HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania students now have a new opportunity to access financial support for education through the GROW PA Grant Program. Announced by Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton), the grant is designed to encourage students to pursue education in high-demand fields and contribute to the state’s economic vitality by remaining in Pennsylvania after graduation.
The GROW PA Grant Program, established under the FY 2024-25 budget and administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), provides eligible students with grants of up to $5,000. The initiative targets education in areas that align with in-demand occupations, such as STEM and criminal justice, with more than 460 qualifying fields of study currently identified.
“The GROW PA Grant Program can be a game changer for the future of Pennsylvania students and the Commonwealth’s economy,” said Topper. “This program is designed to incentivize Pennsylvania students to receive an education in areas where there is high demand for skilled employees in the Commonwealth. The more we can encourage Pennsylvania students to be educated in Pennsylvania, stay in Pennsylvania and work in Pennsylvania, the better the future of our Commonwealth looks.”
To qualify for a GROW PA Grant, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- File the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Be a current Pennsylvania resident.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress for Title IV financial aid.
- Not yet hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible associate or bachelor’s degree program tied to in-demand occupations identified by PHEAA.
- Sign a Master Promissory Note, acknowledging a commitment to repay the grant, with any accrued interest, if the work requirement within Pennsylvania is unmet.
Topper, who played a key role in the program’s creation during his tenure as Republican chairman of the House Education Committee, emphasized its long-term implications. “The future of Pennsylvania depends on having Pennsylvanians stay in Pennsylvania, and the GROW PA Grant Program is an important tool in helping secure the future well-being of today’s students and tomorrow’s Commonwealth,” he stated.
Students and parents can find more information about the GROW PA Grant Program here: https://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/grow-pa-scholarship-grant-program.
The GROW PA Grant Program reflects Pennsylvania’s focused efforts to develop a skilled workforce while supporting the aspirations of its students to succeed within the state’s borders.
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