PA Institutional Assistance Grants (IAG) Program

What is the IAG Program?

The IAG Program was created by legislation from the Pennsylvania General Assembly in July of 1974 (Act No. 174). The purpose of the program is to moderate costs at independent nonprofit institutions within the Commonwealth by providing funding to these institutions. Eligible institutions receive block grants based on the number of PA State Grant-receiving students in attendance. The institution must spend the grant on eligible institutional expenses, such as staff salaries, operating expenses, utilities, or maintenance. IAG funds may not be spent on sectarian or denominational expenses.

Institutional Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in the IAG Program, an institution must:

  • Be a nonprofit independent institution of higher education located in Pennsylvania.
  • Be approved for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program by PHEAA.
  • Not receive a direct appropriation from the Commonwealth.

Institutions are not eligible if they are community colleges, state-owned, state-related, seminaries or schools of theology, or sectarian and denominational institutions. Additionally, hospital schools of nursing are not eligible because they are not chartered as independent institutions of higher education.

How to Apply

New institutions interested in participating in the IAG Program must submit an IAG Eligibility Determination Application to be considered for eligibility. This application is included in the Program Materials section below. This application is reviewed by PHEAA, and if all requirements are met, the school is required to complete and submit a signed Participation Agreement. The paper agreement may be mailed, faxed, or emailed to PHEAA.

Institutions that have already been approved must complete an annual Eligibility Renewal Application to maintain program eligibility.

Program Materials

View and download a wide range of resources that will provide you with program-specific information.

Contact Us

IAG Program staff is ready to answer any questions you may have about the IAG Program. You may contact us by phone at 1-800-443-0646 or by emailing iag@pheaa.org.