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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.
| Amount | How much you qualify for depends on whether you’re a full-time or part-time student:
|
|---|---|
| Eligibility requirements | To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the following criteria:
|
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:
| Amount | Varies based on your financial need, the school you’re attending and the number of online courses you’re taking |
|---|---|
| Eligibility requirements | To qualify for this grant, you need to meet the following criteria:
|
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.
| Amount | You may qualify for up to $4,123 or 75% of your cost of attendance after other aid — whichever is less. However, veterans may receive up to 100% of their cost of attendance. |
|---|---|
| Eligibility requirements | To qualify for this grant, you need to meet the following criteria:
Veterans will also need to supply a copy of the DD214 Form. |
| Approved programs of study | You might qualify for the PA-TIP if you’re studying:
|
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.
Explore your options by APR, minimum credit score, loan amount and loan term. Select the Get started button to start an application with a specific lender.
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.
Are there any Pennsylvania scholarships available for high school seniors?
Not as of March 2019. Its only scholarship program requires you to have completed at least 24 credit hours of college coursework to qualify. However, it does have a few grant programs high school student may qualify for.
How can I get in touch with the PHEAA?
To contact the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, you can email granthelp@pheaa.org or call 800-692-7392. Its customer service team is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
Where can I find a list of eligible federal Title IV postsecondary institutions?
You can find a list of eligible federal Title IV postsecondary institutions on the Federal Student Aid website.
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