Penn State ranks behind the University of Pittsburgh in per-student funding… behind! And even worse, WE ARE last in the state.
So, University leaders are taking action by requesting an increase to Penn State’s general education support funding, which is used to provide an in-state tuition rate that saves 43,000 Pennsylvania families an average of $13,000 a year.
Currently, Penn State gets $242.1 million from the state for educational expenses, which comes out to be $5,600 per student. This per-student number, well below the national average, comes out to be $2,600 and $3,400 less than its peer institutions in Temple University ($8,275) and the University of Pittsburgh ($9,049), respectively.
As Pennsylvania’s only land grant university, the Penn State community deserves more funding and support. Penn State’s full state appropriations request is $469.5 million for 2023-24, which is $125.5 million more than 2022-23.
Of that total, $357.3 million is for General Support funding, which covers core teaching costs in Penn State’s educational budget, allowing the University to offer an in-state tuition rate that directly impacts thousands of Pennsylvania students and their families. These dollars also enable Penn State to invest in the quality of its academic programs so it can attract the state’s top students and prepare them for successful careers in Pennsylvania.
This request for more funding is exactly why Capital Day is more important than ever.
What is Capital Day On Campus?
Capital Day, put together by Advocate Penn State, is a day where students can get together to advocate for the Penn State community to Pennsylvanian legislators. In the past, Capital Day was hosted at the capital of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, allowing students to interact with legislators.
This year, due to circumstances with the Pennsylvania legislative calendar, students were not able to go to Harrisburg. Instead, Advocate Penn State will hold the annual advocacy event at Penn State campuses across the commonwealth to engage the campus community.
Capital Day On Campus is a chance to come together as a Penn State community and demonstrate your pride to elected officials. You get the chance to talk with fellow Advocates and students and send emails to elected officials to share how important this funding is to you as a student. There will also be free pizza and an ice cream cart at the steps, accompanied by a rally at 3 p.m.
When and Where is Capital Day?
Capital Day will be at the HUB “Musical” steps on April 14, 2023, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
How Can I Participate in Capital Day?
No matter where you live, all Nittany Lions can advocate for a better Penn State.
Whether you have only 5 minutes or an entire hour, you can stop by the musical stairs to send emails to elected officials. Students will advocate directly to their elected officials through an email writing campaign. Emails from in-state students go directly to your Representative and Senator and out-of-state students will send their emails directly to Governor Shapiro.
But if you cannot make it to the event on April 14, no worries! You can become an advocate by either filling out the advocate form to join Advocate Penn State’s mission of showing Penn State pride and the value of Penn State to its students, families and communities.
*This is a promoted post for Capital Day On Campus
