Penn State President, Eric Barron, issued a response to this year’s delay in the finalization of the Commonwealth’s budget, fundamentally altering the state’s funding in higher institutions, including Penn State.  

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Penn State’s partnership with General Assembly has been helping serve residents in Pennsylvania since 1855. As Pennsylvania’s land-grant university, Penn State has fulfilled their mission for academic excellence and commitment to Commonwealth.

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Penn State’s partnership with General Assembly has formulated an annual state appropriation of approximately $250 million. The state funding allows Penn State to offer more than $570 million in tuition savings to 55,000 Pennsylvania residents.

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President Barron, however, has issued a concern regarding this year’s fiscal budget. Three months after the deadline, the fiscal budget this year has faced a major delay due to legislators in Harrisburg not finalizing the Commonwealth’s budget. As of now, state leaders are addressing solutions to this delay, with the fundamental question in mind; does the state have enough revenue to fund higher institutions like Penn State?

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This also correlates with the issue of in-state tuition rate, jeopardizing the ability to research extension education and health services which impact Pennsylvania citizens.

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As a result, President Barron is reaching out to every Pennsylvania resident in the Penn State community and urging them to contact their state legislator to encourage them to finish the state budget and fund Penn State.

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After 150 years of dedicated partnership with Penn State, General Assembly is placing Penn State education at risk, potentially affecting the cost of in-state tuition.

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A’aryonna Fontes, a fifth year education major, has -- like many other students across the country -- used FAFSA all throughout her years of higher education.

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Fontes, in response to the delay in the passing of the fiscal budget, responded with passion in regard to the light at the end of her college years. “As a college student, it's super important that they pass the fiscal budget for the year because that affects my schooling pretty heavily. If I don't get financial aid, I'm not sure I would be able to attend a school as nice as PSU, even after the scholarships I receive,” Fontes said.

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As well, with Fontes being in the education realm, the yearly fiscal budget heavily impacts the educators in these institutions being affected. She expressed that, “As a future educator the lack of a state budget will affect my salary and it will inevitably affect my students. Every student needs a rich environment to learn in and if schools cannot provide the basics because they don't have the funding, generations will literally suffer at the hands of government.”

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As a current solution to this issue, President Barron highly encourages every current student, parent, alumnus, employee, or supporter to contact their state legislator and ask for their support to help Penn State funding. President Barron has shared a form titled, “Speak Up for Penn State,” which allows the Penn State community to fill out and take them to a sample letter where they can directly contact their legislator.

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“Access to an affordable world-class education is at the heart of our mission, and a key to making Pennsylvania a thriving, economically competitive state,” Barron said. “Since 1855, Penn State University has responsibly served our citizens with the support of our elected officials in Harrisburg. Now more than ever we need to remind them to continue that support.”

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President Barron hopes that by filling out this form, students, parents, alumnus, and the rest of the Penn State community will impact the state legislator’s decision in providing appropriate funding and encourage state legislators to take action in sustaining an affordable and excellent academic experience for all those who are affected.