Federal Aid Programs
Federal Pell Grant - The Federal Pell Grant is awarded based on a federal formula using the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Awards for full-time students vary from $976 - $5,550 for the 2010-2011 award year, depending on the calculated financial need.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) - A limited amount of funds from the SEOG program are available to supplement Pell-eligible students with exceptional need. Awards vary depending on need and fund availability.
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) - The Academic Competitiveness Grant provides up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study. The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is in addition to a student's Pell Grant award for those U.S. citizen applicants who completed a rigorous high school program of study, as specified in U.S. Department of Education regulations, and are attending college for the first time in a degree program as a full-time student. An official high school transcript, or equivalent, is required to evaluate an applicant’s eligibility for an ACG Grant.
Federal Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART) - A SMART Grant is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are Pell-eligible and are majoring in physical, life or computer science, mathematics, technology, engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security. The student must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 in coursework required for the eligible major. The SMART grant award is $4,000 per academic year.
Federal Direct Loan - The Federal Direct Loan is available for students through participating lenders and credit unions. There are two types of Federal Direct Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. The subsidized loan is interest-free while the student is in school, and is awarded based on financial need. Interest accrues on the unsubsidized loan while the student is enrolled in school. The borrower may opt to pay it as it accrues, or allow it to accrue and capitalize. The unsubsidized loan is a non-need based loan program.
The maximum Federal Direct Loan per academic year is $3,500 for freshmen, $4,500 for sophomores, and $5,500 for juniors and beyond. An independent student may borrow an additional $6,000 per year as a freshman and sophomore, and an additional $7,000 per year as a junior and beyond.
Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Loan - The PLUS is available for parents of undergraduate students through participating lenders and credit unions. A parent may borrow up to the cost of attendance less any other financial aid received. Repayment begins 60 days after this loan is fully disbursed.
Federal Work-Study – An eligible student can seek part-time employment either on-campus or in community service positions off-campus. A student may work up to 20 hours per week during a semester and up to 35 hours per week when classes are not in session.
State Aid Programs
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) State Grant
PHEAA State Grants are awarded to eligible Pennsylvania residents based on need. Awards vary up to $3,400 for the 2010-2011 academic year. A student applies for the State Grant by completing the FAFSA. Renewal applicants must apply before PHEAA’s May 1 deadline. Information from the FAFSA is automatically submitted to PHEAA. After the initial application is filed, students and parents should respond directly to the PHEAA Grant Division if additional information is required to process the state grant award.
New Economy Technology Scholarship (NETS)
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency’s SciTech Scholarship and the Technology Scholarship are both awarded through the New Economy Technology Scholarship (NETS) Program. These scholarships make financial aid available if you are an undergraduate studying in approved science or technology fields.
SciTech Scholarships provide up to $3,000 per year based on total educational costs (tuition and mandatory fees, room and board, and an allowance for books) to students who are enrolled full-time, for a maximum of three years (with certain exceptions for approved five-year degree programs). Technology Scholarships provide up to $1,000 per year based on total educational costs (tuition and mandatory fees, room and board, and an allowance for books) to Pennsylvania high school graduates enrolled for at least three semester credits per semester or the equivalent.
Recipients of these scholarships must agree to work full-time in Pennsylvania following graduation, one year for each year that a scholarship award is received. These scholarships are not based on your financial need. First priority for awarding funds under this program will be given to renewal applicants. Thereafter, funds under this program will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.
Other State Grant Programs
Other special programs are offered to eligible applicants as determined by PHEAA. An official high school transcript, or equivalent, may be required to evaluate an applicant’s eligibility for these programs.
Other Programs – The following federal, state or private financial aid sources are available to a student based upon the individual’s affiliations or experiences.
Veterans Administration Education Benefits
Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Job Training Agencies
Employer Sponsorship