The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is reminding students and families the 2018-2019 PA state grant application filing deadline is May 1. This deadline applies to all renewal applicants and first-time applicants who plan to enroll in colleges, universities, or a college transfer program at 2-year public or private colleges (except community colleges and designated Pennsylvania open admission institutions).

To apply for a PA state grant, applicants must first complete the 2018-2019 Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Applicants can access this form online at PHEAA.org/FAFSA or fafsa.gov. Completing the FAFSA® online saves time and reduces application and processing errors.

In addition to completing the FAFSA®, first-time applicants must also submit a completed PA state grant form. First-time applicants who submit the FAFSA® online will be automatically redirected to the SGF by following the onscreen prompts on the confirmation page. First-time applicants who have already submitted their FAFSA® but have not completed the SGF will receive an email directing them to PHEAA’s secure account access site for completion. Both applications are free to submit.

Information provided by applicants when submitting an online FAFSA® is automatically applied to portions of the SGF to increase accuracy and convenience.

“The PA state grant program is a financial lifeline for many college-bound students who are struggling to pay for school,” Rep. Mike Peifer, R-139th, PHEAA board chairman, said. “Since the program is need-based, it provides the greatest benefits to those who have the most financial need – and unlike a student loan, a grant is gift aid which does not need to be repaid.”

First-time applicants who plan to enroll in a community college, business, trade or technical school, a hospital school of nursing, a designated Pennsylvania open admission institution, or a non-transferable 2-year degree program at a community, 2-year or 4-year college have until Aug. 1 to complete their PA state grant application.

“When paying for college, students should always take advantage of all available gift aid, such as grants and scholarships, before taking out a student loan,” Sen. Wayne D. Fontana, D-42nd, PHEAA board vice chairman, said. “With the PA state grant deadline approaching on May 1, students should not miss this opportunity to make their education more affordable while avoiding the burden of unnecessary student loan debt.”

2018-2019 is also the first year students enrolled in otherwise eligible distance education courses will be able to participate in the PA state grant program. Previously, state law prohibited DE students, as defined by taking more than 50 percent of their coursework online, from participating in the program. Recognizing DE had become an effective and widely-used method to receive a postsecondary education, especially in rural areas, the general assembly amended the law to be more responsive to the needs of today’s students.

Students and families are encouraged to visit PHEAA on Facebook, at facebook.com/pheaa.aid, where they can learn more about the higher education financial aid process, reminders of financial aid deadlines and information pertaining to planning for higher education. Additionally, video tutorials explaining the student aid process and types of aid available can be found at YouTube.com/PHEAAstudentAid.