College Planning and Financial Aid Resources for Pennsylvania Residents

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College Planning and Financial Aid Resources

Pennsylvania Resources:

The Pennsylvania Department of Education does not administer student financial aid programs via grants, loans and scholarships. The following financial aid information is offered for information only. It does not warrant these sites. Such authority is statutorily vested with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA ). Questions and complaints about student loans should be directed to PHEAA (800-692-7392).

Academic Competitiveness and SMART Grants - Federal Academic Competitiveness and SMART grants are available to Pell Grant - eligible seniors who have completed rigorous high school coursework as defined by the state and recognized by the US Department of Education (USDOE).

College Profiles -- Each College/University Profile includes tuition, room and board charges, fall enrollments, residency of first-time freshmen, degrees conferred and fall staff for all Pennsylvania colleges and universities. The data is gathered annually as part of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).


Horace Mann Bond-Leslie Pinckney Hill Scholarship Program - The scholarship is awarded annually to Lincoln University and Cheyney University graduates who are admitted to eligible programs at the University of Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania State University or Temple University.

New Economy Technology Scholarships -- The Pennsylvania New Economy Technology Scholarship (NETS) Program provides scholarships for Pennsylvania students who are pursuing higher education and training in science and technology fields.

Online Directory of PA Higher Education Institutions -- The Education Names and Address (EdNA) system can be used to find names, addresses, administrators, institutional websites, and other related information about the higher education institutions that PDE serves. Look under link for "Websites..." and scroll down to Higher Education, there you should search by county or by educational type.

PA Tuition Account Program -- This program offers a way to purchase tomorrow's tuition today.

PHEAA -- The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency's interactive web site has resources for students, parents and borrowers, including information on grants and loans. A PHEAA toolkit helps you calculate your savings needs, federal expected parental contribution, and loan repayment schedules.

State System of Higher Education -- The State System of Higher Education comprises 14 universities, four branch campuses, the McKeever Environmental Learning Center, and Dixon University Center. The purpose, as outlined in Act 188, is "...to provide high quality education at the lowest possible cost to students." The System universities, located in rural, suburban, and small-town settings throughout Pennsylvania, educate more students per year than any other higher educational institution in the state.

Students with Disabilities -- The Students with Disabilities web site has resources that should help both students and their families by providing information on general resources, legal resources, financial aid resources, and technology for special needs to help with both physical and learning disabilities.

Other Resources:

Career Education - Directory of career education schools including continuing education, adult education, online degrees, professional, trade, and vocational schools and colleges. Search this network of schools and request free information.

College Board Online -- Search for a college, learn about financial aid, register for the SAT, and educate yourself.

College Is Possible -- A resource guide for parents, students and education professionals. Includes information on preparing for college, choosing the right college, paying for college.

Fast Aid -- A college scholarship database.

FastWeb -- Used by colleges across the United States, this site offers a customized search of more than 180,000 scholarships, fellowships, grants and loans.

Federal Student Aid -- Federal Student Aid Programs are the largest source of student aid in America, providing over $60 billion a year in grants, loans, and work-study assistance. Here you'll find help for every stage of the financial aid process, whether you're in school or out of school.
FinAid - Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid -- Calculators and information about all types of aid.

GovLoans.gov -- An interagency E-Gov initiative led by the U.S. Department of Education, launched in April 2004. Includes information about federal student loans. The Office of the Ombudsman assists with concerns about loans; call toll free at 1-877-557-2575.

Mapping Your Future -- This site provides information on careers, colleges and financial aid for high school students.

Petersons.com -- Information on financing education.

Scholarship Resource Network Express -- A one-stop resource for financial aid.

Scholarships.com -- College scholarship search and financial aid resource.

Student Financial Assistance - US Department of Education -- Information about several major student aid programs, including Pell Grants and Stafford Loans, administered by the US DOE.

Student Guide for Financial Aid -- The Student Guide is the most comprehensive resource on student financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education

Students.Gov -- A clearinghouse of government information for students in high school or higher education. Includes information on college preparation, financing college, careers, etc.

The Princeton Review -- Explore Schools, Raise your Scores, Online Applications, Pay for School, Free Roadmap to College Seminars, Free Practice Tests, Search for Scholarships, News and Advice.

Upromise -- Sign up for Upromise and pay off your education loan faster.