Penn College Board Approves Budget, Hears Board Member Updates

The Pennsylvania College of Technology Board of Directors on Thursday, June 25 approved the college’s 2026-27 budget and heard board member updates.

The $185.9 million budget is a decrease of 1.8% over 2025-26.  Tuition for in-state residents will remain at $530 per credit for the fall semester and increase to $539 in the spring, a 1.7% increase over 2025-26.  Fee changes include a $2 increase in the technology fee, to $25 per credit; a $6 increase in the capital fee, to $55 per credit; and a $10 increase in the lab hour fee, to $70 per credit. 

Penn College has not raised tuition in two of the past four years, and fees have not increased in three years.  The increase for 2026-27 is mitigated for many students through additional scholarship assistance from the Penn College Foundation and college. Over the last five years, scholarship awards have risen by more than 110%, to more than $4 million total in the 2025-26 academic year. The Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program was again offered by PHEAA for the 2026-27 academic year, which makes awards of up to $5,000 annually to students who commit to remain and work in Pennsylvania after graduation.  Approximately 440 Penn College students who applied for the 2025-26 Grow PA Grant are benefiting from this award. 

Student housing and Dining Services’ meal plan rates will increase by 3% in 2026-27 in order to keep pace with inflation costs.  

During the meeting, the Board approved the Investment Policy Statements for the college’s 403(b) and 457(b) plans, an action recommended periodically by the college’s plan administrator. 

The Board also approved a $100,000 gift to the City of Williamsport, as well as a $35,000 gift to the Williamsport Area School District. These are strictly gifts in recognition of the college’s beneficial relationships with both the city and school district, consistent with prior years.

President Mike Reed recognized John Young for his 40 years of service to Penn College and its predecessor institutions as he retires from the Board.  Young was chair of Williamsport Area Community College’s Board of Trustees in 1989 and signed the paperwork to affiliate the college with Penn State and become Pennsylvania College of Technology.  Reed also thanked Shannon Massey for her year of service as she transitions off the Board at the end of her term due to a work promotion out of state. Massey was instrumental in bolstering the strong partnership between the college and Lycoming Engines. 

Reed also recognized Dr. Nathaniel Woods, Jr. executive director for student wellbeing and inclusive excellence, for his four years of service to the Penn College community as he departs the college for an opportunity out of state. 

Reed commended General Services for its work around campus and noted numerous construction projects underway this summer, including the college’s building performance center, building construction labs, HVAC and plumbing areas, an engineering design pilot plant, and a patisserie for baking and pastry. The college is hosting numerous summer camps and other activities on campus. The enrollment team is seeing increases in applications and deposits compared to last year, and the college added an eighth orientation session to accommodate an increase in incoming students.  Reed also noted the college is scheduled to host Penn State’s Board of Trustees meeting in July, the first time Penn College was selected to host. The college’s next commencement is scheduled Aug. 8.  

Chair Sen. Gene Yaw shared his gratitude for Young and Massey’s support of the college. Yaw noted he was general counsel for the college and drafted the papers that Young signed to affiliate with Penn State. 

The next regularly scheduled meeting will take place on Aug. 6.