Planning to go to college in Pennsylvania next year, and I’m searching for scholarships and grants to help with the cost. What are the top resources or organizations I should check out for financial aid in PA?
It's fantastic that you're exploring all your options for financial aid. Here are some Pennsylvania-specific resources you could explore:
1. Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA): This is the main provider of state grants in Pennsylvania. It administers the Pennsylvania State Grant program and other state-funded student aid programs. You'll need to fill out the FAFSA to be considered for these state grants.
2. Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP): PA-TIP provides scholarships for students attending approved programs in many high demand fields such as energy, advanced materials and diversified manufacturing, and agriculture and food production.
3. Institutional Scholarships: Does your chosen college provide any scholarships or grants? Sometimes, in-state students are eligible for additional assistance. For example, the University of Pennsylvania offers grant-based financial aid packages to in-state students, which significantly reduces their costs.
4. Local Scholarships: Organizations or businesses in your local community might offer scholarships for local students. For example, the Pittsburgh Foundation has a variety of scholarships available for residents of the Pittsburgh area.
5. Industry or Major-Based Scholarships: If you've chosen a major, look for Pennsylvania scholarships related to that subject. For example, the Pennsylvania Engineering Foundation offers scholarships to engineering students.
6. Appily: This platform lets you search for scholarships based on aspects like your GPA, extracurricular activities, and intended field of study.
So, definitely make use of these resources, but don't forget to apply for nationwide scholarships as well—every little bit can help reduce your college costs. Good luck with your scholarship search!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.