Penn State has decided to spread the wealth across the student body's leaders.

The administration recently decided to revamp its policy for distributing stipends -- next semester, the university will distribute monetary stipends that will benefit a larger number of student group leaders.

Part of the university's decision includes implementing an application that each group leader will be required to complete.

Each semester, a group of students, faculty and members of the financial aid department will choose group leaders who will be awarded a stipend.

That decision will be based on the information provided in their application which is new to the process of allocating this money.

Instead of the leaders of choice groups automatically being granted the funds year after year, all student leaders will have the ability to apply and prove they demonstrate their commitment to their specific organization.

The current process provides stipends for the student leaders from the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), University Park Allocation Committee (UPAC), Graduate Student Association (GSA), Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG) and the four greek councils.

The currently allocated 12.5 stipends, worth the amount of a year's in-state tuition, will be converted into about 50 $1,000 stipends and given each semester, instead of annually.

Under the new policy, the university can more accurately gauge which students need to be compensated based on their need for funds and the amount of time they dedicate to their organization.

The need for stipends is derived from the idea that many student leaders are too busy with their respective group commitments to hold an outside job.

These students, pressed for time and money, are rewarded with a stipend to cover their expenses.

The new process will allow leaders of organizations that aren't predominately recognized to garner funds that will promote work within their group and relieve the pressure of finding an outside source of income. The administration is making an effort to show that the university does not favor leaders of specific groups.

And while students originally had no say in the distribution of stipends, it is refreshing to know that they too are being consulted.

Despite the $30,000 decrease in funds allotted to a small number of student leaders, the recognition of leaders who often fall under the radar, but still aid in the development of the university, shows that the administration has a commitment to a student-centered community.