The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form is your application for a Federal Pell Grant. Pell grants are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need as determined by the federal government. The amounts are determined by the student’s “Expected Family Contribution” (EFC), which is indicated on the Student Aid Report (SAR) that you receive after filing the FAFSA.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Having earned less than a bachelor degree
2. Having graduated from high school or earned a GED
3. Enrolling at least half-time in a program of study
4. Not be in default on prior student loans

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The State Grant Program provides grant aid to applicants who demonstrate financial need. To be considered for a PHEAA State Grant you must meet the following criteria:

• Have earned less than a bachelor degree
• Have financial need as determined by the submission of a FAFSA and a PHEAA status form
• Graduated from high school or earned a GED
• Be enrolled in a two-or three-year program
• Be a resident of Pennsylvania for the past year
• Made progress at prior institution(s) if you received a PHEAA State Grant

Filing deadlines for incoming students, present students, and transfer students who have not previously applied for or received a PHEAA State Grant is August 1. For students who are present recipients of a PHEAA State Grant the deadline is May 1. Deadline can be met by completing the FAFSA application by the designated due date at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Additional information on the PHEAA state grant can be found at the PHEAA website www.pheaa.org.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: The ACG program ends June 30, 2011.

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Updated April 20, 2010

Beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year South Hills School of Business & Technology is joining thousands of other U.S. colleges and universities in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Program. Lending through the Federal Family of Education Loan Program is no longer available.

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South Hills School of Business & Technology will offer a maximum of eight new scholarships each school year. There are four scholarships awarded at State College, two at Altoona, and one at Lewistown. The scholarship is valued at 25 percent of the cost of tuition. It is given to those students who demonstrate economic hardship and would benefit from this scholarship. Scholarships are granted without regard to race, color, creed, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or national origin.

A student meeting the following qualifications for the scholarship must submit a letter of application to the Scholarship Committee for review. The application deadline is December 20. Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision within thirty (30) days of the application deadline.

Qualifications for the SHSBT Scholarship are as follows:

1.		At the time of application, students must be enrolled fulltime in a diploma or degree program of study.
2.		Students must have completed a minimum of one full term of study at the time of application.
3.		Students must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade-point average in each term.
4.		The student’s financial records must prove financial need which is determined by the Scholarship Committee.
5.		Students must have completed a FAFSA in a timely fashion and submitted forms for any applicable state and Federal grants.
6.		Submit a formally typed letter of application (1-2 pages) that indicates the applicant’s name, program and year of study, educational and career goals. The applicant should state how receiving the school scholarship would benefit him/her in his/her pursuit of the stated goals. Other information pertinent for review by the committee is additionally welcome in the application letter.

The scholarship is valued at 25 percent of tuition. If the balance of tuition due after applying grants, agency sponsorship, and/or other scholarships is less than 25 percent of the total tuition, the SHSBT scholarship will be limited to that amount.

The scholarship will be credited retroactively to the first term of the school year in which the scholarship is granted. It will be credited to the recipient’s account on a term-by-term basis through graduation when eligibility is maintained. The school scholarship will be permanently forfeited when eligibility is lost. Students should refer to the current student planner for the requirements of maintaining the scholarship.

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• www.collegeboard.org
• www.educationplanner.org
• www.fastweb.com
• www.finaid.org
• www.nasfaa.org
• www.pheaa.org
• studentaid.ed.gov - Tools and Resources

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• WIA (Workforce Investment Act) –The Pennsylvania CareerLink System offers assistance and other supportive services to economically disadvantaged people, adult learners, dislocated workers, and youth. Log onto the CareerLink website at www.paCareerLink.state.pa.us to find the CareerLink office nearest you.
• OVR (Office of Vocational Rehabilitation) - Offers assistance to persons with disabilities. Contact your area CareerLink Office to find the OVR representative nearest you.
• Department of Public Welfare - If you are currently receiving services from the Department of Public Welfare, you may be eligible for school benefits. Contact your area office for information.
• TAA (Trade Adjustment Assistance) - Available to workers who may have lost their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of increased imports. Contact your area CareerLink office to talk to a Trade representative.
• VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) - A variety of education benefits is available to you if you are a veteran. Visit our veterans' information page or log onto www.va.gov for additional information.

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