PA Ready to Succeed Scholarship (RTSS)
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA)
Apply any timeRenews each year
Up to $3,000 (full-time) for high-achieving Pennsylvania students with family income up to $208,000, nominated by their college.
- How much
- up to $3,000 full-time / $1,500 part-time in total RTSS + PA State Grant awards (2026-27); minimum $500
- Who qualifies
- Must meet all PA State Grant eligibility rules except financial need. Completed at least 1 academic year (24+ semester credits) and a cumulative GPA of 2.50+ when the school checks PA State Grant academic progress (GPA minimum may change). Family income no more than $208,000 (threshold may change yearly). Must attend a participating RTSS school and be nominated by it.
- For undergrads
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- When to apply
- Apply any time FAFSA-driven; no student deadline. Awards go first-come, first-served by FAFSA completion date; schools nominate each year.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA as early as possible (it opens October 1) and complete your PA State Grant application items in GrantUs
- Ask your financial aid office about an RTSS nomination
- There is no separate student application
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application + school nomination
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (pheaa.org), page 2 and page 3
The details
Merit-plus-income award that works together with the PA State Grant: in combination, the two can cover up to $3,000 for full-time students and $1,500 for part-time students in 2026-27 (minimum award $500). Students do not apply separately; participating colleges nominate students who meet the criteria. Funding is limited and awarded first-come, first-served by FAFSA completion date, so some eligible nominees may not be funded.
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)
- 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.