For the parents of the old "Best and worst PASSHE school?" thread.

Does anyone know how long it takes to get a financial information package once accepted? My daughter was accepted on 10/24 and we received the initial acceptance envelope. But is there another one that comes that details costs, etc?

@dma919 Are you hoping for merit and/or need-based aid? My daughter was accepted in October and didn’t receive her WCU financial aid package until February or March. I don’t know if notification of merit aid comes earlier, as my daughter didn’t receive any. You could call West Chester and ask. I’ve found their financial aid office to be friendly and helpful when I’ve needed to call.

@kidzncatz Thanks! Yes, looking for (hoping for!) merit. I will reach out to admissions and the financial aid office maybe. Just wanted to see when merit notice usually comes by. My first kid going through so it’s all new to me.

The timeline for my son was like this (IUP):

Applied in July
Accepted in September
Merit award letter received at the end of September
Filed FAFSA October
FA award letter received in December

@dma919 are you PA residents?

Have you filed the FAFSA and PA state grant form?

Here is some information from WCU website:

https://catalog.wcupa.edu/general-information/tuition-fees-financial-aid/scholarships-awards/

It says:

It’s unclear whether there are any scholarships that students are considered for automatically, or whether the student has to apply for them all separately.

You might want to reach out to them.

There is a net price calculator that can be helpful for cost estimation as well.

https://www.wcupa.edu/_services/FIN_AID/forms/outofpocketcalculator/default.aspx

@mommdc, that timeline is very helpful. Thank you. Yes, PA residents and we have filed the FAFSA, not the state grant yet (just saw a 3rd notice in my daughter’s email!). But it’s really only merit I was wondering about. She was accepted on October 24th, so I guess it still can come though thinking it’s not likely at this point. Great information, thanks for detailing all that.

The State of OUR System
https://chancellorgreenstein.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-state-of-our-system.html

Bloomsburg University Enters Into Accelerated Law Admissions Program With University of Pittsburgh School of Law

https://www.pahomepage.com/community/bloomsburg-university-enters-into-accelerated-law-admissions-program-with-university-of-pittsburgh-school-of-law/

Sonney, Topper and Schroeder Unveil Legislative Package to Reform and Update PASSHE

http://www.repsonney.com/News/16324/Latest-News/Sonney,-Topper-and-Schroeder-Unveil-Legislative-Package-to-Reform-and-Update-PASSHE-

A poster in another thread took a few jabs at the Passhe system. While very much imperfect and flawed…the data shows that there are excellent opportunities for students.

Take a look at the actual data rather than hearsay…

3 comparables:

Bloomsburg University
Average Cost: $18,796
Grad Rate: 64%
1st year average salary range: $19,800 - $66,500
ACT Range : 19 - 24

Penn State Altoona
Average Cost: $23,927
Graduation Rate: 68%
1st year average salary range: $19,200 - $67,800
ACT Range: 21-26

University of Pittsburgh Bradford
Average Cost: $18,432
Graduation Rate: 50%
1st year average salary range: $24,800 - $63,100
ACT Range: 20-24

Lets add a few privates:

Susquehanna University
Average Cost: $ 25,492
Graduation Rate: 74%
1st year average salary range: $19,700 - $56,000
ACT/SAT - unavailable

Lycoming College
Average cost: $19,019
Graduation Rate: 63%
1st year average salary range: $26,500 - $39,000
ACT Range: 21-25

Facts are available:

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

And of course I couldn’t stop there…to the naysayers!

Wow…PASSHE Grads have made some significant contributions thru the years!!!

Some PASSHE points of pride:
http://www.passhe.edu/FactCenter/Pages/Pride.aspx

If you or your kids happen to use Youtube today…thank IUP!
https://www.iup.edu/admissions/undergraduate/academics/findyoursuccess/more-stories/the-youtube-guy/

Or if you enjoyed the 1992 Olympics Dream Team…Coached by Bloomsburg grad…
Chuck Daly
https://buhuskies.com/news/2019/6/4/general-nba-coaching-legend-chuck-daly-52-to-be-inducted-into-pennsylvania-sports-hall-of-fame.aspx

Those that have a love affair with Penn State Football can thank Kutztown for giving James Franklin an opportunity…
https://onwardstate.com/2014/01/11/james-franklin-from-kutztown-to-happy-valley/

The head of Lockheed Martai was a Slippery Rock grad…no way???
https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/who-we-are/leadership-governance/robert-stevens.html

Again…there are flaws, nothing is perfect. The history of PASSHE is quite impressive and has a history of providing an opportunity…maybe an opportunity that someone couldn’t get somewhere else…

When people criticize PASSHE it is usually because the schools are not affordable compared to most other states. PSU is the highest priced flagship university in the country. PA students always rank high (top 3) for most student debt.
I for one don’t see PSU Altoona at close to 24k a year as an excellent opportunity.
Sure, there are examples of success at every college, but we do not have the solid and affordable choices they so many other states have for higher education. Hopefully this is changing.

There are other states that have more affordable public education, like Florida, Georgia, Ohio, NYS, but there are also others, like IL.

PASSHE schools fulfill an important role, affordable education for a large amount of people, not everyone but they are less expensive than state related without merit, or most private schools with merit, but not enough need based aid.

We ran net price calculators, and some private schools came close to PASSHE cost, but only with two students in college, not one.

My S got some merit from his PASSHE school, he got a state grant, and he take his loans.

We help with the rest.

Living off campus with roommates after the first year can help save money, cooking instead of meal plan can too.

If a student can commute, the cost of $14,000 tuition/fees can be covered with state grant, Pell Grant and student loan at PASSHE, and PSU and Pitt branch.

Lots of students can get 4 year degrees at these options.

With a combined enrollment of about 107,000 students, the State System is the largest provider of higher education in Pennsylvania, and is among the largest university systems in the United States. The vast majority of students reside in the Commonwealth, and will stay here after graduation.

http://www.passhe.edu/FactCenter/Pages/Student.aspx

@bester1

That is part of the problem. The number of 18 year olds in PA and other northeast states will fall significantly for the next decade or so at least.

Yes…it is a good point and a piece of the challenge.

https://www.iup.edu/news-item.aspx?id=282000

Governor Wolf Urges Legislature to Tackle Gun Violence, Student Debt, Toxic Schools
https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/governor-wolf-urges-legislature-to-tackle-gun-violence-student-debt-toxic-schools/

"Higher Education
Governor Wolf recognizes that too many Pennsylvanians are unable to attend institutions of higher education in our commonwealth without taking on significant debt.

Governor Wolf is creating a new $200 million scholarship program through the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) that will help more Pennsylvanians earn a degree with fewer loans, while encouraging educated young people to build their lives in Pennsylvania.
Governor Wolf is also proposing funding to support PASSHE’s education redesign that will make our state school system competitive and modern.
Governor Wolf is also investing $60 million with PHEAA for increases in grants for Pennsylvania students."
Today at 12:59 pm

KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY OFFERING $2 MILLION IN NEW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FALL 2020
https://www.kutztown.edu/news-and-media/news-releases/february-2020/kutztown-university-offering-2-million-in-new-student-scholarships-for-fall-2020.html

PA.Gov.Tom Wolf takes program on the road…

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/pa-gov-tom-wolf-takes-college-scholarship-program-on-the-road.html