Program Overview
PHEAA administers the funding to support qualifying interns completing Educational Specialist Preparation Program requirements at a Pennsylvania postsecondary institution. The funds are awarded and disbursed to the LEA where the intern completes their internship.
Eligibility
To be considered for PA HELPS, you must:
- Be a current resident of Pennsylvania.
- Be enrolled in an Educational Specialist Preparation Program approved by the PA Department of Education that leads to educator certification as a:
- School nurse
- School psychologist
- School counselor
- School social worker
- Be accepted to an internship at an LEA located in Pennsylvania that is approved for participation in PA HELPS.
- To be approved for PA HELPS, qualifying programs must be in a school district, intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school, regional charter school, or cyber charter school.
- The program must also employ a site supervisor who holds a certification in the same field that you are pursuing in your internship.
- Agree to work at an LEA located in Pennsylvania as a school nurse, school psychologist, school counselor, or school social worker for a minimum of 3 years following completion of the respective Educational Specialist Preparation Program.
How to Apply
Your LEA must certify their eligibility and apply on your behalf.
- What to Expect
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- The LEA submits an award year application or renewal to PHEAA.
- After we process the LEA application, we give the LEA an Intern Application.
- The LEA sends us their Intern Applications, along with the agreement for internship between the LEA and postsecondary institution, for any interns they have hired.
- If this is the first time an LEA has participated, they need to complete a Participation Agreement and ACH Authorization Agreement.
- We disburse funds to approved LEAs.
LEAs must use 100% of the funds received for compensating the intern (which may include legally required payroll deductions).