Thursday’s announcement by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) comes as colleges across the nation struggle with enrollment declines that have created increased competition for students, and streamlining admissions may help them stay ahead of the curve.
“This direct admissions program at three universities will provide students and families with a more streamlined way to apply for college, saving students time so they can focus on choosing the college that is the best fit for them,” PASSHE Interim Chancellor Chris Fiorentino said in a news release.
“The program is another example of PASSHE’s dedication to serving students of all backgrounds and increasing access to higher education in order to ease worker shortages and strengthen the state’s economy,” Fiorentino said.
PASSHE encompasses 14 state-funded campuses, some of which were recently consolidated into umbrella universities. The new admissions system is being offered by Shippensburg University, Kutztown University, and Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest), which includes the California, Clarion, and Edinboro campuses.
The schools are now using Niche, an online service where prospective students can upload their high school information and test scores, and receive admissions offers from universities, including possible financial aid packages. Students will still be able to apply to Shippensburg, Kutztown, and PennWest via traditional application if they choose.
Niche says over 50 million students and families use its service each year; the site is free for students, and colleges pay to advertise and solicit enrollment.
While select schools have continued to see growth, American colleges in general have seen declines in enrollment since the recession of 2008, and this has been particularly acute in Pennsylvania given the commonwealth’s overall drop in population.
PASSHE enrollment was 82,688 students in the 2023-24 school year, according to system data, compared to a peak of 119,513 in 2010-11. Pennsylvania’s direct financial support for its public colleges is also comparatively low, and tuition comparatively high, relative to other states.
©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
