Scholarships

The Foundation Scholarship program solicits and receives gifts to the College from staff and faculty, alumni, members of the community and local businesses and organizations to provide funds for student scholarships.

The Financial Aid Office awards scholarships based upon the availability of funds. Criteria for scholarships vary, but most are based upon financial need and/or academic merit in combination with other eligibility criteria, but in keeping with affirmative action guidelines.

If awarded the applicant agrees to

• Acknowledge receipt of the scholarship by writing a thank you letter to the donor and submitting it to the External Relations office.  
• Sign a release of information.

Please click here to view our Financial Aid Guide and Scholarship application.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN (AAUW), JOHNSTOWN BRANCH SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established through the generosity of the Johnstown Branch of the American Association of University Women.

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must

• Be a full-time matriculated student in a degree program who has earned at least 30 credits.
• Have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
  
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Reside in either Cambria or Somerset County.
• Preference will be given to female students, 25 years of age or older.

A maximum of $500 is awarded annually.

DR. WALTER AND KIM ASONEVICH SCHOLARSHIP

This is an endowed scholarship awarded to a first year student who is a single parent enrolled full-time in an associate's degree program. Scholarships are awarded for two semesters.

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must

• Be a single parent, first semester student enrolled fulltime in an associate’s degree program
• Demonstrate financial need
• Maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average for second semester renewal of the scholarship
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Complete the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Scholarship Application

Scholarships are awarded for the first semester ($500) and may be extended to the second semester based on availability of funds.

CROWN AMERICAN HOTELS SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is sponsored by Crown American Hotels and is awarded to a first year Culinary Arts student from Cambria County.

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must

• Be a first year student enrolled fulltime in the Culinary Arts Program
• Demonstrate financial need
• Live in Cambria County
• Maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average for second semester renewal of the scholarship
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Complete the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Scholarship Application

Scholarships are awarded for tuition only for two full time semesters. 

JOHNSTOWN REGIONAL INDIAN SUBCONTINENT ASSOCIATION (JRISA) SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is sponsored by Johnstown Regional Indian Subcontinent Association (JRISA) and is awarded to a first year student from Cambria County.

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must

• Be a first year student enrolled for a minimum of 6 credits per semester
• Demonstrate financial need
• Live in Cambria County
• Maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average for second semester renewal of the scholarship
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Complete the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Scholarship Application

A total of $500 will be awarded annually  ($250 each semester).

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL ADVISORS (NAIFA) SCHOLARSHIP

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) established a scholarship fund in 1995 to benefit Pennsylvania Highlands students. This has been funded by the proceeds from its annual golf outing through 2005. The NAIFA scholarship is offered through the Pennsylvania Highlands Foundation.

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must

• Have already completed at least three credits at Pennsylvania Highlands.
• Maintain a 2.0 GPA.
• Demonstrate financial need.
  

A maximum of $2,500 will be available annually.

URSULA PAWLOWSKI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is given in memory of Ursula Pawlowski, a lifelong educator and former member of the College’s Board of Trustees.

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must:

• Be matriculated in the Early Childhood Education program or in another
  academic program with the expressed goal of a career in education.
• Maintain a 2.0 G.P.A.

A maximum of $500 is awarded annually.

DR. EDWARD HALUSKA SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is sponsored by the Foundation and is open to any continuing Pennsylvania Highlands student.

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must:

• Have completed at least three credits at Pennsylvania Highlands.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Be matriculated into a degree program.
• Have at Least a 2.0 GPA.

A maximum of $1000 is awarded annually.

JOHN P. MURTHA COMMUNITY COLLEGE VETERANS SCHOLARSHIP

Veterans Leadership Program/Veterans Community Initiatives and Pennsylvania Highlands sponsor this scholarship. The scholarship is open to all veterans, National Guardsmen, and reservists.

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must:

• Have an Honorable Discharge and provide a DD-214
• Not qualify for the GI Bill
• Have been a resident of Cambria County for at least the past six months
• Be enrolled or plan to enroll in classes at Pennsylvania Highlands
• Maintain a 2.0 GPA

A total of 30 credits at the in-county tuition rate will be awarded each academic year. Recipients will receive the scholarship for tuition only. College fees are the responsibility of the student.

Applications Required:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or FAFSA Renewal.
• Institutional Financial Aid Application.
• VVLP Scholarship Application - Call VVLP/VCI at 814-255-7209 for details.

Murtha Scholarship deadline dates differ from other Pennsylvania Highlands Scholarships.

JOSEPH AND JOAN MANGARELLA SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship was established through the generosity of Joseph Mangarella, a long time member of both the College's Board of Trustees and the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation Board of Directors, and his wife Joan.

