Pennsylvania College of Technology and Lycoming College are extending a tuition-exchange pilot program that may benefit full-time employees at both city institutions – as well as their dependent children and spouses/partners.
The pilot program has supported employee recruitment and retention at both institutions; the extension is expected to perpetuate those efforts. Program eligibility will be offered to full-time employees – or dependent children or spouses/partners – as determined by each institution. A memorandum of understanding, signed this month by the presidents of both colleges, authorizes a longer-standing tuition-exchange program to continue the piloted effort, which has run since 2019-20. The new agreement takes effect with the 2023-24 academic year.
The program is open to undergraduate students seeking a first certificate, associate degree or bachelor’s degree at Penn College, or a first bachelor’s degree at Lycoming College. Up to three students at each college may be enrolled per academic year. Selection is made by the individual institutions, and all eligibility requirements within the employee’s home institution tuition policy will apply.
“The tuition-exchange program has been a boon to recruitment and retention, offering an increased tuition benefit for employees to provide for their children’s education and for students to attain an education they might not have been able to otherwise,” said Penn College President Michael J. Reed. “The program also reinforces the bonds we already share with our crosstown higher-education partner including cross-registration, expanded access to our Community Arts Center and a variety of co-sponsored community events. We are pleased to formally extend this mutually beneficial initiative.”
“During the first three years of this new program, employees of both PCT and Lycoming College have benefited from this additional tuition exchange option and we are very pleased to extend the program,” said Lycoming College President Kent C. Trachte. “The positive response from employees and prospective employees has been gratifying. Even more, we are pleased to continue programs and initiatives that demonstrate the ways in which PCT and Lycoming College have developed a collaborative partnership with transformative benefits for our employees.”
In addition to tuition exchange, Penn College and Lycoming College partner for cross registration, which allows students to pursue courses – or activities – beyond those offered at their own institution.
With cross-registration through Lycoming College, Penn College students may learn a foreign language or explore philosophy, religion, music or theater. Similarly, Lycoming College students can engage in hands-on, lab-intensive courses – everything from culinary and collision repair to automated manufacturing, building construction, and landscape/horticulture.
Lycoming College has also partnered with Penn College since 2016 for expanded access to the Community Arts Center – a wholly owned subsidiary of Penn College – to present performing arts, academic and community outreach events like band and choral performances, recitals, musicals and music galas, guest speakers, film series, and more.