Issue Overview
In Pennsylvania, barriers within state law prevent incarcerated individuals from accessing state financial aid for higher education. Under current law, any individual who is incarcerated is deemed to have unsatisfactory character, and therefore disallowed access to Pennsylvania State Aid. This exclusion not only limits opportunities for personal growth and skill development but also perpetuates systemic inequalities, particularly affecting communities with historically higher rates of incarceration. Without access to state financial aid, institutions struggle to sustainably operate higher education in prison programs, further limiting opportunities for incarcerated Pennsylvanians.
Legislative Meetings
Addressing these systemic issues requires a multifaceted approach, including legislative efforts to amend eligibility criteria and advocate for equal access to educational resources. As part of our public education efforts, we are in the process of scheduling meetings with state legislators, tentatively targeted for June. Members interested in participating in these discussions can indicate their interest by signing up using the form below.
Please note that signing up does not commit you to any actions, but provides an opportunity to express interest and offer feedback, thoughts, and ideas.
Legislative Meeting Sign-Up
Policy Committee
If you are interested in our public education efforts and want to be more involved in policy strategies and discussions, we invite you to join our upcoming policy committee meetings. All members are welcome to participate and share their insights. The next meeting will take place on Thursday, May 23, at 8:00 AM EST via Zoom. To receive a calendar invitation, please contact Alex Maco at alex.maco@villanova.edu.
