HARRISBURG, April 17, 2015 – With the May 1 deadline quickly approaching, state Sen. Judy Schwank today reminded Berks County students who are headed to college or are renewing their application to apply soon for a state grant.
During the 2014-’15 academic year, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency awarded 3,989 grants worth $9.12 million to students in Schwank’s 11th Senatorial District.
The average grant to local residents, which do not require repayment, was valued at nearly $3,000.
“Students looking for help in paying their college or junior college tuition bills can get that help from PHEAA,” Schwank said today. “Better yet; grant recipients will not have to pay back those awards.”
Students planning to attend a community college, a trade school, school of nursing or a two-year program that is not transferrable have until Aug. 1 to apply for a state grant.
To apply or renew, the senator said students or parents should visit PHEAA’s website.
First-time applicants will need to be armed with the date they received – or plan to receive – their high school diploma or GED, Social Security number, and a recent statement (if applicable) from their PA Treasury 529 College Savings Program account.
Applicants will also have to open a ledger with American Education Services’ “Account Access” student aid management tool. They must also complete the 2015-‘16 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Easy instructions for opening the accounts are on PHEAA’s website.
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