Financial Aid Resources
To assist you in better understanding the financial aid process, listed below are links to PHEAA publications on the financial aid process.
Student Aid Guide
Scholarship Tips
With research and careful preparation of documents and application forms, many students receive financial aid to continue their education. Remember to:
- Get the application early as there may be additional requirements.
- Submit application and any supporting documents on or before the deadline.
- Follow all the instructions exactly as listed on each application.
The U.S. Department of Education has several major financial aid programs to help students meet post secondary costs. To qualify for these programs, a student must show financial need, must enroll as a regular student in an eligible program at an eligible school, must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and must meet the school's satisfactory academic progress standards in his/her course of study. A few of the federally funded programs include:
- Grants: Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, do not have to be repaid.
- Jobs: Federal Work Study Programs fund part time jobs so that a student can earn money to pay for part of his/her education.
- Loans: Federal Perkins Loans, Stafford Loans and Direct Stafford Loans enable the borrower to help meet education costs. Federal PLUS Loans and Direct PLUS Loans are available to parents of dependent students. Funds from any of these programs must cover the cost of education expenses solely.
Resources
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA provides PA State Grants)
FAFSA on the Web - U.S. Dept. of Education online FAFSA Application
CSS Profile - The CSS Profile is an online applications that collects information used by colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal aid.
Click here for the CSS Profile Student Guide
Scholarship Tips
Fast Web - The leading online resource for finding Scholarships.The U. S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid provides over $80 billion annually in financial assistance for college. To receive federal student aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible after October 1.
There are three ways that a student can complete the FAFSA:
- Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
- Download and complete a PDF version of the FAFSA at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov. (Note: PDF FAFSAs must be mailed for processing).