Grow PA Tuition Waiver
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA)
In-state tuition at PASSHE universities for out-of-state students in in-demand majors who agree to live and work in Pennsylvania after graduating.
- How much
- In-state tuition rate at a PASSHE university (waives the out-of-state tuition difference)
- Who qualifies
- Must be an OUT-OF-STATE resident (PA residents use the Grow PA Scholarship Grant instead). First-year student or prior-year waiver recipient; high school GPA 2.5+; full-time, in-person at a PASSHE university in an approved program; no bachelor's degree; satisfactory academic progress; sign a Master Promissory Note and live/work in PA afterward.
- For students starting college, undergrads
- For in-demand occupations (460+ eligible CIP-coded programs) students
- When to apply
- Open now · due October 1, 2027 Annual; the 2027-28 application is posted and due October 1, 2027.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA
- Complete the Grow PA Tuition Waiver Application (includes a Master Promissory Note) and upload it in PHEAA Account Access: File Upload > PA Special Programs > Grow PA Tuition Waiver Application
- Contact your PASSHE school's financial aid office with questions
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (pheaa.org), page 2 and page 3
The details
Out-of-state students at a PA State System (PASSHE) university pay the in-state tuition rate (other fees stay at the out-of-state rate) for up to 4 academic years, if enrolled full-time, in person, in one of 460+ eligible programs leading to in-demand occupations. After graduation recipients must live and work in PA in a qualifying occupation 12 months for each year of waiver received; otherwise the waiver converts to a loan repaid with interest.
More money from Pennsylvania
- PA Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP)up to $6,000 (currently), or unmet need if less
- Pennsylvania State Grantup to $6,000 per year (2026-27 maximum)
- PA Ready to Succeed Scholarship (RTSS)up to $3,000 full-time / $1,500 part-time in total RTSS + PA State Grant awards (2026-27); minimum $500
- Pennsylvania Internship Program (PIP) at The Washington Center$4,000-$11,000 per term depending on school type and term (anticipated 2027); short-term programs up to $2,500
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, West Virginia
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.