HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education on Monday announced that 22 community college students who were named to the 2024 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team will receive free tuition at state-owned universities.
PASSHE’s 10 public universities and Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges partner to offer the program, helping more than 800 students over two decades.
“Each of these remarkable students has achieved academic excellence, and PASSHE universities are proud to provide them with free tuition as they continue their college education,” said PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein. “The State System universities coordinate with community colleges so students can seamlessly transfer to a state-owned university. It’s part of our commitment to providing a high-quality education at the lowest possible cost so students can focus on preparing for their futures.”
PASSHE universities enroll the most community college transfer students in Pennsylvania and accept 95% of their transfer credits. Community college students with associate degrees are guaranteed admission as juniors.
More than 59,000 community college students have transferred to a State System university since 2010, PASSHE said.
Students transferring from community colleges to PASSHE universities to complete their education strengthen Pennsylvania’s workforce. Transfer students typically enter majors that prepare them for the most in-demand jobs.
More than 60% of transfer students enroll in business, healthcare, education, psychology, biology or computer science. Many of those industries have worker shortages.
PASSHE and community colleges also have reverse transfer agreements. These policies enable students who transfer to a State System university before completing an associate degree to use their university credits toward an associate degree from the community college where they started, as well as toward their bachelor’s degree.
The presidents of all State System universities and community colleges in Pennsylvania last year further strengthened their collaboration to help students achieve their educational goals, reduce student costs and bolster the workforce.
Pennsylvania’s community colleges annually select All-Pennsylvania Academic Team members. Many of the students receiving free tuition at PASSHE universities are pursuing careers in fields with worker shortages.
For example:
- Bailey Bevington, transferring to Indiana University of Pennsylvania, intends to become an adolescent therapist.
- Daniel Hamilton, transferring to Slippery Rock University, will study resort recreation and hospitality management. His goal is to own a restaurant.
- Haily Hottenstein, transferring to East Stroudsburg University, was a fine arts major and Honors Scholar.
- Yessenia Rivera, transferring to Kutztown University, plans to earn a master’s degree in social work.
- Zuzanna Solarz, transferring to West Chester University, will pursue a bachelor’s degree in international business. Zuzanna, born in a small village in central Poland, came to the United States in 2020 and works full time to support herself.
