Jul 29, 2009 2 min read

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency reminds specific students of the upcoming Aug. 1 deadline to file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine possible eligibility for a need-based 2009-10 Pennsylvania State Grant. Students who qualify for the Aug. 1 FAFSA deadline must be 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 provide themselves with the opportunity to be considered for a need-based state grant,” noted state Rep. William F. Adolph, chairman of the PHEAA board. “In these difficult economic times, free money awards are something that very few students and families can just walk away from.”

State grant applications filed late but received from applicants with recent special consideration circumstances (death, disability, retirement, unemployment or separation from the military which occurred on or after Jan. 1, 2009) may be considered for possible processing depending on available funding. 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 who have questions about what they need to do to secure financial assistance should know there are resources available to help them,” said state Sen. 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.”

PHEAA encourages students to continue to apply for state grant aid regardless of ongoing state budget discussion and negotiations, and in particular, funding options for higher education.

Last year, more than 166,000 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.