For information on loan programs, grants, scholarships, work study, and all other financial aid programs in Pennsylvania contact:

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency

State Grant and Special Programs

PO Box 8157

Harrisburg, PA 17105

800-692-7392

granthelp@pheaa.org

pheaa.org

In order to be eligible to receive a PA State Grant if you’re taking more than half of your classes online, you must be attending a school that is headquartered and domiciled in PA. Due to limited resources, students enrolled in more than 50 percent distance education credits may receive a reduced award.

State Grants

Eligibility – state residents enrolled or planning to enroll full- or part-time at any approved school in Pennsylvania or at any approved out-of-state college or university. Must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) then complete the State Grant Form (SGF) online directly from the FAFSA confirmation page, or visit  American Education Services (AES), aessuccess.org, to complete the SGF.

Awards – award amount depends on the type of school and the applicant’s financial situation; however, limited funding may reduce actual award amounts. 

PA Summer State Grant Program

The PA Summer State Grant Program allows eligible students attending summer courses to apply for a PA State Grant award for the summer term. The deadline is August 15.

Eligibility – must be enrolled on at least six credits per semester, your enrollment during the summer term may be as short as 5 weeks of instruction and no less than six semester credits (or the equivalent). Non-consecutive modules may be combined to meet the 5-week, abbreviated term length requirement for the summer term only.

Be sure to talk to your financial aid administrator if you have questions.

Student Loan Relief for Nurses (SLRN)

The COVID-19 Nursing Workforce Initiative (NWI) was unveiled in September 2021 with the aim of providing greater support to Pennsylvania nurses amidst the immense challenges of the pandemic.

Eligibility – nurses who are residents of the Commonwealth and licensed by the PA Department of State to work at a qualified nursing facility during the pandemic.

Awards – student loan relief of up to $2,500 for each year of work (beginning with 2020) for no more than 3 years, with a maximum benefit of $7,500.

PA Blind or Deaf Beneficiary Grant Program

Eligibility - Pennsylvania residents who are eligible to receive benefits from the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) or those who provide documentation from physician regarding visual and/or  hearing impairment. Recipients must be enrolled at least half-time in a  postsecondary institution and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Award - maximum grant cannot exceed $500 within an academic year. This program awards funds on a first-come, first-served basis.

For information, contact PHEAA at bdbg@pheaa.org

PA Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program 

Eligibility – be a Pennsylvania resident who is identified as a youth who is or was in foster care and has not reached the age of 26 by July 1 of the upcoming academic year for which the FosterEd waiver is received.

Awards – waiver of tuition and mandatory fees - applies only to charges that remain after all other gift aid (federal, state, and other scholarships or grants) have been applied to the student’s account

For more information email  FosterEd@pheaa.org or call 1-800-692-7392.

PA Partnerships for Access to Higher Education (PATH)

Eligibility – Candidates are nominated by a participating PATH organization such as a community or service organization. Candidates must be enrolled at least half-time in an approved Pennsylvania school, be a State Grant recipient, and demonstrate financial need.

Awards – maximum PATH grant cannot exceed $3,500 for the academic year.

For a list of participating PATH organizations and additional information, contact PHEAA at path@pheaa.org or visit pheaa.org.

PA Chafee Education and Training Grant

The Chafee Education and Training Grant Program offers grant assistance to Pennsylvania undergraduate students who are aging out of foster care and who are attending a postsecondary institution approved for Federal Title IV student financial assistance programs. Recipient must be enrolled at least half-time and maintain “satisfactory academic progress.”

Awards – For the 2024-25 year the award is $5,000 However, no award may exceed the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid.

For information and application, contact PHEAA at paetg@pheaa.org.

Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program (PEGP)

Eligibility – children by birth or adoption of a deceased law enforcement member, firefighter, rescue or ambulance squad member, corrections facility employee, active National Guard member, or other federal or state active duty personnel who died after January 1, 1976, as a result of performing his or her official duties. Applicant must be 25 years or younger, complete a FAFSA and a Pennsylvania State Grant Application, and be enrolled in a full-time approved program of study.

Awards – waivers that cover tuition, fees, room and board charged at Pennsylvania public postsecondary institutions.

For information and application, contact PHEAA at pegp@pheaa.org.

PA State Work-Study Program (SWSP)

Eligibility – students who are eligible to receive PHEAA grants or loans and will benefit from a career-related work experience.

Awards – vary according to the hours worked and hourly pay. For information and application, contact PHEAA at swsp@pheaa.org.

PA Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP)

Eligibility – Pennsylvania residents who are high school graduates and enroll full-time in postsecondary  programs of study in the following career areas: Energy, Health, Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing, or Agriculture and Food Production.

Awards – amount equal to the current annual maximum State Grant award (currently $6,000) or the student’s actual unmet need, whichever is less. May be used for educational costs and specific living expenses.

For additional information and a complete list of approved programs of study, contact PHEAA at patip@pheaa.org or visit pheaa.org.

Children of POW/MIA

Eligibility – residents who wish to pursue higher education, and are children of members of the Armed Forces who served on active duty after January 31, 1955, and who have been or are POW or MIA and were Pennsylvania residents for at least one year prior to serving on active duty.

Awards – The maximum award amount is $1,200, but availability is dependent on state funding.

For information and application, contact PHEAA .

PA National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)

Eligibility – legal residents who have entered into a service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard, typically for a six-year period.

Awards – The lesser of 100 percent of the tuition at the institution where the student is enrolled or 100 percent of the tuition charged to a Pennsylvania resident at a state-owned university. Awards are also available for part-time attendance.

Dependents (spouses and children) of PA Guard Members are also eligible for this award.

For information and application, contact PHEAA.

Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program

The purpose of the Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program is to encourage individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession. You may qualify if you teach full-time at a low-income school and meet other qualifications.

The programs allow for a portion of a student’s federal loans to be repaid in return for a specified term of employment in a designated occupation or facility. Information is available at studentaid.gov

Ready to Succeed Scholarship (RTSS) Targeted

Eligibility – resident students who have completed at least one academic year (at least 24 credits or the equivalent) by the end of the Spring or Summer term for the following academic year; who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement by attaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, and who have a family income equal to or less than $126,000

Awards – in combination with the Pennsylvania State Grant Program, offer a total award up to $2,500 for full-time and $1,250 for part-time students. The minimum award is $500.

For additional information, contact PHEAA at rtss@pheaa.org

Active Volunteer Tuition and Loan Assistance Program

Eligibility – resident students who participated in at least 30 percent with a volunteer organization as an active volunteer in good standing for 1 year prior to applying and agree to serve at least 5 years after completing the program.

Awards – tuition or loan assistance: $1,000 per academic year for full-time student, $500 for part-time students.