The Ready to Succeed Scholarship (RTSS) Program is administered by PHEAA in close cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The program, which is funded by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, provides awards to high-achieving students whose annual family income does not exceed $126,000.

RTSS provides scholarships to high academic achievers that, in combination with the Pennsylvania State Grant Program, offer a total award up to $2,500 for full-time and $1,250 for part-time students. The minimum award is $500. Awards can be used to cover tuition, books, fees, supplies, and living expenses.

Process:

• Students that have applied for the PA State Grant will first be screened by PHEAA for eligibility. A list of potentially eligible students is then sent to the Office of Student Financial Services in early October to ensure the student's calculated GPA and grade level (credits completed) meet the RTSS requirement.
   
• Eligible students are notified by PHEAA in mid- to late fall, therefore all students must prepare for a delayed disbursement of funding (typically applies to eligible student accounts in November for fall semester and in March for spring semester).
   
• Incoming transfer students should ensure they have sent the University their most recent academic transcript to ensure a timely review.

Funding is limited for the program and awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis. More detailed information on PHEAA's process is available on their website.

Eligibility:

With the exception of financial need, the student must meet all other Pennsylvania State Grant eligibility requirements to qualify for RTSS. This includes the submission of a FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and a Pennsylvania State Grant Form (SGF).

The student must also:

• Have completed at least one academic year—defined as having earned at least 24 semester credits or the equivalent by the time that the student's school checks academic progress for the Pennsylvania State Grant program. This may be at the end of the Spring or Summer term of the previous academic year.
   
• Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement by attaining a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.25 at the time that the student's school checks academic progress for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program. This may be at the end of the Spring or Summer term of the previous academic year. (The minimum cumulative GPA used to measure outstanding academic achievement could change for future academic years.)
   
• Have a family income that does not exceed $126,000. A detailed list of frequently asked questions regarding RTSS is also available on PHEAA's website. other educational funding sources administered by pheaa

Website: https://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/other-educational-aid/blind-deaf.shtml

This is a Pennsylvania state-funded program that provides financial aid to blind or deaf students attending a postsecondary institution.

To be considered for a Blind or Deaf grant, you must:

• Be a Pennsylvania resident
• File the FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for the academic year for which the Blind or Deaf funds are being requested.
• Supply written documentation to PHEAA showing that you have been evaluated and are eligible to receive benefits from the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)

                     OR

• Supply documentation from your physician regarding your visual and/or hearing impairment (Page 4 of the application)
• Be enrolled at least half-time in a postsecondary institution and maintain satisfactory academic progress (as determined by the postsecondary institution)

Funding:

The maximum Blind or Deaf grant cannot exceed $500 within an academic year. The grant can replace your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) but cannot exceed your cost of attendance. This program awards funds on a first-come, first-served basis.

To Apply:

1. Download and complete the application from PHEAA's website.
2. Contact OVR at 1-866-375-8264 for documentation stating that you qualify for OVR benefits. OR:
3. File the FAFSA for the academic Year for which the funding is being requested.
4. Sumbit the completed application and additional documention to PHEAA by the deadline.

Renewal grant opportunities are possible, students should continue to apply and file by all published deadlines.

Website: https://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/other-educational-aid/foster-education.shtml

The Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program provides a waiver for tuition and mandatory fees charged by most postsecondary institutions located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for youth who are or were in foster care. This waiver applies only to charges that remain after all other gift aid (federal, state, and other scholarships or grants) have been applied to the student’s account.

Contact:
Incoming students may contact Tanean Kinning-Robinson in the Office of Student Financial Services by calling 215-204-5613 or by emailing tkrobin@temple.edu with questions.

All eligible students will be reviewed once PHEAA notifies the Office of Student Financial Services of all PA Chafee Education and Training Grant recipients.

