AICUP Testimony

On October 19, 2023, Tom Foley, President of AICUP, was asked to testify at a hearing before the PA House of Representatives Education Committee Hearing on Dual Enrollment & College Affordability.  The first part of the hearing focused on dual enrollment. The second part, looked at college affordability. During this part, Foley outlined these topics for consideration: cost drivers, key numbers that define costs and eight cost saving ideas to best tackle this issue.

On September 27, 2023, Tom Foley, President of AICUP, was asked to testify, by the House Republican Policy Committee, on the escalating expenses of higher education and options that will eliminate obstacles to opportunity.  The Chancellor of the SSHE and the Association of PA Community Colleges also testified.  After underlining several key data points to start, Foley then laid outlined 8 areas where our schools are either already saving costs or could use more help from the state to do so. View the video of the hearing with 15 rounds of legislative questions.

On February 24, 2021, Tom Foley, President of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) presented testimony before the PA House Education Committee, outlining the economic impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Pennsylvania's independent, nonprofit colleges and universities. Since the beginning of the pandemic, AICUP schools have lost a combined $851 million, making their 2021-2022 state funding more important than ever.

On June 9, 2020, Tom Foley, President of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) presented testimony before the PA Senate Education Committee, outlining the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Pennsylvania's independent, nonprofit colleges and universities. In just the spring semester of this year, schools lost an estimated $426 million. However, faculty and staff have been working hard to keep students safe, educated, and engaged during these difficult times.

On October 16, 2019, Tom Foley, President of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) gave testimony  to the PA House Democratic Policy Committee regarding student loan debt. In his testimony, he asked lawmakers to fully fund PHEAA's Direct Student Grant Program and PHEAA's Ready to Succeed Scholarship Program to help undergraduates achieve their educational aspirations without taking on the burden of steep financial debt.

On March 26, 2019, Tom Foley, President of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) gave testimony to the PA Joint Democratic Policy Committee regarding college affordability. Students at independent, 4-year nonprofit colleges and universities have graduated with an average debt level of $34,352. It is the goal of AICUP schools to keep student debt as low as possible so the opportunity for a quality education is available to all.