealth by
addressing the lack of teachers that has jeopardized the
provision of the constitutionally required thorough and
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efficient system of public education afforded to all children in
this Commonwealth.
Section 2002-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:
"Academic year." A complete school year commencing on or
after August 1 of the calendar year.
"Agency." The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance
Agency.
"Cost of attendance." The direct and indirect costs relating
to attendance at an institution. The term includes tuition and
fees, room and board or living expenses, books, supplies,
transportation, loan fees, the documented cost of a personal
computer and other school-related miscellaneous expenses,
allowance for child care or other dependent care, costs related
to a disability, eligible study-abroad programs, costs related
to student teaching and any other costs approved by the agency.
"Eligible student." An individual who meets the eligibility
criteria specified in section 2004-L.
"Program." The PA Teach Scholarship Program established
under section 2003-L.
"State system." The State System of Higher Education
established under Article XX-A.
Section 2003-L. PA Teach Scholarship Program.
(a) Establishment.--The PA Teach Scholarship Program is
established within the agency.
(b) Scholarship grant.--The agency shall provide a
scholarship grant to an eligible student who is a resident of
this Commonwealth. The scholarship grant shall be applied
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against the cost of attendance. The scholarship grant shall be
for the amount provided under section 2004-L.
(c) Other funding.--Prior to receiving a scholarship grant
under this article, a student must also apply for Federal Pell
Grants and State grants available to cover the cost of
attendance, as determined by the agency.
(d) Order of financial aid.--An institution of the State
system shall apply a scholarship grant received by an eligible
student with other financial aid in the following order:
(1) Federal Pell Grant or any successor program.
(2) Pennsylvania State grants.
(3) Institutional aid.
(4) Private scholarships.
(5) Scholarship grants awarded under section 2004-L.
(6) Federal work study.
(7) Federal student loans.
Section 2004-L. Scholarship grant.
(a) Eligibility.--To receive a scholarship grant, a student
must meet the following requirements:
(1) Attend a university within the State system.
(2) Be enrolled in an approved course of study in
education or another program that is designed to prepare the
student to become a teacher in an elementary or secondary
school.
(3) Maintain domicile in this Commonwealth during the
term of the scholarship grant.
(4) Enter into a written agreement with the agency in a
form and manner that the agency shall determine to do all of
the following:
(i) Commence employment in this Commonwealth within
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one year after completion of the approved course of
study.
(ii) Work within this Commonwealth for a period of
one year for each academic year that the eligible student
received a scholarship grant under this article, unless
the agency determines that there are extenuating
circumstances.
(iii) Reimburse the Commonwealth all amounts
received under this article if the eligible student does
not comply with subparagraphs (i) and (ii).
(b) Student teaching.--An eligible student who is engaged in
student teaching shall be eligible to receive a scholarship
grant.
(c) Amount.--The agency may award a scholarship grant in an
amount up to $8,000 per academic year to an eligible student.
(d) Renewal.--The scholarship grant may be renewed for up to
four academic years.
(e) Application.--An eligible student shall apply to the
agency for a scholarship grant as prescribed by the agency.
(f) Termination.--If a student who receives a scholarship
grant terminates enrollment at the university during the
academic year or prior to completion of the approved course of
study, the university shall notify the agency in writing. The
university shall return all unused portions of the scholarship
grant. The returned portion shall be used to fund other
scholarship grants under this article.
(g) Transfer.--A scholarship grant is only transferrable if
the student transfers to another university within the State
system.
(h) Limitations.--A scholarship grant awarded under the
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program shall be made from funds appropriated for that purpose.
First priority for the awarding of grants shall be given to
renewal applicants. Thereafter, a grant shall be awarded on a
first-come, first-served basis.
Section 2005-L. Miscellaneous provisions.
(a) Enforcement.--The agency shall enforce repayment of all
scholarship grants for a student who does not comply with the
provisions of this article. The agency may use all lawful
collection procedures and may use private collection agencies.
(b) Scholarship grant not taxable income.--Scholarship
grants received by an eligible student shall not be considered
taxable income for purposes of Article III of the act of March
4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971.
(c) Regulations.--The agency shall adopt regulations,
guidelines and procedures necessary to carry out this article.
(d) Report.--The agency shall annually publish on the
agency's publicly accessible Internet website a report on the
program. The report shall include information regarding the
operation of the program, including:
(1) The number of students receiving an award at each
university within the State system.
(2) Demographic and income statistics of students
receiving an award.
(3) Outcome measures, including:
(i) The number of students receiving an award who go
on to teach in schools in this Commonwealth.
(ii) The number of students receiving an award who
stay in this Commonwealth after graduation.
(iii) Any other measures determined by the agency or
requested by the State system.
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(e) Appropriation.--The sum of $50,000,000 is appropriated
from the General Fund to the agency for the current fiscal year
for the program. The General Assembly shall appropriate funds
for the program for the following fiscal years.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 90 days.
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