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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

Postsecondary Schools

PA Ready to Succeed Scholarship (RTSS) Program Schools

The PA Ready to Succeed Scholarship (RTSS) Program is administered by PHEAA in close cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The program, which is funded by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, provides awards to high-achieving students whose annual family income does not exceed $175,000.

The RTSS Program, in combination with the PA State Grant Program, provides scholarships to high academic achievers to cover the cost of attendance. Up to $2,500 for full-time and $1,250 for part-time students in total awards were offered in the 2023-24 academic year. The minimum award was $500.

Institutions must be approved for participation in the RTSS Program. Each institution interested in participating in RTSS for the award year must:

Be approved for participation in the PA State Grant Program as of June 30
Be domiciled and headquartered with its principal location in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Submit the RTSS Program Institutional Application by Au