Veterans Benefits
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Financial Aid For Veterans & National Guard Members
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) have always considered service to any of America's Armed Forces as service directly to the Commonwealth. Service to our country may qualify you for financial assistance in pursuing higher education through any of the programs that apply to your situation.
Children of soldiers declared POW/MIA
We provide special State Grants to children of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who has been designated a "Prisoner of War" or as "Missing in Action" and:
- Served on active duty after January 31, 1955.
- Was a resident of Pennsylvania for at least twelve (12) months preceding his/her service on active duty.
Students do not qualify if they are a child of any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who deserted, defected to the enemy, or was discharged under conditions other than "honorable."
To apply, file a FAFSA and the POW-MIA application. You may obtain the POW-MIA application by calling:
1-800-692-7392 (toll-free)
TDD (for hearing-impaired ONLY): 717-720-2366.
Students should file as early as possible. Funds permitting, we may be able to consider applications for the full academic year as long as they are filed with the Agency before April 1 of the spring term for which aid is being requested.
Pennsylvania National Guard Members
Together with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), we administer the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) for members of the Pennsylvania National Guard. This program provides tuition assistance for students who enter into a service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard, typically for a period of six years.
To be eligible you must:
- Be a bona fide resident (domiciliary) of Pennsylvania.
- Be enrolled in a degree- or certificate-granting program of study at an approved Pennsylvania institution.
Maximum Award Values for 2005-06
- Full-time: 100% of tuition charged at a state-owned university ($4,906 for the 2005-06 academic year)
- Part-time: either one-half the tuition for the part-time course of study, or one-third of the full-time tuition charged to a Pennsylvania resident at a state owned university ($1,635 for the 2005-06 academic year), whichever is less.
If you fail to honor the service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard, you must repay all EAP funds you receive, plus interest.
For additional information on award amounts, eligible campuses, or other details call 1-800-GO GUARD or visit http://www.paguard.com/.
If you are an eligible veteran or dependent of an eligible veteran, you may be eligible for Veteran's Educational Benefits. For further information on the programs, contact the Registrar's Office. You may reach them at 1-800-4COLLEGE option #4 or 570-945-8224.