Pennsylvania ranks 48th, or third worst, in the United States at funding colleges, technical schools and universities. So how can someone who wants a higher education afford to get it? My staff and I are happy to help. Here’s some information to get you started. Planning for college If you’re thinking about college and looking for ways to pay for your education, you will want to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA . FAFSA is what determines someone’s eligibility for federal student aid, like federal grants, work-study and loans. It typically takes about 30 minutes to complete the application, which can be done online at www.fafsa.ed.gov , and it’s totally free. You must complete a FAFSA each school year. If you have completed a FAFSA in the past, most of your information will roll-over automatically. You should fill out your FAFSA as soon as possible. You can apply as early as Oct. 1 the year before you start college . The deadline is June 30 the year after for when you are applying. But the sooner you apply, the better to meet your school deadlines and receive aid for the start of the school year. Many states and colleges have earlier deadlines for applying for state and institutional financial aid. You can find your state’s deadline at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa#deadlines . Items you may need in order to complete your FAFSA: Federal Student Aid ID Social Security Read more
Pa. state Rep. Ed Neilson speaks at a rally to prevent individuals with disabilities from being forced to leave day programs and sheltered workshops where they are comfortable. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 6 – The state House of Representatives today adopted a resolution sponsored by state Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., that raises awareness for the number of senior citizens in the commonwealth who live independently, well after retirement. House Resolution 20 designates February 2017 as “National Senior Independence Month” in Pennsylvania. Neilson said this awareness month seeks to get seniors and their families thinking about steps they can take and services that are offered that allow older Pennsylvanians to remain in their homes and communities. “Older adults have faithfully provided for current and future generations as pillars of our families, leaders in our communities and defenders of our nation, so we must do all we can to allow them to live their lives the way they want, for as long as they want,” Neilson said. “Individualized services and support systems can be enhanced to help maintain their dignity, independence and self-determination as they age.” According to the AARP, 78 percent of adults over the age of 45 would prefer to stay in their current residence as long as they possibly can and 80 percent of adults 45 and older would prefer to remain in their local community for as long as possible. Read more
As Washington, D.C. is attempting to bridge a deep partisan divide, Pennsylvania is starting this year on a different note as both sides of the aisle are united in fixing a problem that has been creeping up on us for years. In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, Gov. Tom Wolf joined legislative leaders from both parties in the Senate and the House to make a commitment to put the state on the right track to comply with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005. The letter also requested an extension to give the state time to comply. Thankfully, DHS relented and granted Pennsylvania an extension through June, but what was, and in many ways still is, at risk should not be understated. Read more
HARRISBURG, PA -- Stoked by privacy concerns and anger over what states rights legislators called federal overreach, Pennsylvania lawmakers five years ago overwhelmingly passed a law opting out of the federal Real ID Act. Now they have 136 days to undo it. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday gave Pennsylvania until June 6 to comply. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 20 – State Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., announced he has introduced a resolution to remember the lives lost under Germany’s Nazi regime. House Resolution 32 recognizes Jan. 27, 2017 as “International Holocaust Remembrance Day” in Pennsylvania. Neilson said this day is recognized each year in the U.S. to honor Holocaust victims and educate people about the history of the Holocaust to help prevent future acts of genocide. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 18 – State Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., today applauded Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders in the House and Senate for seeking an extension to give the state time to comply with the federal REAL ID requirements, while reminding them that a legislative fix is needed to address the federal government’s concerns. In a letter sent last week, addressed to the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Charles Johnson, Wolf and legislative leaders in both chambers requested an extension to give the commonwealth time to resolve compliance issues. “Repercussions from our state’s noncompliance with these security standards will soon be interfering with the lives of Pennsylvanians and it will only get worse,” Neilson said. “We need to fix this and we need to fix this now. The only way to do that is by repealing the noncompliance legislation the General Assembly passed in 2012.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 3 – State Rep. Ed Neilson was sworn into office today to represent Northeast Philadelphia’s 174th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. “As a new session begins, I am ready to serve the people of Northeast Philadelphia,” Neilson said. “It is an honor to serve as their advocate in the House.” Neilson’s resume is familiar to most throughout the city and state. He previously served as an at-large member of Philadelphia City Council and in the executive offices of former Gov. Ed Rendell, as well as being a long-time member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Neilson also is a family man with his wife Doris and five sons. Read more
Boarding a plane is going to get a lot more complicated for Pennsylvania residents come January 22, 2018. NBC10's Lauren Mayk has more details about the Real ID program and what you should do before the deadline. Read more
In Pennsylvania, you can choose the company that generates your electricity – also known as your electric supplier. This means that you have the power to switch to a competing supplier who can offer the lowest price, or provide a specific service you want, such as “green” or renewable energy. Read more
State Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., announced the application process is now open for students to apply for the Pennsylvania House Scholarship Program. Neilson said the program is open to graduating high school seniors who are Pennsylvania residents with plans to attend a Pennsylvania college, university or career school as a full-time student. Students must have attained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade-point average in high school to be eligible. Other factors taken into consideration are a student’s commitment to community, leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and financial need. Read more
