Pennsylvania’s state senate has returned to Harrisburg for a few fall session days. So far they’ve passed five individual bills while the state budget remains unfinished… and 71 days late. 

There are rumblings that lawmakers could be called to Harrisburg in the next two weeks to pass a budget; but a final deal has yet to be announced.

"We continue to have back and forth conversations among, you know, House Democrats and Senate Republicans,” said Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, an Erie Democrat who is part of Democratic House leadership,

Bizzarro says nothing is set in stone; but recent conversations indicate skill game regulation is off the budget talk's table. Adult use cannabis has long been discarded in negotiations this year. Both policies could have generated new revenue for the state.

“The big ticket items that, you know, we've been fighting over for for a while—“ Bizzarro said, “It doesn't appear that any of them are going to come to fruition at this time. But again, you know, this is Harrisburg. Anything can happen at the at the drop of a hat."

A late state budget means funding for multiple programs have been frozen since June 30, including state grants for college students.

Pennsylvania's Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) cannot distribute grants, many of which are based on a student’s income level.

“The institutions cover. But that can only last so long before it's a cash issue at an institution,” said Tom Foley, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP). The group has over 80 members of independent and non profit institutions.

The group published an economic impact report this summer, noting that 46% of PHEAA recipients attend an institution in their group.

PHEAA grants go straight to the schools. With most schools covering the difference, many scholarship recipients have not had to adjust payment plans at this time.

“Our college students have enough to deal with, and I think the colleges in general do a very good job of of reassuring them should they be concerned,” Foley said.

The hold on PHEAA grants also impacts state schools. The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education says it is covering the financial gaps from the paused scholarship money.

Public higher education has had more direct consequences of the budget impasse. Over $1 billion gets sent to the 10 schools in the State School System (which includes institutions like PennWest and Commonwealth Universities), 17 community colleges, and four state related schools.

The state system gets around 35% of its budget from state funds. For the first time in 7 years this summer, the system raised tuition rates. The increase was $139 a semester. The system’s board hopes to reverse the raise depending on what passes in the state budget.