HARRISBURG — In honor and recognition of Military Appreciation Month, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) encourages veterans, service members and their families to take advantage of the financial aid opportunities available to them, especially through the PA Military State Aid Programs.

“These programs were established to ease the financial burden of the cost of higher education for service members,” said Sen. Wayne Fontana, chairman of the PHEAA Board of Directors. “In addition, there are benefits that extend to their dependents. In appreciation for their service, it is our honor to provide access to meaningful financial aid assistance to aid them in achieving their future goals.”

In partnership with the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), PHEAA administers the PA National Guard Military Family Education Program (MFEP), which is a tuition assistance program for dependents (spouses and children) of Pennsylvania Guard Members who commit to an additional 6 years of service with the Pennsylvania National Guard. The MFEP grant can be used for a degree-granting curriculum, a certificate-granting course of study, or training programs required for entrance into a specific career, for up to 5 academic years.

PA Guard Members can assign the entire benefit to one dependent or a portion of the benefit to more than one dependent. In addition, a spouse can use the assigned MFEP benefit up to 6 years after the member’s separation from the PA National Guard, and children can use the assigned MFEP benefit before reaching 26 years of age.

Applications may be submitted through Account Access on pheaa.org. For more information, visit pheaa.org/MFEP or contact the PA National Guard at 800-GO-GUARD.

PHEAA also administers PA National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP) in collaboration with the PA DMVA, for members of the PA National Guard. This program provides financial assistance for students who enter into a 6-year service commitment with the PA National Guard.

Recipients must attend a Pennsylvania school, enroll in an approved program of study, and maintain at least part-time enrollment. Students with a bachelor’s degree can still be eligible for a part-time award toward another credential.
The maximum EAP benefit is determined annually based on the in-state tuition rate plus technology fee charged at a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) school. Applications may be submitted through Account Access on PHEAA.org. For more information, visit pheaa.org/EAP or contact the PA National Guard at 800-GO-GUARD.

“We’re pleased to be instrumental in offering financial aid and tuition benefits to our military personnel and their families,” said James Steeley, PHEAA president and CEO. “Our service members have demonstrated a tremendous commitment and sacrifice and we want to help them in any way we can. An affordable education will continue to serve them and their families.”

Additional resources on funding opportunities available to service members and their families can be found at pheaa.org/militarybenefits.