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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 22, 2023 01:56 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Morgan Cephas |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Prohibiting Institutions of Higher Education from Withholding Student Transcripts |
| Student loan debt is a growing national issue for millions of borrowers struggling to pay their loans. More than 45 million student loan borrowers owe debt, because of decades of disinvestment in public higher education that has shifted costs onto students and their families while leaving colleges and universities underfunded. Student loan debt in the United States totals $1.75 trillion, with a borrower owing $28,950 on average. Pennsylvania ranks third in the nation with the highest debt at $39,375 average. In most states, including Pennsylvania, institutions of higher education are permitted to withhold transcripts from borrowers until their debts are paid. Many employers require applicants to submit transcripts, so withholding transcripts may prevent borrowers from gaining employment and paying back their loans. In recent years, several states enacted legislation to prohibit this practice so students can find employment or apply for financial aid or military service. My legislation would prohibit the withholding of transcripts by all Pennsylvania institutions of higher education, by amending Act 14 of 1949 (Public School Code of 1949) to create a new section to prohibit this practice by both public and private institutions. This legislation would also include a $500 fine for each violation. |