While the College adheres to the principle that students and their families have the primary responsibility to pay for college costs as their means permit, financial assistance programs represent a bridge between a family’s ability to pay and the cost of higher education. The Financial Aid Office administers many types of financial assistance including federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs to help students meet their educational costs.
About Financial Aid Awards
Most financial aid awards are made on the basis of financial need. A student’s financial need is determined by deducting the student’s expected family contribution (EFC) from the cost of attendance. The EFC is an index number that is used to determine eligibility for financial aid and is the result of the student completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To qualify for financial aid, the student must meet the following criteria:
- demonstrate financial need (for most programs);
- be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
- have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);
- be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
- be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds;
- maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school;
- sign the certification statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form stating that
- you are not in default on a federal student loan,
- you do not owe money on a federal student grant, and
- you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes; and
- show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by
- having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate; or
- completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law (or-if state law does not require a homeschooled student to obtain a completion credential-completing a high school education in a homeschool setting that qualifies as an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law)
- At Penn Highlands, students who reside Out of State must be taking at least one in-person course.
Other requirements may apply. Contact the Financial Aid Office at Pennsylvania Highlands for more information.
Financial aid comes in two different forms: gift aid and self-help aid. Gift aid includes grants and scholarships and does not require repayment. Self-help aid must be earned or paid back. It includes student loans and federal work-study. Students who choose to receive loans must pay them back with interest. Students who participate in the Federal Work Study program must work to earn a paycheck to receive any benefit. The majority of our funds are provided through federal, state, and institutional programs. Institutional scholarships are awarded based on merit, financial need, or other factors including enrollment in specific programs.
Our Staff
Ashley Krinjeck
Director of Student Financial Services
Mary Hattaway
Financial Aid and Military Benefits Coordinator
Linda Wess
Financial Aid Specialist
Melissa Zukus
Financial Aid Assistant