Next Steps for Your PA State Grant Application

After completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), follow these steps to apply for state aid like the PA State Grant and other special programs.

If you have not completed the FAFSA or activated your PA State Grant System account, you will not be able to apply for the PA State Grant.

Students

The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is now open to all students.

STEP 1: ACCESS THE PA STATE GRANT SYSTEM

We'll do most of the work for you! The U.S. Department of Education will automatically send your FAFSA data to PHEAA and we will upload it into the PA State Grant System.

Check your email: The email you use to complete your FAFSA is where we'll contact you, so be sure to monitor that inbox!

Once we process your data, first-time applicants will get an email from NoReply@grantus.pheaa.org with instructions to create a password and activate your PA State Grant System account. To complete your account activation, you will select a password and complete multifactor authentication via email or text message (if there is a phone number associated with your account).

Returning students or renewal applicants can access the PA State Grant System by signing in.

STEP 2: COMPLETE REQUIRED FORMS

First-Time Applicants: Fill out the State Grant Form and High School Form, which will appear under Action Items in the PA State Grant System. Complete these forms as soon as possible.

Renewal Applicants: You usually don't need to fill out any forms. If more information is needed, we'll email you instructions.

STEP 3: STAY UP TO DATE

Monitor your email and account! When there is an update or if we require additional information, we'll email you to sign in to the PA State Grant System. Make sure your email address is up to date to receive these updates on time.

You should also update your first-choice school on the FAFSA once you decide where you want to attend. That way, we can send your award estimate to the right place and your school can give you a more accurate financial aid offer.

Renewal students and transfer students must make sure the school displayed in the PA State Grant System matches where you actually plan to attend.

STEP 4: DEADLINES

The application deadlines for the PA State Grant may vary based on your situation. Be sure to check the deadlines and submit everything on time to avoid missing out on aid.

NEXT STEPS FOR OTHER SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Some programs, like the PA Targeted Industry Program and Chafee Education and Training Grant Program may require additional forms. Explore Funding Opportunities, Grants, or Loans from the main menu. You'll discover state and federally funded programs, as well as programs for students in the PA National Guard.

Need Help?

Don't worry—PHEAA will automatically trigger the next step in the PA State Grant process. Renewal students shouldn't have any other actions to take, but first-time applicants will need to complete additional forms. We will email you when it's time to sign in and supply the needed information.

We will also keep students and schools informed on our website and social media channels. Follow PHEAA for ongoing updates.

HELP WITH AWARD & ACCOUNT UPDATES

We will communicate award updates through your PA State Grant System account. That means you will get an email from the PA State Grant System that provides more information or asks you to sign in.

If we need more information to assess your eligibility, we will send another email asking you to sign in to the PA State Grant System and review our request.

We're here to help you every step of the way. Be sure to check your email and PA State Grant System account regularly to stay on top of your application!

HELP UPDATING YOUR FAFSA®

If you need to make changes to your FAFSA, sign in to StudentAid.gov to update it. We will automatically receive the new information.

Parents & Contributors

If your parent, stepparent, spouse, or guardian contributed information to the FAFSA, they may need to provide additional information for us to evaluate your eligibility for the PA State Grant Program.

We will notify you through the PA State Grant System if we need additional information from your contributors.

Parents and contributors will only have access to view and adjust the information we specifically requested in the PA State Grant System. They will not have access to view or adjust any other information on behalf of the student.