In 2022, we embarked on a transformational project, in alignment with our vision and strategy, to reimagine our future-state. Through our modernization project, we began developing a premier solution that will enhance our approaches and administration of the 20+ financial aid programs that we administer for the Commonwealth.

To kick off this project, we:

  • Researched extensively, conducted proper due diligence, and evaluated all options
  • Completed a market scan and requested proposals to evaluate potential vendors
  • Completed vendor scoring and assessed each bid on several key factors

Our team ultimately decided to pursue an off-the-shelf, cloud-based product that is highly configurable and best aligns with our guiding principles. This new system, named GrantUs, is our future. It will:

  • Streamline application processes for students and families
  • Modernize award processing
  • Centralize PHEAA systems used for program administration

What is GrantUs?

GrantUs is a new system that will modernize how we administer the PA State Grant Program and over 20 other special programs at PHEAA.

Timing & Implementation

The U.S. Department of Education launched the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) in December 2023.

Our team has been working hard on GrantUs over the last year, and we will begin deployment after we receive and test Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) data from Federal Student Aid (FSA). FSA will transmit ISIR data to schools and state agencies in mid-March 2024. This means there will be gaps between when the FAFSA opened in December 2023, when ISIR data is received in mid-March, and when GrantUs launches.

If a student submits their 2024-25 FAFSA prior to the GrantUs launch and is required to complete the 2024-25 State Grant Form (SGF) or Status Notice, the student will need to sign in to GrantUs later to complete the application documentation; this extra step exists because the Application Programming Interface (API) link to the SGF will not be available for 2024-25 FAFSA applicants.

NOTE: FSA will provide 2024-25 FAFSA applicants from Pennsylvania with a link to our Important Information for Student Aid page in place of the API link. This page will be updated to present applicants with information on next steps about applying for the PA State Grant Program and will include supporting guidance for special program applicants.

We targeted our first deployment for early 2024. We anticipate individual special programs to be available in GrantUs later this year. Each program that we administer will migrate into GrantUs using a phased implementation approach.

While deployment scheduling is subject to change, we expect to add special programs to the new system every 2 months throughout fall 2024. As we add programs, users may need to navigate new and old systems depending on their unique needs.

Monitor this page over the next few months as we meet our project milestones.

Features

Once we fully implement GrantUs, we expect the new platform to replace and centralize use of:

  • Alec and Partner Interface
  • PageCenter and PageCenterX
  • Rocket Terminal Emulator (TE)
  • Business Partner Access Management System (BPAMS)
  • MyFileGateway

NOTE: Schools and community partners cannot use their current sign in credentials to access GrantUs. Instead, each user will access GrantUs with their unique email address and a new GrantUs password. To ensure data security, users will also complete a multi-factor authentication process.

Training

We will post initial training materials for the GrantUs platform prior to the first deployment. Our team will offer virtual and in-person sessions, pre-recorded materials, and self-service options.

Training materials will be updated throughout deployment.