The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is accepting applications for the 2026-27 Grow PA Grant Program, established under Act 89 of 2024 to address workforce shortages in in-demand occupations across the state.
The program provides grants of up to $5,000 per year for eligible students. Awards may be received for a maximum of four academic years.
To qualify, applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, be current Pennsylvania residents, meet satisfactory academic progress requirements for Title IV financial aid and not have earned a bachelor’s degree. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible associate or bachelor’s degree program at an approved Pennsylvania institution. The selected program must lead to employment in an in-demand occupation as determined by PHEAA.
Applicants must also sign a Master Promissory Note agreeing to repay all funds received, including any potential interest, if the program’s degree or work requirements are not satisfied.
More than 460 programs of study or majors are eligible under the Grow PA Grant Program. These programs lead to in-demand occupations in fields such as agriculture, business, education, computer science, STEM, nursing, allied health and criminal justice. Eligible programs are identified using Classification of Instructional Program codes established by the U.S. Department of Education.
Following graduation, recipients must commit to living and working in Pennsylvania in an in-demand occupation for a period equal to the number of years they received the grant, up to four years. Failure to meet the work or residency requirement will result in repayment of the grant.
To apply for the 2026-27 academic year, students must complete the Grow PA Scholarship Grant Application and submit it through PHEAA Account Access by selecting File Upload, then PA Special Programs, and Grow PA Scholarship Grant Application.
Applications for the 2025-26 award will be accepted until April 15, 2026. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis according to the date a complete application is received.
