The state Senate has decided to defer until April its vote on a bill that would allow Pennsylvania families to purchase advance tuition credits.

The Tuition Account Program, sponsored by state Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer, R-Blair, was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday, but deferred by the full Senate yesterday.

The Senate postponed voting due to concerns raised by the Democratic caucus, which supports the bill but wants more time to discuss it, a spokeswoman from Jubelirer's office said. Jubelirer met with Governor Robert P. Casey and the two made an agreement to work together so that all concerns with the bill can be worked out, she said.

Although University Financial Aid Director Robert Evans was out of town yesterday, he previously called the program a legitimate alternative for families who want to plan ahead for their children's college education.

"The University has to offer a variety of alternatives to help students pay for college, and this is one of those alternatives," he said before the bill was introduced to the Senate.

Rep. Lynn B. Herman, R-Centre, said other states such as Michigan and Florida already have these types of programs in place, and Pennsylvania should follow suit.

"I think it's a terrific idea. If the Senate passes (the bill) I will eagerly work toward its passage in the House of Representitives," he said.

With TAP, parents purchase tuition credits at current tuition rates, and the credits are redeemed when a child is ready to attend college. The state invests the money to gain interest, she said.

If the state's investment does not accumulate sufficient funds by the time the child is ready to go to college, a general fund budget operated by the state will make up the difference, she explained, noting that this applies only to community colleges, state-owned and state-related schools, which are required to participate. Credits used toward tuition at a private institution -- for which TAP is optional -- will be supplemented by a reserve account if needed, the spokeswoman said.

The bill was amended while in the Senate, increasing the number of members on TAP's administrative board from four to six, and mandating that these Governor-appointed members be approved by the minority leader of both legislative bodies, she said.