Southern Tier Students Get Tuition Discounts at PA School

First-year and transfer students from six New York counties may qualify for a tuition discount and a renewable merit scholarship of up to $2,000.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Scholarships

Southern Tier Students Get Tuition Discounts at PA School

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Should public colleges offer discounted tuition to out-of-state students?

Commonwealth University-Mansfield continues to offer tuition discounts and merit scholarships to students from Southern Tier counties in New York. First-year and transfer students from Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins counties receive a tuition discount, and eligible students may receive a renewable merit scholarship of up to $2,000.

Why it matters

For families in New York's Southern Tier, the discounted tuition and renewable merit award can lower the cost of attending a Pennsylvania public university within driving distance of home. The program is tied to residence in specific counties, so students outside those areas would not qualify.

Eligible Southern Tier students may receive a renewable merit scholarship of up to $2,000, based on academic achievement. Eligibility for the tuition discount and the scholarship depends on residence in Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga or Tompkins County, N.Y.

The players

Commonwealth University-Mansfield

A public university in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, offering the tuition discount and renewable merit scholarship to eligible Southern Tier students.

The details

The discounted tuition applies to first-year and transfer students who live in the listed Southern Tier counties. Students who qualify for the merit scholarship receive it based on academic achievement, and because it is renewable, it may continue in later terms if the award conditions are maintained. Prospective students should confirm current award amounts and renewal requirements directly with the university's admissions or financial-aid office.

The tuition discount and merit scholarship are described as currently offered, with no specific start or end date given in the source.

Education Landscape

Public universities across Pennsylvania's state system often market lower tuition to nearby out-of-state residents to fill seats and broaden their applicant pools. This offer sits within that regional recruitment pattern for students weighing in-state and border-region options.

If you live in one of the listed Southern Tier counties and are considering a first-year or transfer application, ask the university's financial-aid office how the discount and renewable merit scholarship are applied and what academic standards keep them active. Confirm current amounts and deadlines before comparing this offer with other schools' aid packages.

The takeaway

Regional tuition discounts can meaningfully lower the cost of a public university for students near the border. Before you apply, ask the financial-aid office for the exact discount amount, the renewal requirements for the merit scholarship, and whether the award is stacked with other aid you may qualify for.