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Scam Alert!

Phone and text scams are currently underway targeting Erie residents and possibly other Pennsylvania residents offering “Pennsylvania Loan Forgiveness”. If you are contacted from someone stating:

“We are reaching out to you because your student loan has been flagged for the Pennsylvania forgiveness program. You are eligible to receive full forgiveness. This applies to all Pennsylvania residents. Please call our office back at (717) 573-8721 to be connected to your loan counselor. Again, that number is (717) 573-8721. Thank you.”

This is a scam! You should contact your loan servicer directly for any questions about legitimate loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, if you have been contacted about a loan forgiveness scam, a complaint may be filed with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

2025-26 PA State Grant Update

The first step to apply for the 2025-26 PA State Grant is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) at StudentAid.gov. The FAFSA must be submitted by the deadline in order to be eligible for a PA State Grant.

Once you submit the FAFSA, PHEAA will trigger the next step in the PA State Grant process. Renewal students shouldn't have any other actions to take. First-time applicants must complete additional forms; we will email you when it's time to sign in and supply the needed information. We will let students and schools know when we send these emails by updating our website and social media channels. Follow PHEAA for continued updates.

Apply Now!

or call 1-844-PAFORWD

Other Educational Aid

PA Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver (FosterEd) Program

The FosterEd Program waives tuition and mandatory fees charged by most postsecondary institutions in the Commonwealth for youth who are or were in foster care.

This waiver covers charges that remain after other gift aid (federal, state, and other scholarships or grants) is applied to the eligible student's account.

You must complete the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) and PA State Grant application items in the PA State Grant System to qualify for this award. After completing your FAFSA, you will receive an email from PHEAA to activate your account.

Am I Eligible?

To be considered for a FosterEd waiver, you must:

File a 2024-25 FAFSA
File PA State Grant items for the award year in which you requested the waiver
Be a Pennsylvania resident
Have not reached age 26 by July 1 of the upcoming academic year in which the waiver will be awarded
Have graduated from high school