HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) encourages Pennsylvania students who are planning to enroll in a community college, a designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institution, a business, trade, or technical school, a hospital school of nursing, or a 2-year program that is not transferable to another institution to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) by Aug. 1, to be considered for a PA State Grant award.

“The journey to higher education can follow many different paths,” said Senator Wayne Fontana, chairman of the PHEAA board of directors. “A student may find that the right path for their situation includes a community college program, a nursing program, or a trade school, depending upon their career choice. If they need financial assistance in affording their education, they should submit their FAFSA before Aug. 1.”

“The PA State Grant Program is a need-based grant that does not need to be repaid,” explained James Steeley, PHEAA President & CEO. “It is important that students exhaust every opportunity for gift aid, such as a grant, before turning to borrowing student loans.”

The PA State Grant Program uses the FAFSA form as its primary application point to determine student eligibility for a PA State Grant award. If a student has not yet completed their 2025-26 FAFSA, they are strongly encouraged to do so prior to the Aug. 1 PA State Grant filing deadline. Once the FAFSA is submitted, students needing to complete the PA State Grant application items, or supply any supplemental documentation, will have until the academic year student reconsideration deadline (April 1, 2026, for the 2025-26 award year). Students will be unable to submit their PA State Grant application if they have not submitted their FAFSA.

If a student misses the Aug. 1 filing deadline, for any reason, they are still encouraged to apply. Late applications (other than for the PA State Grant summer term) will be reviewed for the federal student aid programs and possible PA State Grant consideration, if funds are available.