Earlier this month, Rep. Lynn Herman, R-Centre, announced he will reintroduce a bill that would extend state grants to financially eligible fifth-year students.

The General Assembly needs to stop delaying and help Pennsylvania students finance their extra — and often necessary — fifth year.

Current state grants are geared toward students on a four-year graduation track; however, a four-year degree is becoming more the exception than the norm.

Many students have no choice but to remain in college for an extra year. Older, non-traditional students who have families, full-time jobs and other obligations often cannot handle a credit load that would allow them to graduate in four consecutive years.

Some majors, such as engineering, often require a fifth year of school. Students also change majors, forcing them to take an extra semester or two of credits. Rather than making students who cannot afford the extra year remain on an academic track they are unhappy with, more financial aid should be available to help them pay their last year of tuition.

Having a financial obligation to graduate in four years can also deter students from taking advantage of programs that, while delaying their graduation also provide special educational opportunities.

Often, co-ops, internships and study abroad programs force students to stay in school an extra semester. Perhaps they could not take a full load of classes or any at all during their semester away from campus.

However, students should not be discouraged from these , which can be incredible opportunities for them to learn things that they could never find in a textbook or class lecture.

Pennsylvania should promote these programs rather than withhold financial aid based on a student's need to stay in college longer than planned.

By taking away aid, they are deterring students from taking full advantage of their years in college.

Fifth-year students are sometimes labeled "super seniors."

The stigma often associated with being in college an extra year is unfair.

Although some students are in school an extra few semesters because of laziness, too much partying or poor planning, many others have no choice but to stay. They have merely made a choice to prolong their graduation until they are fully prepared to enter the workforce. After all, isn't that the purpose of a complete college education?

For the benefit of these students, the General Assembly needs to pass Herman's proposed legislature and start supporting all its students — even those with a few credits left over.