Pennsylvania's 2010-11 Student Aid Guide is Now Available
Students and families can access the Guide online at PHEAA.org
Harrisburg, PA (August 24, 2009) - The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) today announced the availability of its 2010-11 Student Aid Guide. The Guide is Pennsylvania's most comprehensive financial aid planning publication and is available at no cost. The Guide offers in-depth information on the federal student aid process and includes details on all of Pennsylvania's aid programs, including the need-based State Grant.
“The best advice for high school students who are interested in continuing their education is to begin researching financial aid options in their junior year. This helps eliminate last minute decisions that may not be in their best interest,” noted Representative William F. Adolph, Chairman of the PHEAA Board. “Becoming familiar with the student aid process and the programs that are available gives families a significant advantage when it is time to apply,” Adolph continued.
The Guide is available in print and online at PHEAA.org. This year, the online version of the Guide includes active links to web pages of particular interest and other websites to help access needed information or applications directly from the online document.
Each high school counselor's office will receive one printed copy of the Guide with instructions to visit PHEAA.org/counselors to order additional printed copies for their students. Counselors should note that supplies of printed Guides are limited.
“Providing the Guide online and through a streamlined distribution process has proven to be a significant cost-saving measure for PHEAA,” said Senator Sean Logan, Vice Chairman of the PHEAA Board. “Over the last two years, PHEAA has saved several hundred thousand dollars by adapting our publication process to better meet the changing needs of students, families and schools.”
The Guide includes:
- Information on federal and state grants, scholarships, federal student loans and work-study programs
- Eligibility information, application procedures and deadlines
- Timelines for both high school juniors and seniors to help get ready for college
- Helpful resources and contact information
- Ways to identify financial need and how students may qualify for aid
- Tools to help create a student budget that estimates expenses
- Online resources for forms, research, calculators and much more
Students and families are encouraged to contact their high school regarding the availability of Financial Aid Nights during the fall. PHEAA Regional Office financial aid experts facilitate these free informational programs, providing an overview of the student financial aid process and offering an opportunity to have individual questions answered.
Families are also encouraged to visit EducationPlanner.org for college planning guidance. This website can help students identify a career of interest, select a school that meets their individual needs, and apply for admission and financial aid. The site is home to one of the largest, free scholarship searches available on the Internet, offering more than 1.8 million awards worth nearly $8 billion.