College to Return Portion of Students' 2007-08 Tuition Bills

Pennsylvania College of Technology did not expect − or budget for − an increase in its 2007-08 state appropriation, but when legislators delivered an additional $250,000, the college's administration and board of directors vowed to return the funds to students who enroll for the Spring 2008 semester.

On Thursday, the board approved a plan to distribute the additional $250,000 to returning students by reducing their tuition bills for the Spring 2008 semester by $3 per credit hour. For example, a student enrolled for a typical 15-credit load in the spring semester will receive $45 in tuition savings.

"We resolved to return any unanticipated state-appropriation increase the college received for 2007-08 to our students − to help them with their education expenses," said Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour. "Today, we are making good on that promise. It is simply the right thing to do."

The governor's initial proposal for the 2007-08 state budget included no increase in Penn College's $12,659,000 state appropriation, and the college administration built its annual operating budget based on that projection. But the final version of the budget that was passed by legislators and signed by the governor did include a $250,000 increase for the college, which receives its funds through the budget of The Pennsylvania State University. Penn College is a special mission affiliate of Penn State.

Gilmour said the college is indebted to area legislators for securing the additional funds: Sen. Roger A. Madigan (a Penn College board member), Rep. Matthew E. Baker (recently appointed to the Penn College board), Rep. Steven W. Cappelli and Rep. Garth D. Everett.