PHEAA outlines Grow PA grants, teacher and nurse aid, PATH matching for Pennsylvania students

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) highlighted several funding programs for Pennsylvania students during a recorded "Higher Education Access Corner" segment, including the Grow PA grant, a student-teacher support program, Pennsylvania Student Loan Relief for Nurses and the PATH scholarship match.

Tiffany DeVann, a PHEAA higher education access partner and co-host of the segment, said the programs are intended to draw students into in-demand occupations and keep them working in Pennsylvania. "You do have an agreement that you have to stick to," DeVann said, adding that failing to meet program commitments "would turn into a student loan."

Deanna Brown, the co-host and a PHEAA higher education access partner, outlined the Grow PA grant’s basic limits: "Students can get a maximum award of a $5,000 grant, up to a maximum of 4 academic years," she said. Brown also said more than 460 programs or majors have been identified as eligible under the initiative and that the program is administered on a first-come, first-served basis.

PHEAA staff described other targeted supports: a Pennsylvania Student Teacher Support Program aimed at encouraging teachers, Pennsylvania Student Loan Relief for Nurses, and a number of special grants including a blind or deaf beneficiary grant. The agency also described PATH (Partnerships for Access to Higher Education), a scholarship-match program; DeVann said PHEAA "could possibly do a dollar for dollar match up to a maximum of $5,000" for PATH-nominated students who meet the program’s qualifications.

Officials emphasized that completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a prerequisite for some state awards. "In order to be considered for the Pennsylvania state grant, you must first complete the FAFSA application," DeVann said, noting that PHEAA will contact students by the email they list on the FAFSA with follow-up instructions. The presenters urged students to check PHEAA’s website and to create an account now so they can complete state grant forms when announced.

PHEAA repeatedly directed listeners to pheaa.org for full eligibility rules and application deadlines, and reminded students and families to pay attention to school priority deadlines for aid.

The segment did not include formal votes or policy enactments; presenters described program rules and application procedures and encouraged prospective applicants to review official materials on PHEAA’s website.