Grants
More than half of all HACC students qualify for federal and state grants, and many receive enough to cover their entire tuition. Grants do not have to be repaid.
The Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and the Pennsylvania State Grant Program are just some of the need-based grant funding options you may be eligible to receive. To find out if you’re eligible, begin by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and listing HACC using school code 003273.
Federal Pell and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
The Federal Pell Grant program provides grants for students with the greatest financial need. Eligibility is determined by the Student Aid Index (SAI) and the number of credits you are enrolled in. Pell Grants are limited to up to the equivalent of six years of full-time enrollment.
Some Pell Grant recipients may also be eligible for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). Priority is given to students who have exceptional financial need.
PA State Grant Program
The state of Pennsylvania provides additional grant funding for eligible students. To find out if you are eligible for PA State Grants, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list HACC first as your school using school code 003273. First-time applicants will receive an email from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) with instructions on how to fill out the PA State Grant Form and High School Form. Renewal students only need to fill out the FAFSA.
For more information about Pennsylvania State Grants and other special programs, visit pheaa.org/.
Other Grant Programs
- Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship - For Pell Grant-eligible students whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer
- Blind or Deaf Higher Education Beneficiary Grant Program - For blind or deaf students
- Chaffee Grant and PA Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program (FosterEd) - For students who were in foster care
- PATH Program - For eligible students with demonstrated financial need
- Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program - For students whose parent lost their life while working as a first responder
Learn more about the PA State Grant and special programs administered by PHEAA.
If you are attending HACC, we must be listed first on your FAFSA in order for you to receive the PA State Grant at our school. If you listed another school as the first choice, you must update this information on your own. Go to www.pheaa.org and log into Account Access. If you have never used Account Access, you will need to create a user name and password.
HACC’s school code is 003273.
Am I eligible for a PA State Grant?
The Pennsylvania State Grant Program has their own policies regarding eligibility. An overview of the State Grant eligibility requirements can be found here (pdf). The program is administered by PHEAA, so further information can be found at https://www.pheaa.org/.
Do developmental courses count towards the six credit hour requirement?
Developmental courses may not count toward the six credit hour requirement.
How would I lose the PA State Grant? The Pennsylvania State Grant Program has their own policies regarding academic progress. The program is administered by PHEAA, so further information can be found at https://www.pheaa.org/
How do I apply for a PA State Grant?
File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year and submit the PHEAA Application on https://www.pheaa.org/ by the May 1 deadline.
Students who have submitted the appropriate year’s FAFSA can be considered for a Summer PA State Grant by submitting a separate application on the PHEAA website.
How can I learn more about the PA State Grant Program?
Visit http://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/state-grant-program/index.shtml.
What are special programs?
PHEAA and community partners have developed other programs. These programs can assist you with educational costs. Some of these programs include:
- Blind or Deaf Higher Education Beneficiary Grant Program - for blind or deaf students
- Chaffee Grant - for students who were in foster care
- PATH Program - for eligible students with demonstrated need
- Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program - for students whose parent lost their life while performing their duties as a “first responder”
Where can I get more information about special programs?
Visit http://www.pheaa.org/ for more information about PA special programs.
What is a Federal Pell Grant?
A federal program that provides grants for undergraduate students with the greatest financial need and who have not received a bachelor degree. The government determines your Federal Pell Grant eligibility by:
- Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
- The number of credits you are enrolled in at HACC
The Pell Grant has a limit to the total number of years a student may receive the grant which is up to the equivalent of 6 years of full time enrollment.
What is the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)?
A campus-based program that provides grant assistance to undergraduate students with need. Priority is given to students who have exceptional financial need and are Federal Pell Grant recipients.
The Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program, is associated with Pennsylvania’s John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood and provides assistance to students who are, or were, in foster care. Eligible students may receive a waiver of remaining tuition and mandatory fees after all other gift aid (grants and/or scholarships) has been applied to the student’s account.
For full information on eligibility requirements and the application process, please refer to the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) website.
HACC's FosterEd Point of Contact is:
Stephen Helfrich
Financial Aid Specialist
swhelfri@hacc.edu
717-801-3236