• Be enrolled full-time at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
• Preference given to students considered to be challenged and/or with special needs who reside in the Northern Cambria area.

A maximum of $2,500 is awarded annually.

VALENTY SCHOLARSHIP

• Be matriculated in Business Management or business-related program.
• Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• Demonstrate financial need.

PENNSYLVANIA HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP

Up to twenty full-tuition scholarships are awarded annually to outstanding students throughout the six-county Southern Alleghenies Region (Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset). The scholarships are awarded to high school seniors and must be used beginning with the fall semester following high school graduation. The Pennsylvania Highlands Scholarship Committee reviews all applications and recommends recipients for selection to the President’s Office.

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants for the scholarship must:

The scholarship covers the cost of tuition only and fees are the responsibility of the student. Students will be monitored each semester to track academic progress, credit load, and to confirm eligibility.

The scholarship is renewed each academic semester, for a single program of study over a maximum of five semesters, provided the following criteria are met:

• The recipient must be enrolled full time during all scholarship semesters and must successfully complete at least 25 college credits during the first academic year at Pennsylvania Highlands.
• The recipient must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 at Pennsylvania Highlands.
• The recipient must complete at least ten hours of College service during their first academic year, under the direction of the Admissions Office.
• The recipient must work with an assigned scholarship mentor in the Student Success Center throughout their award period.

PENNSYLVANIA HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE SUPPORTING SUCCESS SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship is comprised of general scholarship funds to assist current Pennsylvania Highlands students, qualified high school seniors preparing to graduate, and adult learners who meet the criteria listed below. The award may be applied to the costs of tuition, fees, and books.

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must:

• Be pursuing an Associate Degree, diploma, or certificate at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and be enrolled for a minimum of six credits; or

• Be a High School Senior eligible for graduation during the senior year with a cumulative GPA of 2.0; or

• Be an adult learner not grant eligible or employee reimbursed with a high school diploma or its equivalency; or

• Have a need not met by PELL or PHEAA grants

NOTE: Supporting Success Scholarship Funds may be awarded in conjunction with other matching scholarships and/or other special circumstances as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

A maximum of $4000 is awarded annually.

JOHN J. POLACEK, SR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Pennsylvania Highlands works closely with JWF Industries to help students pursuing a career in welding and metal fabrication. As a result, the John J. Polacek, Sr. Memorial Scholarship has been created to provide financial support to any accepted or currently enrolled Welding Technology degree student at Pennsylvania Highlands.

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must:

• Be enrolled full-time (12 or more credits) in Welding Technology.
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA.
• Be willing to work as a part-time employee of JWF Industries.

Eligible applicants interested in this scholarship should contact JWF Industries for additional information at scholarship@jwfi.com prior to contacting the College’s Financial Aid Office.

A total amount of four full-time semesters is award to the student.

ANNA D. WEITZ SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship honors the dedicated service of Dr. Anna D. Weitz, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College from 2002 - 2007. It was established in recognition of her visionary leadership as a lasting tribute to her many achievements at the College and impact on the community at large.

To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must:

• Be enrolled full-time (12 or more credits).
• Have earned at least fifteen credits at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.
• Have demonstrated service to the College through involvement in a recognized student club/organization or some other officially recognized College service activity.

A maximum of $500 is awarded annually.

TAX CREDITS

There are two tax credits available to help students offset the costs of higher education by reducing the amount of your income tax.  They are the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. 

The American Opportunity Credit

This credit can help parents and students pay part of the cost of the first four years of college. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act modifies the existing Hope Credit for tax years 2009 and 2010, making it available to a broader range of taxpayers. Eligible taxpayers may qualify for the maximum annual credit of $2,500 per student. Generally, 40 percent of the credit is refundable, which means that you may be able to receive up to $1,000, even if you owe no taxes.

The Lifetime Learning Credit

This credit can help pay for undergraduate, graduate and professional degree courses – including courses to improve job skills – regardless of the number of years in the program. Eligible taxpayers may qualify for up to $2,000 – $4,000 if a student in a Midwestern disaster area – per tax return.

For additional information, consult a tax advisor or visit
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf

VETERANS BENEFITS

The Financial Aid Office provides information about G.I. Bill benefits for veterans, eligible dependents of veterans, members of the National Guard, Selected Reserves, and active duty service persons. This office assists students in applying for benefits and certifies enrollment to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

For information on Veteran and Dependent VA Education Benefits call 1-888-442-4551 or access online at www.gibill.va.gov. Most veterans are responsible to pay tuition and fees by the College's tuition due date. Veterans applying for benefits for the first time should expect a six to eight week wait until the first check from the Department of Veterans Affairs arrives.