To be considered for a Fostering Independence Tuition Education Waiver, you must:

• Be a Pennsylvania resident
• Be under the age of 26
• Have received a high school diploma or equivalent approved credential
• Be eligible for services under Pennsylvania's John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
• Be identified as a youth in foster care or a youth discharged or adopted from foster care at age 16
• Exited foster care on or after age 16 to adoption or permanent legal custodianship
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate, at least part time in a postsecondary institution that is approved by the U.S. Department of Education for Title IV student assistance programs
• Demonstrate financial need for the PA Chafee Education and Training Grant (PHEAA approves and then the Office of Student Financial Services reviews)
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as determined by the Office of Student Financial Services
• Not be in default on a federal student loan
• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Website: https://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/other-educational-aid/path.shtml

Through the PATH (Partnerships for Access to Higher Education) Program, qualifying students who have already been awarded a scholarship or grant by one of our PHEAA PATH Partners may be eligible for additional grant money.

To be considered for a PHEAA PATH grant, you must:

• Be nominated by a participating PATH Partner from which you received a scholarship for the academic year
• Have received a Pennsylvania State Grant for the semester for which you have been nominated to receive a PATH grant
• Demonstrate financial need for a PATH grant:
  • financial need = COA- EFC - all other grants and scholarships
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate, at least part time in a Pennsylvania State Grant–approved postsecondary institution in Pennsylvania and maintain satisfactory academic progress (as determined by the postsecondary institution)
   

Funding:

The maximum PHEAA PATH grant will not exceed $3,500 within an academic year.

To Apply:

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
2. Contact a participating PHEAA PATH Partner in your area

This federally funded program offers grants to Pennsylvania undergraduate students aging out of foster care who are attending an eligible postsecondary institution.

PHEAA administers the Pennsylvania Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee) Program on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services as authorized under the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and amended by the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001 and the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017.

To be considered for this grant, you must:

• Be a Pennsylvania resident
• Be eligible for services under Pennsylvania's John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
• Be identified as a youth in foster care or a youth discharged or adopted from foster care at age 16
• Be a new applicant participating in the Chafee Program prior to your 21st birthday, or be a renewal applicant who has not reached your 23rd birthday by July 1 of the upcoming academic year in which Chafee funds will be awarded.
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate, at least part time in a college or career school that is approved by the U.S. Department of Education for Title IV student assistance programs
• Demonstrate financial need for the grant (as determined by the postsecondary institution)
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as determined by the Office of Student Financial Services
• Not be in default on a federal student loan
   

Funding:

The maximum award under this program is $5,000. However, no award may exceed your cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you receive. Please note that the maximum award amount is subject to change due to Federal Grant levels.

To Apply:

1. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
2. Download and complete the Pennsylvania Chafee Education and Training Grant Program Application once available.
3. Mail your completed application to PHEAA PA State Grant and Special Programs, P.O. Box 8157, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8157

Can I Renew?
Yes. You must complete a renewal FAFSA and contact PHEAA via email at paetg@pheaa.org or by calling 1-800-692-7392.

Website: https://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/other-educational-aid/postsecondary-educational-gratuity.shtml

PEGP honors individuals who lost their lives protecting the citizens of Pennsylvania by helping their children fund their education.

PEGP provides a waiver for tuition, fees, and on-campus room and board costs charged by public postsecondary institutions. This waiver applies only to charges that remain after all other grants (federal, state, and outside scholarships) have been applied to your student account.

To be considered for a PEGP waiver, you must:

• Be a resident of Pennsylvania
• Be a child by birth or adoption of a police officer, firefighter, rescue or ambulance squad member, corrections facility employee, or active National Guard member who died after January 1, 1976, as a direct result of performing his or her official duties
• Be a child by birth or adoption of a sheriff, deputy sheriff, National Guard member, or other individual who was on federal or state active military duty who died after September 11, 2001, as a direct result of performing his or her official duties
• Be 25 years of age or younger when you apply for the program
• Complete a 2023-24 FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) and a 2023-24 Pennsylvania State Grant Application
• Be enrolled at a Pennsylvania community college, state-owned institution, or state-related institution as a full-time undergraduate student pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree

To Apply:

1. Download and complete the PEGP Application. 
2. Include a certified copy of your birth certificate with your application. (For more information on how to obtain your birth certificate, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health website.)
3. Provide a letter of admission to the postsecondary institution that you attend or plan to attend.
4. Complete the FAFSA and the Pennsylvania State Grant Application.
5. Mail your completed application and additional documents no later than March 31 to:
   PHEAA Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program State Grant and Special Programs
   P.O. Box 8157
   Harrisburg, PA 17105-8157

