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Pa. Pays Tuition of High School Students Taking College Courses
SHARON, Pa. -- Four students from Farrell High School are taking classes at Penn State University's Shenango Campus free-of charge, thanks in part to a program that lets businesses direct a portion of their state taxes to specific K-12 educational initiatives.Kathleen Paul, director of continuing education at Penn State Shenango, reports that the four students are taking one introductory course each for credit. Christian Garner and another student are enrolled in a freshman psychology class, Ashlyn Sparrow is in an English class and Allyson Smoot is taking a course on human development and family studies. The parents of the unidentified student had not returned a release form allowing the high school to name him, Paul explained.Should the local business community take advantage of a 90% tax credit offered by the state, these students can take up to three Penn State classes before graduating from Farrell High in 2006.This opportunity was realized through the joint efforts of the Farrell School District's administrative office and Penn State Shenango's "Exceptional Student" program, which offers scholarships that pay for 50% of the tuition that would be charged high school juniors and seniors. Under this program, students can enroll in one class per semester beginning the second semester of their junior years -- up to three semesters, Paul said.The Farrell School District matched that scholarship with funds obtained from businesses, including from the Duferco-Farrell Corp. and Wheatland Tube, as part of the state's Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, Paul said. Businesses can apply to the EITC for tax credits of up to 90% of their contributions to qualifying programs. EITC funds paid the balance of the Farrell students' tuition plus their class fees and textbooks.Both the Farrell School District and Penn State Shenango ask corporations to become part of this effort. With funds received, Penn State Shenango intends to expand the program to students in other public schools in Mercer County. Among the districts expressing interest: Sharon, Greenville, Sharpsville, Neshannock Township, Shenango Township, and Mercer County Career Center.Interested businesses should call Paul at 724-983-2834 or Lynne Powell at the Farrell School District, 724-509-1304."