Grants

Grants are monetary awards that the student is not required to repay. The following grants are available for qualifying Central Penn students.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Need-based as determined by the federal government
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Cannot already have a bachelor degree
• No Repayment required
• Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• Must complete the Central Penn Financial Aid Form
• Encouraged to apply as soon as possible after January 1 of each year
• Students must comply with our Financial Aid Academic Progress Policy
• Remain enrolled in classes 

PELL Grant

• $5550 maximum annually (2010-2011)
• May be eligible with as few as three credits
• The deadline is March 15 of each year for maximum aid consideration
• Federal deadline is June 30 of each year

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Grant

• $3700 maximum annually 
• Must complete Status Notice Form online at www.aessuccess.org at account access
• If taking classes in the summer, must complete Summer State Grant Form at www.aessuccess.org at account access
• Must be Pennsylvania resident
• Must be enrolled and have at least 4 credits
• State Agency deadline of May 1 of each year
• Student must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits at the end of three quarters for full time students to receive this grant for the subsequent year 

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant 

• $1000 Maximum annually
• Deadline is March 15 of each year for maximum aid consideration
• Meet Central Penn's priority deadline for the FAFSA
• Pell Grant eligible
• Awarded on a first-come, first-served basis

ACG (Academic Competitiveness Grant)

• 1st year student $750/academic year
• 2nd year student $1300/academic year
• Pell grant recipient
• Considered first or second year student
• Passed rigorous high school program
• Graduated high school after 1/1/2005
• Must have 3.0 CUM GPA at end of year one to qualify for year rwo
• Must pass 36 credits in three terms to advance to 2nd year

SMART (National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant)

• 3rd year student $4000/academic year
• 4th year student $4000/academic year
• Considered 3rd or 4th year student
• Cum GPA 3.00
• Enrolled in IT major
• Full time enrollment
• Must maintain CUM 3.00 GPA each term
• Must pass 36 credits in three terms to advance to 4th year

All information above is subject to change in Federal/State regulations and Central Penn policy.

For additional information on grants, contact Central Penn's Financial Aid Office at financialaid@centralpenn.edu or call 1-800-759-2727.