Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.
Pennsylvania has one of the highest average student debt rates in the country — most graduates leave school with over $35,000 in student loans. This is largely because the state doesn’t offer many scholarship or grant opportunities to residents. And those it does offer are largely based on financial need.
If you’re a resident of Pennsylvania, you may be eligible for its single merit- and need-based scholarship opportunity.
The Ready to Succeed Scholarship (RTSS) offers high-achieving students up to $2,000 per year, though you need to attend college for at least a year before you qualify. There’s no application — your school nominates you and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) evaluates your eligibility.
Pennsylvania only has two general grant programs — here’s how they break down:
The Pennsylvania State Grant provides free financial assistance to residents of Pennsylvania facing financial hardship. The state also has a Summer State Grant Program for students enrolled in eligible summer courses. While there are no strict income limits, students whose parents make more than $100,000 likely won’t qualify.
The Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP) is designed to encourage students to pursue training in skills that are in high demand by employers. It’s available to high school students as well as those who’ve already received a bachelor’s or graduate degree. Funds can be used for your entire cost of attendance, as opposed to just tuition and fees.
To apply, you need to fill out both the FAFSA and the PA-TIP application, which can be found on the PHEAA website.
On top of its two general grants, the state of Pennsylvania also offers a few opportunities geared toward specific groups.
You might. Pennsylvania is one of a few states that allows its grant and scholarships to be used at postsecondary institutions outside state lines, though your funding may be reduced. You might be able to qualify for Pennsylvania’s state-funded aid if you’re attending school in:
Not yet, but it plans to in the future. According to the PHEAA website, the state will soon offer competitive loans to undergraduate and graduate students and their parents, as well as refinancing options. We’ll update this page as we learn more.
If you don’t qualify for any of Pennsylvania’s limited scholarship and grant opportunities, here are a few alternatives to help cover the cost of school.
The federal government offers many need-based grants to students pursuing postsecondary education. And you should check to see what financial aid programs are available at your specific school, too. For example, Penn State offers both grants and scholarships to help students reduce the cost of attendance.
When all else fails, student loans are a classic way to bridge the gap when scholarships and grants fall short. Start with your federal Direct Loan options. They typically have the lowest rates available to undergraduates. After, you might want to consider your private student loan options.
Pennsylvania doesn’t have many options when it comes to free student aid. And with its student loan program still in development, you may want to check out our guide to student loans to explore other ways to pay for school.
The 7 best military banks and credit unions for vets, reservists and active-duty personnel.
Explore the options and programs that Canada has in place to help you move to Canada.
We researched over 20 tax software programs to help you quickly compare the top seven.
An alternative to high-cost students loans for STEM majors at qualifying HBCUs.
A relatively high-tech community bank with over 240 branches.
There are no government debt relief programs — but there are other ways Uncle Sam can help.
A bank account for kids that helps your child develop healthy money habits early on. Powered by Greenlight.
The 10 metrics that help us rank the lenders we review.
Now is the time to support Black-owned institutions so they can continue fighting systemic racism and working to close the wealth gap that exists in America.
Its fully online application sets it apart from other community credit unions, but its rates and terms aren’t exactly competitive.
