A bill currently pending in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives would provide state funds to fifth-year undergraduate students.

Currently, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) only provides funds for students until their fourth year unless their program is an approved five-year program, said Bob Snyder, Penn State's director of staff training and administrative services in the Office of Student Aid.

He said during the 2002-03 school year, 19,878 students in Penn State's system received assistance from PHEAA in the forms of grants and loans.

"From a school or student perspective, it's good," Snyder said. "It would help many students who look for ways to help finance college education."

State Rep. Lynn Herman, R-Centre, said students are staying in college longer but are not getting appropriate financial assistance.

"In speaking with students at Penn State and other schools across the state, I have found that due to a variety of reasons that are beyond most college students' control, students need an additional semester or year of financial assistance to obtain final credits and get a diploma," he said.

Herman said Penn State graduated only 44 percent of its students in four years in 1987, and that number dropped to 30 percent in 1998. He said the percentage continues to decline.

"With dire economic constraints, there is not money for new programs, but this is worth a try," he said. "The concept is sound, and it has received tremendous support from the House Committee on Education."

The bill includes $11 million in additional funding for PHEAA that Herman hopes to include in state budget negotiations.

"We don't want funds taken away from current students, so we need to add appropriations," Herman said.

According to the proposed law, the years of study do not have to be consecutive, but if a student completes an undergraduate degree during a shorter time period, he or she may not be eligible for the remaining funds. " ... Satisfactory academic standing, making normal progress toward completion of the course of study and continued eligibility ... " determine if students will qualify for awards.

Howie Wu (freshman-political science and economics), who receives student loans from PHEAA, said he thought the state could use higher education money in a different way.

"It's great that state government realizes the importance of education and that they're willing to support it on students' terms," he said. "However, if the people in Harrisburg really wanted to help us out, they'd provide more funding to Penn State to keep tuition low for all students instead of providing more grants for a few."

Keith New, PHEAA vice president for communications, said the organization is aware of the bill but cannot take a stance on it.

"We don't get involved in policy making," he said. "But we administer programs from the General Assembly at their discretion."

About 285,000 students request funds from PHEAA each year, New said. Only 150,000 actually receive grants.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said Penn State students are staying in school longer.

"The average time for graduating at Penn State is about 4.5 years," he said. "The national time is a bit longer than that."

Herman cited a "multitude of reasons" for the increase in graduation time.

"Students transfer between majors or from another college, double major, participate in work study or volunteer, come from the armed services or just want a career change," he said.

Over 80 state representatives and senators have co-signed the bill.