October 2, 2017
Reading, September 26, 2017 – Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency are holding a College Financial Aid Awareness Seminar at 7 p.m. on Oct. 5 at the Muhlenberg Township Building to inform high school juniors and seniors how to apply for college financial aid.
The seminar ensures students and their parents are well informed of their many financial aid options regarding college. Representatives from PHEAA and the Pennsylvania Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators will give presentations and will be available to answer questions.
What: College Financial Aid Awareness Seminar
When: Oct. 5, 2017, 7 p.m.
Where: Muhlenberg Township Building, 210 George St., Reading
Registration: Not required (More information is available by calling 610-929-2151)
Cost: Free
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September 24, 2015
READING, Sept. 24, 2015 – Students, parents and others who have questions about paying for college will want to save Oct. 1 on their calendars so they can benefit from Sen. Judy Schwank’s annual “College Financial Aid Awareness Night.”
The free event will run from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Muhlenberg Township building, and it will include presentations by the senator and financial aid experts from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and Reading Area Community College.
“Change is a constant in the world of college financial aid and it’s important to get the best tips and ideas to ensure to best navigate this sometimes difficult task,” Sen. Schwank said. “PHEAA and RACC’s financial aid experts have been excellent and very helpful in the past, and I am sure they will help ease many worries or fears next week.”
Additional information is available by contacting Schwank’s Reading District office, 610-929-2151.
Media coverage is invited.
WHO: Sen. Judy Schwank’s “College Financial Aid Awareness Night”
WHEN: 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1
WHERE: Muhlenberg Township Building, 210 George St., Reading
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April 17, 2015
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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February 12, 2015
READING, Feb. 12, 2015 – Berks Countians looking for help in paying college tuition can get free guidance and tips this Saturday, Feb. 14, during a FAFSA Preparation Seminar in Sen. Judy Schwank’s district office.
“While improvements have been made to the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid, it can still be overwhelming and confusing, so I am encouraging anyone who plans to attend college or is planning to help someone cover their tuition to attend my free seminar Saturday morning,” Sen. Schwank said.
Financial aid experts from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, or PHEAA, and Kutztown University will be on hand to guide participants.
Computers will be available for attendees so they can complete and submit their FAFSA applications.
Seating is limited, so interested residents should call Sen. Schwank’s office to reserve a spot at 610-929-2151.
Media coverage is welcomed.
WHAT: Sen. Judy Schwank to hold FAFSA Preparation Seminar
WHEN: 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 14
WHERE: Sen. Schwank’s district office, 210 George St., Reading, Suite 201
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October 7, 2014
HARRISBURG, Oct. 7, 2014 – Sen. Judy Schwank will host her annual “College Financial Aid Awareness Night” from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, at Muhlenberg High School.
The free event will include presentations by Schwank and financial aid experts from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, or PHEAA, and Reading Area Community College.
“With the cost of postsecondary education continuing to rise, it is vitally important for students and parents to understand the financial aid resources that are available to them,” said Sen. Schwank. “Our expert presenters will provide families with information on planning for college, the types of assistance that are available, and how to apply for student aid.”
Additional information is available by contacting Schwank’s Reading District office, 610-929-2151.
Media coverage is invited.
WHO: Sen. Judy Schwank, PHEAA, Reading Area Community College
WHAT: “College Financial Aid Awareness Night”
WHEN: 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9
WHERE: Muhlenberg High School, 400 Sharp Ave., Reading
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More information on Sen. Schwank is available on her website, Facebook and Twitter.
April 22, 2014
READING, April 22, 2014 – Students planning to attend college or return to a post-secondary institution and need help paying for it have until May 1 to apply for a state grant through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, or PHEAA, state Sen. Judy Schwank said today.
“Earning a college degree is one of the best ways to get ahead in the work world but getting to college is not always the most affordable,” Schwank (D-Berks) said. “PHEAA can make it possible, but students and families who have yet to apply for financial aid have just nine days to do so.
According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average unemployment rate for Bachelor’s degree recipients was 4 percent while the average unemployment rate for high school graduates was 7.5 percent. People who have less than a high school diploma suffer a jobless rate of 11 percent.
In terms of salary, the bureau said median weekly earnings for a person with a Bachelor’s degree was $1,108, $651 for a high school graduate and $472 for workers who did not graduate from high school.
To become eligible for a state grant through PHEAA, Schwank said applicants must first complete the 2014-15 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Applicants can access both applications through the PHEAA website: www.pheaa.org.
“The time and energy you invest in your education will pay dividends in the future,” Schwank said. “I started as a teacher and worked for many years as an educator and director with the Penn State Agriculture Extension Office and served as a Dean at Delaware Valley College. I know that the power of a good education transforms lives.”
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October 11, 2011
READING, Oct. 11, 2011— Students who suffered severe losses as a result of the recent flooding from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee may be entitled to state grant award reconsideration from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), according to state Sen. Judy Schwank.
“Many families were devastated by September’s flooding,” Schwank said. “As families with college students continue to recover, I encourage them to apply for this special reconsideration from PHEAA. It could provide families with significant financial relief from higher education costs.”
PHEAA gives special consideration to a student’s state grant application when it is determined that the family’s ability to finance educational costs has been reduced as a result of losses incurred due to flooding, as well as other disasters like fires or other unforeseeable circumstances.
A Casualty Loss Form is now available online at www.pheaa.org/casualty-loss. Individuals may also call 1-800-692-7392 for more information.
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