PHEAA recently announced that its investment of nearly $33 million into the PA Targeted Industry Program (PA-TIP) has helped approximately 8,500 Pennsylvania students achieve an education in the high-demand fields of energy, advanced materials, diversified manufacturing, agriculture, and food production. PA-TIP was created by the state in 2012 to help develop an educated and well-trained workforce, and 2018-19 marks the sixth consecutive year that PHEAA has fully funded the program for the commonwealth without any taxpayer support. For 2018-19, PHEAA's board of directors allocated $6 million dollars from the agency's business earnings to fund PA-TIP awards to approximately 1,600 Pennsylvania students. For the current award year, participants are receiving a maximum award of $4,123 and an average award of award of $1,979.
PA-TIP recipients attend a variety of eligible schools throughout Pennsylvania, including business, trade, and technical schools; career and technology centers; community colleges; and two-year private schools. These students would otherwise not be eligible for a need-based Pennsylvania State Grant award because their programs of study do not qualify. PA-TIP provides those students interested in short-term certificate programs with an accessible funding option that can help them cover their educational costs without adding to their student loan debt burden.
The program provides awards up to the equivalent of the maximum State Grant award or 75% of the student's allowable cost, whichever is less. However, eligible Pennsylvania veterans may receive awards up to the maximum State Grant award, provided that the PA-TIP does not exceed the student's allowable costs.
Eligible courses of study must be more than 10 weeks in length, be less than two academic years in length, and be federal Title IV eligible. Additionally, courses of study must not be State Grant eligible. A list of eligible programs and participation requirements can be found at http://www.PHEAA.org/PA-TIP.
For information on the higher education financial aid process, schedules for upcoming Financial Aid Nights and FAFSA Completion Sessions, reminders of financial aid deadlines, and video clips offering tips and information pertaining to planning for higher education, students may visit http://www.facebook.com/pheaa.aid.
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