Pennsylvania universities reject GOP call to freeze tuition

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Four Pennsylvania universities said Wednesday they will follow through with tuition increases despite calls from House Republicans to roll back the price hikes.

The lawmakers, including Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Franklin, the GOP nominee for governor, argue Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Lincoln and Temple are receiving federal funds and do not need to increase tuition.

The universities did not receive a bump in funding in this year’s state budget. Instead, through one-time federal funds, the universities will split about $30 million on top of budget funding.

“From a long-term planning standpoint, it would not be prudent for us to use it as part of our recurring operations,” said Steve Orbanek, a Temple University spokesman.

Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said the funds would be put toward student success.

“This infusion of onetime funds, though, will not eliminate the larger financial pressures the institution is facing,” she said.

Mastriano and House Republican leaders sent letters to the universities in recent days.

“In at least two instances, the state flat-funding appropriations over last year was cited as a cause for the tuition increase,” House Republican leadership said in a statement Wednesday. “Given the recent news about receiving additional funding for the 2022-23 academic year, it would only be prudent to roll back these decisions for all students, but at a minimum, for Pennsylvania residents attending your institutions.”

A Pitt spokesperson said their share will be earmarked for student financial aid and outreach.

Lincoln University President Brenda Allen said in a statement the increase only applies to new students. Lincoln declined to comment on how it will allocate the additional funds.

At Penn State, in-state undergraduate students will see tuition increase by 5 percent at the University Park campus and 2 percent at the Commonwealth Campuses. Non-residents will see a 6 percent tuition increase at University Park and a 3 percent increase at the Commonwealth Campuses. A 5 percent increase will be instituted for Penn State World Campus undergraduates.

Most in-state students paying full tuition at Pitts’ campus will see their tuition rate rise by 3.5 percent. Regional campus tuition rates will rise by 2 percent.

Temple students will see a 3.9 percent increase for 2022–2023 undergraduate and graduate base tuition for both in-state and outof-state students. Lincoln’s tuition will increased by less than 1 percent for the incoming class, according to figures on its website.