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Penn Highlands To Distribute Additional $1.8M in COVID-19 Relief Funding

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Penn Highlands Community College recently received an additional 1.8 million dollars for direct student aid from the Higher Education Relief Fund III. To date, Penn Highlands has already awarded over $880,000 directly to students impacted by the pandemic during the Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 semesters.

Penn Highlands Community College will disperse the additional COVID-19 relief funding to enrolled students for the Summer 2021, Fall 2021, and Spring 2022 semesters.

All enrolled for-credit students are eligible for COVID-19 relief payments. No Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to receive the relief funds; however, students that show exceptional need based upon their FAFSA status will be prioritized. Special consideration will be awarded to Pell Grant eligible recipients in the overall funding formula, which will be calculated for each student.

All students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA and contact the Penn Highlands Financial Aid Office to discuss how their current financial situation may or may not have changed due to the pandemic. These relief funds are designed for anyone who has put off their education due to a loss of income or insufficient childcare options as a direct result of the pandemic, to name a few.

“Penn Highlands is here to help our student population, whether it is earning an associate degree or certificate, or just taking a few classes to upskill their current job,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Penn Highlands Community College. “These COVID-19 relief funds are beneficial as they help our students overcome barriers caused by the pandemic, such as covering the cost of tuition and books, or other educational needs.”

In addition to COVID-19 relief funds, Penn Highlands also offers over 20 scholarships for each academic year, as well as payment plans designed to assist a student’s individual needs.

Our fall semester starts this August, and enrollment is currently underway. Click here for details.