In-state Pitt students to receive grants from Pa. covid-19 relief money

The University of Pittsburgh will use all of its state covid-19 relief money to provide grants for its in-state students.

About 20,000 students will benefit from the $7.5 million one-time state allocation granted to Pitt by Gov. Tom Wolf’s office, according to the university.

Wolf quietly granted $40 million in pandemic relief money to Pitt and Pennsylvania’s three other state-related universities after legislators did not increase these schools’ funding in the 2022-23 state budget.

On paper, each in-state Pitt student is expected to receive about $350. The final dollar amount will be determined after the end of the drop/add period Sept. 9, the university said.

The money will be distributed to undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled at least half time at the university’s main campus in Oakland and four regional campuses in Greensburg, Johnstown, Titusville and Bradford.

Eligible students will receive a refund directly to their bank accounts.

“This is a powerful benefit … for Pitt students and families throughout Pennsylvania,” said David Brown, vice chancellor of government relations and advocacy.

The university’s fall semester classes begin Monday.

Pitt students can expect to see their tuition costs go up during the 2022-23 academic year. In July, the university announced it would increase tuition by 3.5% for in-state undergrads at the Oakland campus, by 2% for in-state and out-of-state regional campus students, and by 5.5% for Oakland out-of-staters.

That means most Oakland in-staters will pay about $335 more in tuition costs each semester, while regional campus students will pay an additional $135.

In addition, on-campus housing and dining costs also are set to rise.

Houses prices will increase by 4.6%-4.9% in Oakland and by 5%-6% at the regional campuses. The university will up dining costs by 4% at the main campus and by 4.3%-5% regionally.