Gov. Shapiro proposes funding increases for Temple, Penn State and Pitt. But a performance-based formula has yet to be developed.

Three of the state-related universities would get their first state funding increase in several years under a budget proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

But it would be distributed based on yet-to-be-developed, performance-based funding criteria. Under the proposal, Pennsylvania State University, Temple University, and the University of Pittsburgh would receive $60 million allotted through a formula to be developed by a new council that began meeting late last year.

The increase represents just under a 10% boost in funding for three of the so-called state-related schools, which currently receive about $610 million.

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In recent years, state funding for Temple, Pitt, and Penn State has hit snags in the legislature, which has raised questions about the performance of the partially public schools, which use their state funding to offer tuition discounts to Pennsylvania students. In addition to concerns about transparency, some Republican legislators have raised issues about fetal-tissue research and gender-affirming care for minors at the universities.

The new council’s criteria will likely address cost, transparency, graduation rates, and career outcomes.

In his budget address, Shapiro touted a formula that would recognize “meeting goals like graduating students with in-demand degrees and skills, graduating first-generation college students, incentivizing universities when their graduates stay and work in Pennsylvania.”

Temple University president John A. Fry in a statement noted that Temple has representation on the council.

“This model has been successful in other states, and we know it can have a similarly positive impact here in Pennsylvania,” Fry said. “As the Council moves toward finalizing recommendations for the model ahead of the April 30 deadline, we will continue to advocate on behalf of Temple and work to ensure that each institution’s distinct mission is considered within the performance-based funding framework, which will support the Commonwealth’s strategic priorities for economic and workforce development.”

Criteria created by the council is subject to approval by the General Assembly and the governor.

Penn State president Neeli Bendapudi also signaled her support for performance-based funding in a statement.

“Penn State has been proactive in our support of this new, additional funding model and has already made strides toward some of the proposed potential metrics through our annual accountability report,” she said. “Success in similar models throughout the country has come when universities and their states work together on shared goals that support positive student outcomes and workforce and economic development.”

Lincoln University, the fourth state-related university, is not subject to the criteria. Lincoln, a historically Black college, would receive a $1 million funding increase under the proposal.

The budget proposal also includes a $40.4 million increase, or about 6.5%, for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which oversees 10 state universities, including West Chester and Cheyney. That would allow the system to freeze tuition for students at $7,716 for the seventh consecutive year.

PASSHE leaders said the governor’s budget proposal will help the state’s universities and students.

“We are most appreciative of Gov. Shapiro’s strong support of PASSHE and for proposing to invest in our students,” said Cynthia Shapira, chair of PASSHE’s board of governors. “The state system has kept tuition frozen since 2018 thanks to recent funding increases, and the governor’s proposal would help us to freeze tuition again for next fall.”

In addition, the state’s community colleges would get a $13 million increase, nearly 4.7%, under the proposal.