To Renew:

1. Download and complete the PEGP Renewal Information Request.
2. If you plan to attend a different school than the one attended, provide a letter of admission to the new school.
3. Complete the FAFSA and the Pennsylvania State Grant Application.
4. Mail or fax your completed renewal application and letter of admission (if required) no later than August 1 to:
   PHEAA Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program State Grant and Special Programs
   P.O. Box 8157
   Harrisburg, PA 17105-8157
   Fax: (717) 720-3786

Children of POW/MIA Soldiers

PHEAA offers a special state grant to the children of any soldier in the U.S. Armed Forces who has been declared as a prisoner of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA).

Eligibility:

• You must be the child of a soldier who has been designated as a POW or MIA. In addition, the POW/MIA soldier must have:
  • Served on active duty after January 31, 1955
  • Been a resident of Pennsylvania for at least the 12 months before serving on active duty
  • Not deserted, defected to the enemy, or been discharged under conditions other than "honorable"

Funding:

The maximum award amount is $1,200, but availability is dependent on state funding.

To Apply:

1. Call to get a POW/MIA application:
     1-800-692-7392 (toll-free) TTY: Dial 711 (for hearing impaired)

2. File the FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the POW/MIA application.

File as early as possible. Applications received at PHEAA before April 1 of the spring term for which you are requesting aid may be eligible for funding for the full academic year, funds permitting.
 

Pennsylvania National Guard EAP

Together with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, PHEAA administers this tuition assistance program for students who enter into a service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard for a period of 6 years.

To be considered for the Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP), you must:

• Be a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard
• Be enrolled in a degree- or certificate-granting program of study at an approved Pennsylvania institution

Eligibility: Visit PHEAA's EAP website for more information. If you fail to honor the service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard, you must repay your total EAP award amount, plus interest.

To Apply:

• If you are already a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, contact the readiness NCO (Noncommissioned Officer) at your unit of assignment.
• If you are not a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard and want more information, go to the Pennsylvania National Guard website.
   

Pennsylvania National Guard Military Family Education Program (MFEP)

Together with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, PHEAA administers this tuition assistance program for dependents (spouses and children) of PA Guard Members who enter into an additional 6-year service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard.

To be considered for the MFEP, you must be:

• A Guard Member:
  • Someone who completed an initial service obligation, on or after July 1, 2019, in the Pennsylvania National Guard and be eligible to reenlist in the Pennsylvania National Guard for a period of 6 years
• A Family Member:
  • Someone who is a spouse or child of a Pennsylvania National Guard member who meets the above criteria and has assigned the benefit to the family member.
  • Someone who is enrolled in a degree or certificate-granting program of study at an approved Pennsylvania institution

Eligibility:
Visit PHEAA's National Guard website for more information.

• The MFEP grant can be used for a degree-granting curriculum or certificate-granting, course of study, or training programs required for entrance into a specific career as determined by PHEAA at an approved PHEAA institution of higher learning for up to 5 academic years.
• The PA Guard Member can assign the entire benefit to one dependent or a portion of the benefit to more than one dependent.
• If you fail to honor the service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard, you must repay your total MFEP award amount, plus interest.

How Long are Dependents Eligible to Use MFEP?

• A spouse can use the assigned MFEP benefit up to 6 years after the member’s separation from the PA Guard.
• Children can use the assigned MFEP benefit before reaching 26 years of age.

To Apply:

• The Military Family Education Program will be accepting member enrollment in Fall 2023 for family members to use the benefit during the 2023-24 Academic Year. If you are a spouse or child of a PA National Guard member that has re-enlisted in an additional 6-year contract, please have the Service Member contact their unit for more information. If you are not a Service Member of the Pennsylvania National Guard and want more information, go to the Pennsylvania National Guard website

The NETS Program is no longer being funded. NETS recipients may verify their employment obligation or submit a deferment for review.

If you fail to meet your NETS obligations, you must repay your scholarship funds.

• Repayment Information
• FAQ