PHEAA Reminds College-bound Students and Parents to Complete the FAFSA
Pennsylvania State Grant deadline is fast-approaching
Harrisburg, PA (April 22, 2008) - The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is reminding college-bound students and parents to complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to meet the Pennsylvania State Grant deadline of May 1st. The application is available online at www.pheaa.org/fafsa or a paper copy can be obtained from the U.S. Department of Education by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID.
The Pennsylvania State Grant Program was established to provide student aid in the form of grants to eligible Pennsylvania residents who demonstrate financial need and wish to attend a PHEAA-approved postsecondary school as undergraduate students. Students must be enrolled at a school on at least a half-time basis to be eligible.
“We always encourage students to take advantage of all free aid, such as grants and scholarships before applying for student loans' said Representative William Adolph, Chairman of the PHEAA Board of Directors. “With the Pennsylvania State Grant deadline less than a month away, students should not delay this opportunity to receive free student aid.”
Last year, more than 160,000 Pennsylvania students participated in the State Grant Program. The State Grant program is administered by PHEAA at no cost to taxpayers allowing every appropriated dollar to go directly to students.
To be eligible for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program all first-time applicants enrolled in two or four year programs of study and all renewal applicants must file by May 1. Nonrenewal applicants may file by August 1 if planning to enroll in business, trade or technical schools, hospital schools of nursing, or two year non-transferable programs at other institutions. The FAFSA serves as the Pennsylvania State Grant application.
Filing the FAFSA is the most important step in the student aid application process. PHEAA offers a free step-by-step online FAFSA guide to walk them through the process. In addition, PHEAA's Regional staff offers several financial aid nights, accessible local offices and call centers equipped with financial aid counselors who can walk applicants through the process.
The best way to complete the FAFSA is online. Last year, 94% of Pennsylvania applicants completed the form electronically which provides faster and more accurate results. Students and parents can still obtain a paper FAFSA form, but only by specific request by calling the U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-433-3243.
For more information on the FAFSA and Pennsylvania State Grant, students can visit www.pheaa.org or call PHEAA's State Grant Division toll-free at 800-692-7392.