HARRISBURG, Pa. >> Penn State’s costs for legal fees, consultants and public relations firms hired to help deal with the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal have reached nearly $17 million.

The university said it has spent almost $16.8 million through June 30.

Nearly $10 million of that went to seven firms for what Penn State calls internal investigation and crisis communications. Nearly $4 million went for university legal services and defense.

The university is also facing lawsuits from Sandusky’s accusers while the NCAA leveled a $60 million fine against the school in July.

The school says the costs for the legal defense and public relations are not paid by student tuition, taxpayer funds or donations. It says the costs will be covered by insurance policies or interest payments on loans it makes.