Harrisburg, PA – As a part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing the state government workforce and ensuring all Pennsylvanians the opportunity to succeed, the Shapiro Administrationwill offer tuition discounts to Commonwealth employees and their dependents to attend Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU).
“The Shapiro Administration is proud to offer this first-ever tuition discount for both Commonwealth employees and their children, representing an investment in Pennsylvania’s present and future.” said Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver. “The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is one of the largest employers in the state and there is a constant need for workers with the most current knowledge and skills to serve our fellow residents. This program offers a helping hand financially to current employees who want to advance their careers, as well as their children who will one day join the workforce. We appreciate the collaboration with Harrisburg University and other higher education institutions to offer these life-changing opportunities.”
According to a 2019 study by the Federal Reserve of St. Louis, the typical family with at least two generations of college education had more than 2x the income and 7x the wealth of families with no college degree in two generations. It also found that children of college graduates are more likely to get a degree.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to provide this opportunity for Commonwealth employees,” said Harrisburg University President and CEO, Eric Darr, PhD. “STEM education is a powerful tool for personal development and societal growth, with both technical and soft skills that pay off throughout life and enrich our institutions. Think of where we’d be without the world of science to cultivate curiosity, collaboration, flexibility, problem-solving, communication, time management, and resilience.”
“This agreement with the Commonwealth ensures that more Pennsylvania residents can benefit from the teaching and learning on our campuses. Pennsylvania stands on the precipice of becoming a national leader in critical fields and emerging markets, including advanced manufacturing, advanced agriculture, healthcare, and many more. I couldn’t be happier that we’re helping to extend these opportunities to further enrich our region and its governing bodies.”
The HU tuition discount benefit provides:
- A 25 percent Commonwealth employee discount on select on-campus graduate degree programs and certificates.
- A 10 percent discount for dependents of Commonwealth employees on select on-campus graduate degree programs and certificates.
- A 10 percent discount for Commonwealth employees and their dependents on select undergraduate and graduate online degree programs.
Under the Shapiro Administration, OA has added and enhanced employee benefits to make higher education more affordable for Commonwealth employees and their families and currently offers the following education benefits:
Tuition Assistance
- York College of Pennsylvania offers a 15 percent discount on tuition for graduate and professional programs to eligible Commonwealth employees.
- Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) Global Online offers a 20 percent discount on tuition for their online undergraduate, master’s and certificate degree programs to eligible Commonwealth employees.
- Discounted tuition rates available from Arizona Global Campus, Capella University, Chamberlain University, DeVry University, Kean University, Penn Foster, Strayer University, and Walden University.
Student Loans
- The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) offers an interest rate discount of 0.25% for Commonwealth employees who are a borrower or co-signer on new PA Forward loans.
- Commonwealth employees may qualify for loan forgiveness through the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
Scholarships
- Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Scholarship Program provides scholarship opportunities to eligible Commonwealth employees and their dependents to attend a state system university. The program was recently updated to increase the scholarships up to $3,000 for full-time and $1,500 for part-time students each academic year. Previously, the scholarships were up to $2,000 for full-time and $1,000 for part-time students.
The Shapiro Administration is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of the Commonwealth’s workforce and has made it a priority to help employees perform at their best each day. Last month, the Office of Administration announced enhanced medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision benefits for Commonwealth employees to improve workforce recruitment and retention and the overall health of employees and their dependents. Earlier this year, the Office of Administration announced an increase in paid parental leave benefits from six to eight weeks, as well as new work/life benefits to aid in caring for loved ones and connecting to resources for a variety of daily needs. The Commonwealth also offers competitive pay, work-life balance, diverse and inclusive workplaces, and opportunities for advancement. Additionally, Governor Shapiro signed Executive Order 2024-01, creating the Hire, Improve, Recruit, Empower (HIRE) Committee to expand opportunity for Pennsylvanians seeking a career in public service, continue to build a more competitive Commonwealth workforce, and make state government the best place to work in the Commonwealth.
To learn more about working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, visit Employment.pa.gov to view and apply to current job openings, receive notifications about new vacancies in their field, and learn more about the Commonwealth’s benefits for employees.
