Harrisburg, PA – Today, Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver announced that Keystone College in Lackawanna County and Central Penn College in Cumberland County now offer education benefits to Commonwealth employees at no cost to taxpayers. This move builds on the progress that Governor Josh Shapiro and his Administration have made over the last three years to strengthen the workforce across state agencies by creating post-secondary education and professional development opportunities for Commonwealth employees and their families.
“Our state government is stronger when Commonwealth employees have opportunities to grow and learn in their careers. Supporting professional development and higher education is one of the most important investments we can make,” said Secretary Weaver. “By expanding education support, we can offer cost effective and competitive benefits that help us to attract talented workers. We are thankful to Keystone College and Central Penn College for extending these new benefits to our workers.”
Keystone College now offers a 10 percent discount on more than 45 different associate’s, bachelor’s, graduate, and accelerated certification programs to Commonwealth employees and dependents, both online and in-person at its campus near Scranton.
“Keystone College is committed to making quality education accessible and affordable,” said John F. Pullo, Sr., President of Keystone. “By providing these benefits, we can contribute directly to the professional development of the Commonwealth’s employees, strengthen the workforce, and enhance access to career opportunities. We are excited to join with the Commonwealth on this important initiative.”
Central Penn College now provides academic credit to Commonwealth employees who have successfully completed certain training programs through the Commonwealth. Graduates of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, Department of Corrections Basic Training, and Capitol Police Training Academy can receive credit for courses in the college’s Criminal Justice program. Commonwealth employees who completed Department of Revenue Sales and Use Tax Basic and Advanced training are eligible for credit in the college’s Accounting program.
In February 2025, Central Penn College previously announced that Commonwealth employees can receive a one-time scholarship of $1,000 toward any undergraduate and graduate degrees or certificates offered online or in-person at the college’s campus in Summerdale.
“Education should create opportunities, not obstacles, for working adults who want to take the next step in their careers,” said Linda Fedrizz-Williams, President of Central Penn College. “We're proud to team up with the Pennsylvania Office of Administration to support the dedicated professionals who serve our Commonwealth. Whether they're looking to advance in their current roles, build new skills or earn a degree, Central Penn College offers the flexibility, support, and career-focused education to help them reach their goals.”
In addition to Keystone College and Central Penn College, the Commonwealth currently offers the following higher education benefits:
Tuition Assistance
- Elizabethtown College offers a 15 percent discount on all undergraduate and graduate programs for Commonwealth employees and their dependents.
- Harrisburg University of Science and Technology offers a 25 percent discount on tuition for on-campus graduate and certificate programs for Commonwealth employees, a 10 percent discount off the tuition rate or training fee for on-campus graduate degree or certificate programs for dependents of Commonwealth employees, and a 10 percent discount for undergraduate or graduate online degree programs for both.
- Holy Family University offers a 25 percent tuition discount and waived application fees for Commonwealth employees and their spouses.
- Lebanon Valley College offers a 15 percent discount on tuition for Commonwealth employees and dependents on select graduate degree and certificate programs at the college’s campus in Annville, Lebanon County, online, or through a hybrid format.
- Penn State Harrisburg offers a 15 percent discount on tuition for all graduate programs at the university’s campus in Middletown, Dauphin County, and online for Commonwealth employees and their dependents.
- Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) Global Online offers a 20 percent discount on tuition for their online undergraduate, master’s and certificate degree programs to eligible Commonwealth employees.
- Russell Sage College offers a 10 percent discount on tuition for designated online graduate degree programs for Commonwealth employees and their dependents.
- Shippensburg University grants full-time Commonwealth employees who have gained relevant professional experience through their public service with graduate credits toward a Master of Public Administration.
- University of Pennsylvania offers a 25 percent discount on tuition for its Master of Public Administration and Executive Master of Public Administration programs for Commonwealth employees.
- York College of Pennsylvania offers a 15 percent tuition discount for the College's graduate and professional programs for Commonwealth employees, and a $6,000 per academic year tuition discount on four-year degree programs for dependents of Commonwealth employees.
Student Loans
- The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) offers an interest rate discount of 0.25 percent for Commonwealth employees who are a borrower or co-signer on new PA Forward loans.
- Commonwealth employees may qualify for loan forgiveness through the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, or PSLF.
Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has focused on finding new ways to attract and develop highly qualified and dedicated public servants to address the needs of Pennsylvanians. The Governor’s first executive order, signed on his first day in office, implemented skills-based hiring to provide additional pathways to Commonwealth employment without requiring a college degree.
Through his 2024 executive order, the Governor also established the Hire, Improve, Recruit, and Empower (HIRE) Committee to expand opportunities for Pennsylvanians seeking a career in public service, continue to build a more competitive Commonwealth workforce, and make state government the best place to work in the Commonwealth. Since then, the Commonwealth has expanded its internship, fellowship, and apprenticeship opportunities; welcomed the largest-ever cohort of interns in Commonwealth history in 2026; expanded on-site child care at the Capitol Complex to support employees and their families; reduced the time it takes a to fill vacancies; been recognized twice as one of the top employers in the state; and been recognized twice as a top destination for high-quality internships.
To learn more about working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, visit Employment.pa.gov to view and apply to current job openings, receive notifications about new vacancies in their field, and see all the Commonwealth benefits available to employees.
# # #