Gov. Rendell proposes boost to college aid

Thousands of incoming college students whose families earn less than $100,000 a year would be eligible for up to $7,600 in new financial aid at community colleges and State System universities under a sweeping ...

[truedog]

The rules for a student to receive needed financial aid are tied directly to the parents' income(s. There is virtually NO allowance for a student who is 100% self supporting and doesn't fit the FAFSA eligibility guidelines, to receive state sponsored financial aid.
The ANTIQUATED FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY RULES need to be revised to account for responsible, INDEPENDENT young adults who can do well in college but don't have access to needed financial aid due to seriously flawed eligibility rules.

[Steve in York]

After reading the details of this plan it appears that the plan excludes a few schools such as Penn State, Temple, & UPITT. Putting this in perspective lets ask Mr Rendell this question. Why would you exclude those young people who have worked the hardest to make the grades required to be excepted into PA's Best schools. This appears to be just one more situation where those who work the hardest are excluded, and those who have underachieved are rewarded.

[Ralph]

Steve:

Pitt, Temple, Penn State, and Lincoln are state RELATED schools. They are NOT public schools. They simply are guaranteed a state handout each year. The state has no control over how the money is spent, how they spend their entire budget, what they teach, etc. Furthermore, these schools are interested in being research institutions rather than educational universities. They spend more money on research than they do teaching their students. That is not what the state money should be going toward.

State System schools are state owned and operated just like state parks. They have 100% control over how money is spent - especially state money. State money can only be spent on instructional costs at State System schools while Penn State, Temple, or Pitt can turn around and use it to renovate their basketball arenas if they so choose.