Grants, Loans, Scholarships

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Grants

FEDERAL PELL GRANT

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 financial need as determined by the federal government. Grant amount is 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.

PHEAA STATE GRANT

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 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.

Loans - Important New Infomation

South Hills is Switching to the Direct Student Loan Program

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.

Instructions on how to apply for your Student and Parent Direct Loans will be posted early June.

Scholarships

SOUTH HILLS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP

South Hills School of Business & Technology will offer a maximum of eight new scholarships each year. There are four scholarships awarded at State College, two at Altoona, one at Lewistown, and one at Philipsburg.

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 total tuition, the SHSBT Scholarship will be limited to that amount. The scholarship will be awarded each term the student maintains eligibility. It will not be awarded retroactively. Qualifications are as follows:

• Students must show academic potential by meeting the school’s regular admissions requirements.
• Students must prove financial need, which will be set by the scholarship committee each year.
• Students must be enrolled fulltime in a program of study.

Students meeting the guideline must submit a letter of application to the school Director indicating why he/she feels that he/she should receive a scholarship no later than December 20 of the current academic year. Students receiving a scholarship must

• Maintain a “C” average in each term.
• Maintain fulltime enrollment
• Maintain acceptable behavior while in attendance at South Hills School of Business & Technology

Students may only apply for a scholarship after satisfactorily completing their initial (first) term at South Hills School. Currently enrolled students may apply for scholarship funds at any time during their training, but the deadline for the current academic year is December 20.

The school Director will notify each applicant of the committee’s decision within thirty days of the above deadline.

NEW ECONOMY TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship provides up to $1,000 per year based on total educational costs for a full-time student.
Eligibility requirements:

• Must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Must be enrolled in the Engineering Technology (Code 653), Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 6 or 9 term, (Code 548), Computer Information Systems Program (Code 599), Administrative Professional (Code 596), or Graphic Arts (Code 581).
• Student must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average after completion of the first year received.
• Be employed in an approved site within one year of graduation and agree to work in Pennsylvania one year for each year you received the scholarship.
• Scholarship will turn into a loan if you do not meet the eligibility requirements.
• Applications for this scholarship may be completed online at www.pheaa.org.
• Applications must be received by PHEAA no later than December 31 of the school year for which you are applying

OTHER POSSIBLE SOURCES OF SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION INCLUDE:

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

AGENCY FUNDING

• 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.