Students


The new Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program can help Alvernia students fund their education and build the workforce in Pennsylvania for in-demand occupations.


Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, Grow PA grant scholarships of up to $5,000 per year (up to a maximum of four academic years) will be available for in-state students enrolled in certain in-demand bachelor’s degree programs at Alvernia. To qualify, students must live and work in Pennsylvania in that occupation after graduation for 12 months for each year they receive the grant. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the grant being converted to a loan that must be repaid.

In This Section

Scholarships and Grants

Grow PA Program Administered by PHEAA

To be considered for a Grow PA Grant, Alvernia students must:

  • File the 2025-26 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
  • Be a Pennsylvania resident.
  • Meet satisfactory academic progress for Title IV financial aid.
  • Have not yet earned a bachelor's degree.
  • Be enrolled at least half-time at Alvernia (or another approved institution) and enrolled in an eligible program of study as determined by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).
  • Sign a Master Promissory Note agreeing to repay all funds received if the work requirement is not met, including any potential interest accrued. 


Applications for the 2025-26 program are available now. Students should apply as soon as possible; the grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit PHEAA's site for more information including the full list of eligible programs, or contact Alvernia’s Office of Student Financial Services.

 

Terms and Conditions

Eligible students are required to read through the Terms and Conditions below or view them on the PHEAA site. Students may contact sfs@alvernia.edu to request an in-person, Zoom or phone call appointment to go over these items.

  • NOTE: Students should understand that if they do not complete their Grow PA eligible degree program and their employment obligation, their grant will convert to a loan that will have to be repaid.

     
Terms & Conditions of the Grow PA Grant Program


The Grow PA Grant remains a scholarship award if the student meets all the following criteria:

  • Completes their degree in an eligible program of study
  • Secures a job included on the approved list of in-demand jobs within a year after graduation
  • Completes 1 year of qualifying employment in Pennsylvania as a Pennsylvania resident for every academic year (or the equivalent) the grant was received
     
Employment Obligation


A Grow PA Grant recipient must work in a qualifying in-demand job for a total of 1 year for each academic year the Grow PA Grant was received. The recipient has 2 years to satisfy each year of the employment obligation. The recipient is required to live and work within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania while fulfilling the employment obligation. Conditions under which the recipient is eligible to apply for a deferment of their employment obligation:

  • The recipient is enrolled full-time in a program of study deemed eligible to receive an education deferment of their Grow PA Grant employment obligation.
  • The recipient has a medical condition that prevents them from working.
  • The recipient is called or ordered to active-duty status for more than 30 days.
  • A Grow PA Grant recipient must apply for a deferment in writing, on a form approved by PHEAA, with the required supporting documentation for the deferment to be considered. Deferments are granted to eligible individuals in 1-year increments for a maximum combined total of 3 years for health and education; military deferments are unlimited.
     
Repayment


Should repayment of the recipient’s Grow PA Grant become necessary, the recipient acknowledged and agreed to the following repayment guidelines specified in the Grow PA Grant Master Promissory Note which has been previously submitted and signed by the recipient.


Reasons for Repayment:

  • The recipient shall enter repayment status should they fail to satisfy their degree requirements. Recipients who fail to satisfy their degree requirements shall be provided a 6-month grace period.
  • The recipient shall enter repayment status should they either fail to document or fail to satisfy their employment service obligation within the time period allotted. The recipient shall enter repayment status on the first day of the next calendar month (or no earlier than 30 days from conversion) after the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency verifies that they have failed to fulfill the employment service obligation.
  • The recipient shall enter repayment status should they request to convert their grant to a loan because they decided they will not enter employment in an in-demand occupation, will not be a Pennsylvania resident, or will not be employed within the Commonwealth.
     

 

 

Eligible Programs