Workforce Advancement Grant for Education (WAGE) Program

Please note: Beginning with Fall semester of the 2008-09 academic year, the WAGE Program will no longer be funded.

The fastest growing population among college students is adult learners. They are rapidly becoming the new majority on college campuses; however, many student aid programs are not available to them.

In response, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) launched the WAGE Program in 2005-06 and is continuing to support this initiative. The goals of the WAGE Program continue to be reducing affordability barriers and increasing enrollment numbers, retention rates and program completion rates for adult students.

The WAGE Program provides a block grant to postsecondary institutions that have applied and been determined eligible to participate. Institutions establish and award grants to adult students who meet both Agency and institutional student eligibility guidelines.

The maximum grant amount, per student, is $3,500 for an academic year, which includes Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer(in that order).

Student Eligibility Guidelines

In order to benefit from the WAGE Program, the student must:

Students who meet these qualifications and attend a participating school (81.8 KB PDF) should contact the financial aid office at their institution to determine how to apply for WAGE funds.

Workforce Advancement Grant for Education (WAGE) Program High Demand Occupations

2007-08 Academic Year and Summer 2008