Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency provides financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans to all qualifying students enrolled in eligible programs based on their expected family contribution as determined by the federal processor. The Financial Aid Office administers the following need-based grant programs:

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State Grant Opportunities

To be considered for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, each year and maintain satisfactory progress:

• Maintain a minimum quality point average of 2.0;
• Successfully complete 67 percent of all attempted credits;
• Meet the standards of the CTI@HGAC attendance policy.

The available Grants opportunities through PHEAA are:

• Federal Pell Grants
• Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, or PHEAA Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or FSEOG
• Academic Competitiveness Grant, or ACG

Scholarships Opportunities:

• PA Ready to Succeed Scholarship (RTSS) Program - The RTSS Program provides scholarships to high academic achievers. Students must be nominated by their post-secondary institution for participation in the program.

State Loans Opportunities:

• PA FORWARD Student Loans - The program's goal is to provide students with a low-cost way to pay for college.

Other Opportunities:

• PA Blind or Deaf Higher Education Beneficiary Grant Program - This program provides financial aid to blind or deaf students attending a post-secondary institution.
• PA Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program - This program provides a waiver for tuition and mandatory fees charged by most post-secondary institutions located in the Commonwealth for youth who are or were in foster care.
• PA Partnerships For Access To Higher Education Program - Students awarded a scholarship or grant by a participating program partner may be eligible for additional aid.
• Chafee Education and Training Grant Program - This federally funded program offers grants to Pennsylvania students aging out of foster care.
• PA Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program - This program offers educational funding to the children of those who lost their lives protecting the citizens of Pennsylvania.

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Institutional Scholarships

Colleges provide institutional grants and scholarships to help make up the difference between college costs and what a family can be expected to contribute through income, savings, loans, and student earnings. Awards may be based on academic merit, artistic or athletic talent, financial need, or other factors. You can learn more about the types of institutional grants and scholarships awarded by checking each college's financial aid website.

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Private Scholarships

Private scholarships provide funding for students who meet the requirements specified by the donor organization. Local organizations or businesses may offer scholarships to students who plan to study at a regional college or plan to pursue a degree in a particular field of study.

Check with your High School Guidance Counselor office for details about local and regional scholarships.

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Contact Information:

• 1-800-692-7392
• TTY: Dial 711 (for hearing impaired)
• rtss@pheaa.org

By U.S. Mail

PHEAA

PA State Grant and Special Programs

P.O. Box 8157

Harrisburg, PA 17105-8157

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (ET)

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