College Affordability and Transparency Act
(PA ACT 69)
On July 17, 2024, Pennsylvania enacted new legislation aimed at increasing financial transparency in higher education. The College Affordability and Transparency Act (Act 69 of 2024) require colleges and universities to provide students with more comprehensive financial information. Additionally, the law establishes mandatory financial aid exit counseling for all students completing their final term.
Student Fee Transparency
(Section 2004-H)
Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) are required to post online all mandatory fees in advance of the start of the academic term for which the fee will be charged and included on a tuition bill. The posting must include the purpose of the fee and a description of how it will be used.
| Requirement | Information / Link |
| Publish online all mandatory fees before the start of each academic term in which those fees will be charged and included on a tuition bill. Publish online the total amount of mandatory fees collected from previous academic year along with a detailed description of how each fee was used. | Section 1 Section 2 |
Section 1: Tuition & Mandatory Fees
Tuition and Fee Information (Undergraduate, Graduate, International, Adult):
- Official Cedar Crest College Tuition & Fees Overview
- Undergraduate Tuition & Fees breakdown (traditional students)
- Graduate Program Tuition
- Adult Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
- International Student Cost Details
Tuition & Fees Table
| Category / Student Type | Tuition ($) | Fees ($) | Total Direct Costs ($) | |
| Traditional Undergraduate (Full‑Time) | [ADD] | [ADD] | [ADD] | |
| Traditional Part‑Time (per credit) | [ADD] | [ADD] | [ADD] | |
| Adult Undergraduate (per credit) | [ADD] | [ADD] | [ADD] | |
| Graduate (per credit / program) | [ADD] | [ADD] | [ADD] | |
| International Undergraduate | [ADD] | [ADD] | [ADD] |
Section 2: Student Fees Breakdown
Mandatory and Optional Fees (Examples — update amounts based on official Cedar Crest list):
| Fee Category | Fee Name | Amount ($) | Description / Purpose |
| Mandatory Fees | Activity Fee | $215 (FT) / $110 (PT) per semester | Student activities and programming |
| Mandatory Fees | Technology Fee | $125 (FT) / $75 (PT) per semester | Supports campus tech resources |
| Mandatory Fees | Resident Communications | $200 per semester | Campus communications services |
| Orientation Fees | New Student Orientation | $150 (FT) / $100 (PT) | Orientation program costs |
| Other Fees | Graduation Fee | $180-*** | Graduation services |
| Other Fees | Enrollment Deposit | $200 – $500 | Deposit for new admits |
Higher Education Cost Transparency
(Section 2005-H)
In order for students to make fully informed decisions when selecting an institution of higher education (IHE), IHEs must provide prospective students with extensive cost and financial aid information as part of the admission or financial aid offer process.
| Requirement | Information / Link |
| Provide comprehensive information about costs and financial aid with prospective students during the admissions or financial aid offer process. | Financial Aid Programs & Disclosures Tuition & Fees Cost of Attendance Types of Aid: Financial Aid Programs; Scholarships; STAR |
| Tuition for first year students, a list of both mandatory and optional fees, detailed room and meal plan options, and estimated costs for books and supplies. | Tuition & Fees |
| Provide an estimate of financial aid options (including scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment) indicating which types require repayment. | Scholarships STAR Scholarship Grants Student Loans |
| Student employment options. | Student Employment |
| The net cost of attendance (total costs minus scholarships and grants) along with an estimate of the overall cost for future years. | Estimate my Costs Cost of Attendance |
| Provide details on whether financial aid is renewable each year, along with the requirements students must meet to maintain eligibility in future years. | Grants and Scholarships Student Loans Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) PA State Grant |
| Offer a record of tuition rates from the previous academic year, along with projected tuition and fee estimates for each remaining year needed to complete the student’s major. | Historical & Estimated Future Costs |
Exit Counseling
(Section 2006-H)
Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) must provide financial aid exit counseling to all students at the end of their final academic term, unless a student elects not to participate. Federal Student Aid (FSA) Federal Loan Exit Counseling does not replace this requirement. Counseling may be in-person or online, and IHEs may partner with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency or a similar entity to fulfill this requirement.
| Requirement | Information / Link |
| Provide a list of all available federal and state programs that may help with loan payments, reductions, or forgiveness—along with related websites and contact details when available | Payments Reductions Forgiveness |
| Share all available student loan repayment options known to the IHE, including a link to an online repayment calculator, if available. | Repayment Options Student Loan Simulator |
| Include information on when a student’s loan repayment begins, along with guidance on options for deferring or postponing repayment. | Beginning & Delaying Repayments |
| If a student withdraws, they must still receive the same information. If counseling isn’t possible, the information must be mailed to their last known address. | To schedule virtual or in-person exit counseling, please contact to set up an appointment. |