Pennsylvania State Grant

Need-based grant of up to $6,000 a year for Pennsylvania undergraduates (2026-27).

How much

up to $6,000 per year (2026-27 maximum)

Who qualifies

• Pennsylvania resident/domiciliary (12 consecutive months before the deadline if 18+, not counting time in PA for school); high school graduate, GED or other approved credential; at least half-time (6+ credits/semester) in an approved program at least 2 academic years long at a PHEAA-approved school; no bachelor's degree yet; satisfactory academic progress (no GPA minimum); not in default on an education loan. Online-heavy programs at schools not headquartered in PA need at least 50% classroom instruction. Veterans are considered without regard to family finances.
• For students starting college, undergrads
• Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.

When to apply

Opens later Annual. FAFSA due May 1 before the academic year for first-time applicants at 4-year/2-year private colleges and for all renewal applicants; August 1 for first-time applicants at community colleges, designated PA open-admission schools, business/trade/technical schools, hospital schools of nursing or non-transferable 2-year programs; Summer PA State Grant application due September 1. Late applications may be funded if money remains.

How to apply

1. File the FAFSA by the deadline
2. PHEAA emails a link to activate a GrantUs account
3. First-time applicants then complete the PA State Grant Form and High School Form in GrantUs
4. Most renewal students only need the FAFSA
5. Summer-term students submit the separate Summer PA State Grant application in GrantUs by September 1

What you'll need

FAFSA + state application

Last checked

October 5, 2026, against the official page (pheaa.org), page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5 and page 6