- How do I apply for financial aid?
- What types of financial aid are available at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College?
- Should I be aware of any deadline dates?
- Do I have to meet any academic requirements for financial aid?
- Are there other requirements for receiving aid?
- What is Pennsylvania Highlands Community College’s Title IV school code?
- My parents no longer support me and I live on my own. Why do I still need to supply their information on the FAFSA?
- What is a PIN number and how do I get one?
How do I apply for financial aid?
You should apply for financial aid each academic year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
What types of financial aid are available at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College?
Grants, scholarships, loan and work-study are available at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College for those students that have completed a FAFSA and meet eligibility requirements.
- Grants: Money which is awarded based on financial need and does not have to be paid back such as the Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) and the PHEAA State Grant.
- Scholarships: Money generally awarded based on some sort of academic criteria, but can also be based on financial need. Scholarships do not have to be repaid.
- Loans: Money which a student must repay, but the school determines the amount and types of loans the student is eligible for such as the Federal Subsidized or Unsubsidized Stafford Loans.
- Federal Work-Study: A federal award based on financial need that provides the student the opportunity to earn money through a part-time job offered through the college.
Should I be aware of any deadline dates?
Yes, application deadlines are very important. You should apply before
- April 1st of each academic year to meet Financial Aid Office priority deadline date for the Fall semester
- October 1st to meet Financial AidOffice priority deadline date for the Spring semester if you are a new student or transferring in from another college
- May 1st of each academic year to meet Pennsylvania's deadline date for state grant.
Do I have to meet any academic requirements for financial aid?
Yes, you must be enrolled for at least six credits for most programs. Only certain Federal Pell grant recipients can receive a grant for a less than half-time enrollment. The Financial Aid Office does not count audited courses for financial aid. You must also maintain academic progress towards your program of study by completing at least two-thirds of all attempted credits, plus maintain a certain grade point average. You must complete your program within a 150% timeframe. The Financial Aid Office counts all withdrawals and incomplete grades as non-completed course work.
If for any reason financial aid is reduced or lost, the student is still obligated to pay any balance due. Students have the right to appeal a determination of ineligibility for financial aid based on lack of academic progress.
Are there other requirements for receiving aid?
Yes, only matriculated students, defined as regular students enrolled for the purpose of obtaining a degree, certificate, or diploma at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, are eligible to receive financial aid. Non-degree seeking students are not eligible.
What is Pennsylvania Highlands Community College’s Title IV school code?
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Title IV school code is 031804. This code identifies Pennsylvania Highlands Community College as the school you wish to attend on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
My parents no longer support me and I live on my own. Why do I still need to supply their information on the FAFSA?
Despite living on your own and receiving no support from your parents, you are not considered independent for financial aid purposes. A student is considered independent if they are at least one of the following:
- 24 years of age on or before the January 1 preceding the academic year
- A graduate student
- Married
- Have legal dependents who you provide more than 50% of their support
- An orphan or ward of the court
- A veteran of the armed forces
- Currently serving on Active Duty in US Armed Services for purpose other than training
If you do not meet any of these requirements and there are mitigating circumstances regarding your situation, contact the Financial Aid Office to have your dependency status determined.
What is a PIN number and how do I get one?
The PIN is a four digit number assigned by the U.S. Department of Education for the duration of your college career. This PIN serves as your electronic signature for online documents such as the FAFSA, and Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note. If filing the FAFSA online, the student and one parent (if the student is dependent) will need a PIN number in order to sign it. You can request a PIN online at www.pin.ed.gov.
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