Imagine walking into a federal building, like the federal courthouse in Center City, and being told that your Pennsylvania driver's license is not a valid form of identification to gain entry. Imagine trying to board a domestic flight, not just in Pennsylvania but at any airport in America, and being turned away at security because a Transportation Department-issued identification card is no longer sufficient proof of identity. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 10 – State Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., today announced his constituent service office is a drop-off location for this year’s U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign. Residents may drop off new or unopened toys until Dec. 16 at Neilson’s constituent service office at 16 Old Ashton Road. The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign collects toy donations each year to be distributed to needy children, meant as a message of hope to the less fortunate and help in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. More information can be found online at www.toysfortots.org. Neilson’s office also will be collecting new or gently used winter coats and other winter accessories for local children and families in need until Nov. 21. More information is available by calling Neilson’s office at 215-330-3714. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 3 – State Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., announced today that safety at Politz Hebrew Academy will be enhanced thanks to a $40,000 state grant. Politz Hebrew Academy, located in the Bustleton neighborhood, will receive $40,000 from the state's Safe Schools Initiative Targeted Grant Program. The grant will assist the school in paying for salary and other compensation for a school resource or police officer's position for the school year. Up to $2,000 of the grant may be used for approved safety training. "It is crucial that students feel safe in school. A secure environment is needed for education to truly happen," Neilson said. "These funds will help us further our goal of providing a quality education to every child in the community." Neilson said the grants will be formally announced Friday by state Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera. Safe School Initiative grants are competitive grants awarded by the state Education Department to help school districts prevent and reduce school violence through school resource and police officers, prevention programs and security-related technology. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 26 – State Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., today applauded the final passage of legislation that would allow employers to pay wages through debit cards while also providing protections to limit fees on employees accessing those wages. Senate Bill 1265, which is similar to legislation Neilson introduced in the 2013-14 legislative session, would allow employers to pay wages through check, electronic fund transfer or payroll cards. "This legislation will help Pennsylvanians who are unable to open or maintain a bank account to still have convenient access to the wages they earn," Neilson said. "While a traditional bank account still has its advantages, these debit cards will allow employees to avoid the high cost and other fees associated with check cashing and money orders." This legislation, which now heads to Gov. Tom Wolf for his expected signature, would establish requirements and parameters for employers to use payroll debit cards in the payment of employee wages and penalties for those employers found to be in violation of the law. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 19 – State Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., today held a news conference to highlight October as “Dyslexia Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania and to urge his colleagues in the General Assembly to consider legislation to help students born with the learning condition, in the next legislative session. Neilson spoke at the news conference, which he cohosted with the Pennsylvania Dyslexia Literacy Coalition, about his family’s experiences with dyslexia. “Often children like my son, who was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia, are afraid to speak up and tell their teachers or even their parents that they are having trouble reading,” Neilson said. “It is our job as legislators to raise awareness not only of the learning condition, but also the importance of early detection and interventions we know to be effective.” Neilson also gave an informal update of the Dyslexia and Early Literacy Intervention Pilot Program, which was created as a result of legislation he introduced in 2013. “While the pilot program is still in its early stages, initial indicators suggest there is plenty of reason to be optimistic,” Neilson said. “Once we have the official report from the program and we can establish the benefits of early detection and intervention, it is my hope that we will be able to roll it out statewide. In the meantime, I will be working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to prepare additional bills for the next legislative session to help promote literacy throu Read more
Pa. state Rep. Ed Neilson hosted a news conference today to highlight his efforts to raise awareness of dyslexia throughout the state and to highlight October as Dyslexia Awareness Month. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 27 – State Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., today said he was pleased to learn that the Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools, an Educational Improvement Organization, received a donation that will enable it to help provide students throughout Philadelphia access to a quality education. UnitedHealthcare presented representatives from BLOCS today with a ceremonial check for $600,000 during a student assembly at Our Lady of Calvary Catholic School. The funds will be used to further BLOCS’ mission of providing financial assistance to families in need, bolstering school infrastructure and expanding education opportunities for families in the Philadelphia area. “Every child deserves a high-quality education, and the donation from UnitedHealthcare will help make that a reality for children across the Philadelphia region,” Neilson said. “These funds will make a quality education, like the one offered by Our Lady of Calvary school, obtainable for families that would otherwise have little choice in their child’s schooling.” Our Lady of Calvary School is one of over 150 Catholic schools to benefit from partial student tuition scholarship funding from BLOCS. At today’s assembly, representatives from UnitedHealthcare and BLOCS joined with school and city officials for a Health Bee competition. The Jeopardy-styled competition pitted two teams composed of Our Lady of Calvary students against each other as they answered questions about health, fitness and nut Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 21 – State Reps. Ed Neilson and Jason Dawkins, both D-Phila., urged their colleagues in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to amend legislation under consideration today to raise the minimum pay for poll workers on Election Day. Neilson’s amendment would have increased the minimum compensation for individuals serving as judges or inspectors of election from $75 to $150. Clerks and machine operators would have seen their minimum compensation raise from $70 to $140. “The hard-working men and women who serve our communities on Election Day are a vital component in preserving our democracy,” Neilson said. “Without them, the integrity and efficacy of our elections would be nonexistent.” Dawkins’ amendment would have set a fixed rate of pay for judges of election, inspectors of election, clerks and machine operators at a minimum of $10.10 per hour. "Poll workers have not seen a pay increase in 10 years, while legislators in Harrisburg get one every year," Dawkins said. "This is unfair, and the time has come to provide fair pay to the people who serve our communities and make sure our elections run effectively and efficiently." Philadelphia City Commissioner Lisa Deeley said she was disheartened to see efforts to ensure fair wages for hard-working poll workers throughout the state defeated. “One must consider the rationale of the legislators who voted no. Would they work a 14-hour day and earn $6.78 per hour as an inspector of election, or $7.14 Read more
Pedestrians are a major problem on the boulevard because it cuts through busy neighborhoods, forcing people to walk across it. State Rep. Ed Neilson (D-Northeast) noted his own district has two schools right on the highway. Read more
Over the summer, I supported the passage of a state budget plan that funds education at record levels, without a broad based tax increase. I will be the first to admit that this budget is far from perfect, but it is a solid step in the right direction especially for our schools and students. Read more
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