Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Seeks To Bridge College Gap for Philly Students
A new initiative by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) aims to ease transportation barriers faced by prospective college students from Philadelphia. This fall, the organization is launching day trips to seven universities within a three-hour radius of Philadelphia, offering aspiring students a chance to explore campus life and get a feel for which institution suits them best.
The program is designed to increase access to higher education for students from low-income backgrounds, who often face significant transportation challenges in pursuing their college dreams. This year, 945 students affiliated with three college access organizations will participate in the program, which includes activities such as dining hall experiences, academic explorations, and conversations with current students.
The foundation is seeking philanthropic support to expand the program, aiming to visit up to 1,890 high school juniors each spring semester and another 945 seniors each fall semester. The PASSHE Foundation has received $30,000 in initial funding from private donors and state universities.
By facilitating campus visits, PASSHE hopes to empower students to make informed decisions about their future. "Campus visits play a critical role in helping every student make an informed decision," said Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino. "This partnership will help students learn about their college options and whether a campus is the right fit for them."
The program's success hinges on its ability to gauge student interest, participation levels, and overall impact. PASSHE officials believe that there is a pressing need to support college visits in rural and urban areas alike. By evaluating this initiative, the organization aims to secure additional resources to expand the program, ultimately benefiting more students from Philadelphia and beyond.
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education consists of 10 universities, including Cheyney University and West Chester University, both of which have seen increases in enrollment for the first time in over a decade. However, officials anticipate enrollment challenges in the years ahead due to reduced birth rates following the Great Recession.
A new initiative by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) aims to ease transportation barriers faced by prospective college students from Philadelphia. This fall, the organization is launching day trips to seven universities within a three-hour radius of Philadelphia, offering aspiring students a chance to explore campus life and get a feel for which institution suits them best.
The program is designed to increase access to higher education for students from low-income backgrounds, who often face significant transportation challenges in pursuing their college dreams. This year, 945 students affiliated with three college access organizations will participate in the program, which includes activities such as dining hall experiences, academic explorations, and conversations with current students.
The foundation is seeking philanthropic support to expand the program, aiming to visit up to 1,890 high school juniors each spring semester and another 945 seniors each fall semester. The PASSHE Foundation has received $30,000 in initial funding from private donors and state universities.
By facilitating campus visits, PASSHE hopes to empower students to make informed decisions about their future. "Campus visits play a critical role in helping every student make an informed decision," said Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino. "This partnership will help students learn about their college options and whether a campus is the right fit for them."
The program's success hinges on its ability to gauge student interest, participation levels, and overall impact. PASSHE officials believe that there is a pressing need to support college visits in rural and urban areas alike. By evaluating this initiative, the organization aims to secure additional resources to expand the program, ultimately benefiting more students from Philadelphia and beyond.
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education consists of 10 universities, including Cheyney University and West Chester University, both of which have seen increases in enrollment for the first time in over a decade. However, officials anticipate enrollment challenges in the years ahead due to reduced birth rates following the Great Recession.
I think this is a super cool idea, it's about time we make college more accessible to everyone 
. These day trips will give Philly students a chance to see different campuses and get a feel for which one they'd thrive on. It's also great that the program's specifically targeting low-income students who often face transportation barriers 
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. And it's awesome that the foundation is already getting some funding from private donors and state universities 
. I'd love to see them reach their goal of visiting more high school juniors and seniors each semester 
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they're literally bridging the gap for Philly students who need transportation to visit colleges! it's like, such a game-changer for low-income kids who don't have the means to travel far. i mean, campus visits are super important in making those college decisions, and now more students can do it with ease 
The gap between college options and Philly students can be super vast, especially with transportation costs being a major obstacle. Day trips to universities within a 3-hour radius will not only help students explore campus life but also give them a taste of what each institution has to offer. It's all about empowering them to make informed decisions about their future! 
! It makes total sense to offer day trips to universities near Philadelphia, especially since transportation can be a major barrier for low-income students 
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! With $30,000 in initial funding, it's clear that there's still some room for growth 
. I mean, we all know how hard it can be to navigate the college application process, but for low-income students, it can feel even more daunting 
. So kudos to PASSHE for stepping up and making a real difference in their community 
!
it's amazing that they're getting $30k in funding from private donors and state universities 
the fact that they're planning to visit 1,890 high school juniors each spring semester and another 945 seniors each fall semester is huge 
i hope this program helps so many students make informed decisions about their future 
. I'm totally down for more funding so they can hit 1,890 high school juniors next semester - this is exactly what we need more of! 
Like, on one hand, it's awesome that they're trying to bridge the college gap for Philly students, especially those from low-income backgrounds who face huge transportation challenges. It makes sense to give them a chance to explore campus life and see which school is right for them.
... on the other hand, I'm not convinced it's gonna make a massive difference in the grand scheme of things? I mean, are they just band-aiding the problem or tackling the root cause? And what about all the logistics involved? Are they prepared for the expenses and resources needed to make this program a success?
and i'm still trying to get back into the swing of things lol... so like this new program in pennsylvania sounds super cool! they're doing day trips to 7 universities near philly for students from low-income backgrounds who can't afford to travel far. that's so fair 
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. but anyway, back to this day trip thing... do you think it would be weird for a high school student to take a whole day off just to visit colleges? 
just heard that student loan debt in US is now over 14 trillion dollars 
and it's expected to rise even more by 2030. Like what are we gonna do? 