PHEAA Reminds Students of Upcoming Deadline for 2010-11 Pennsylvania State Grant

Harrisburg, PA (July 27, 2010) – The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency reminds certain students of the upcoming August 1 deadline to file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine possible eligibility for a need-based 2010-11 Pennsylvania State Grant.

Specifically, students who qualify for the August 1 FAFSA deadline are first-time applicants enrolled in a two-year program of study at:

·         Business, trade or technical schools

·         Hospital schools of nursing

·         Community, junior or four-year colleges or universities – two-year, non-transferable programs of study only

“Every student should complete the FAFSA in order to be considered for a need-based State Grant,” noted Representative William F. Adolph, Chairman of the PHEAA Board. “Students need to understand that filing the FAFSA opens the door to not only the possibility of a State Grant award, but also may qualify them for federal grants and lower cost federal student loans.”

           

State Grant applications filed late but received from applicants with recent special consideration circumstances may be considered for possible processing depending on available funding. Special circumstances include the applicant’s separation from military service or applicants who suffer a loss in expected family income due to the death, disability, retirement or unemployment of a parent or because the parents have divorced or separated, when any of these circumstances occurred on or after January 1, 2010. In addition to the FAFSA, all first-time applicants must complete a brief State Grant Form which collects a few state-specific data elements currently not included on the FAFSA.

“Students with questions about how to secure financial assistance should be aware that PHEAA has resources that are available to help them,” said Senator Sean Logan, Vice Chairman of the PHEAA Board. “PHEAA.org offers comprehensive information about the student aid process, information and eligibility requirements for all of Pennsylvania’s aid programs, and guidance on completing the FAFSA on the Web.”  

Last year, more than 170,000 Pennsylvania students benefited by receiving a State Grant award. The Pennsylvania State Grant program is administered by PHEAA at no cost to taxpayers allowing every appropriated dollar to go directly to students.

Students and families with questions about the FAFSA or the State Grant Program should visit PHEAA.org and call toll-free 800-692-7392 for additional information.

For the latest financial aid information and helpful tips, upcoming deadlines and free financial aid workshops join PHEAA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pheaa.aid.