PA Rep. Looks To Mitigate ‘Heavy Burden’ Of Student Loans With New Bill

Legislation is being introduced to create a low-interest student loan program and combat the “heavy burden” placed on students and families when it comes to higher education.

The Proposed Legislation would establish a Low-Interest Student Loan Program that would provide affordable, fixed-rate loans to Pennsylvania students attending approved institutions of higher education. Borrowers would need to complete a personal finance course, ensuring they are equipped to manage debt responsibly while building long-term financial stability.

In 2025, 1,866,000 student borrowers were living in Pennsylvania, with over half of them being under the age of 35. Furthermore, $67.4 billion in student loan debt belonged to state residents, with the average debt amount being $36,120.

The largest component of Pennsylvania student debt was noted to be private student loans, debt that students borrow from banks and private lenders. Private debt, which is nonfederal, carries fewer consumer protections than federal loans.