Grants & Scholarships

Grant and scholarship information is included on this page. Select from the table of contents below to quickly access the associated information.

When reviewing the information on this page, you'll notice many references to the FAFSA, which is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Learn more about and complete the FAFSA online.

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grants are determined by the U.S. Department of Education and are based on demonstrated financial need and full or part-time enrollment at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

To apply for a Federal Pell Grant, students must complete the FAFSA. Our preferred deadline is April 1 of each year. Once the College receives your FAFSA and you have received an offer of admission, we will begin to process your application to ensure everything was completed accurately.

To be considered, students must meet the following criteria:

The U.S. Department of Education determines student’s eligibility from information gathered on the FAFSA application.
Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Awards depend on financial need and enrollment status.
Funds are disbursed via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to students accounts each semester starting after the designated census date. After the initial disbursement, funds are reviewed for disbursement as needed.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Federal grant funds awarded to our neediest students who complete the FAFSA application early.

To be considered, students must meet the following criteria:

Federal Pell grant eligibility based on FAFSA.
Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress
Awarded to students who complete the FAFSA in October of the previous year.
Preference is given to resident students.
Awards are generally $3,000 for the year, until funds are exhausted.
Funds are disbursed via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to students accounts each semester, starting after the designated census date. After the initial disbursement, funds are reviewed for disbursement as needed.

Pennsylvania State Grant

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania awards grants to state residents pursuing postsecondary degrees, including associate degrees. To be eligible for a PA State Grant, you must complete the FAFSA by May 1 of each year. PHEAA will contact you via mail or email and request additional information to determine your eligibility.

Your grant award will be re-evaluated each year on the basis of continued need, your academic progress, and to ensure you are taking at least six credits per semester. Credits in remedial courses may be eligible depending upon how many regular credits you are also taking. They usually will require additional information to determine eligibility.

Funds are disbursed via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to student accounts each semester starting after the designated census date. After the initial disbursement, funds are reviewed for disbursement as needed.

Create an account via the PHEAA website to track your PA State Grant eligibility.

To be considered, students must meet the following criteria:

FAFSA completed by May 1
Graduate from a high school in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania resident
Enrolled at least half time (6 credits)
Enrolled in a 2-year program
Meet satisfactory academic progress (as defined by PHEAA)
Create an account on www.aessuccess.org to view up to date PA State Grant information

Special Programs Through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA)

For all Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) special programs, funds are disbursed via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to students accounts each semester starting after the designated census date. After the initial disbursement, funds are reviewed for disbursement as needed.

PA Partnerships for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Program

Students awarded a scholarship or grant by a PHEAA PATH (Partnerships for Access to Higher Education) Program Partner may be eligible for additional aid.

Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee ETG) Program

This federally funded program offers grants to Pennsylvania undergraduate students aging out of foster care who are attending an eligible postsecondary institution.

PA National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)

Together with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, PHEAA administers this tuition assistance program for students who enter into a service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard for a period of 6 years.

PA Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver (FosterEd) Program

The Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program provides a waiver for tuition and mandatory fees charged by most postsecondary institutions located in the Commonwealth for youth who are or were in foster care.

This waiver applies only to charges that remain after all other gift aid (i.e. federal, state, and other scholarships or grants) have been applied to the student’s account.

To apply for the waiver:

File the FAFSA.
Enroll in a PA postsecondary institution approved by the U.S. Department of Education for Title IV funding.
You must apply for and be eligible for the Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee ETG).
Mail or fax your completed Chafee ETG application (PDF) to:

PHEAA
State Grant and Special Programs
P.O. Box 8157
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8157
Fax: (717) 720-3786

Students who wish to appeal their eligibility determination can do so by emailing: .

Point of Contact at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Emily Smoker
Director of Financial Aid
Phone: 717-391-7206
Email:

Stevens Grant

For more than 100 years, the Stevens Grant has helped thousands of students pursue their dream of an education at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

Grant Eligibility Criteria:

FAFSA processed by May 1 (late applicants may receive a reduced amount).
Complete all required paperwork with the Financial Aid Office.
Pell Grant eligibility as determined by the FAFSA.
Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Enrolled in 12 or more credits and working towards degree requirements.
In some cases, students that are taking less than 12 credits but are taking a full load of their program courses according to the model schedule and have full filled all general education requirements may be eligible on a prorated basis.
Complete all PA State Grant paperwork

The Stevens Grant Covers:

Remaining costs after Pell Grant, PA State Grant, outside scholarships, VA benefits, and Expected Family Contribution (EFC) are taken into consideration.
If the EFC is greater than zero student are responsible for the amount of the EFC. A student loan will be awarded as an option to cover the EFC.
Costs can include, tuition, fees, room and board (seven day meal plan for resident students, and five day meal plan for commuter students).
Textbooks and tools will be given to students by instructors on the first day of the semester.
All books must be returned at the end of each semester, however tools are the student's to keep.
If a student withdraws or is dismissed prior to graduation, they must return their tools or be charged a replacement fee.

Length of Grant:

Four-semester maximum
Pre-majors may receive the grant for six semesters

Additional Information:

If the EFC is greater than zero, students can take out a loan or pay out of pocket to cover the amount of their EFC.
Funds are disbursed via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to students accounts each semester starting after the designated census date. After the initial disbursement, funds are reviewed for disbursement as needed.
All books must be returned at the end of each semester.
If a student withdraws or is dismissed prior to graduation they must return their tools or be charged a replacement fee.
If a student withdraws or is dismissed during the refund period, their Stevens Grant will be prorated based upon the business office’s refund policy.

Maintaining Grant Eligibility:

Complete a new FAFSA each year to determine financial eligibility
Complete ten hours of civic engagement per semester
Continuous full-time enrollment
Maintain a 2.0 GPA
Uphold the College's Code of Conduct

Thaddeus Stevens Foundation Scholarship

The Thaddeus Stevens Foundation awards more than 50 scholarships annually. You may complete a scholarship application to apply for all of the available scholarships for which you may meet the criteria. The scholarship amount is determined by the Thaddeus Stevens Foundation.

The deadline to apply for the Thaddeus Stevens Foundation Scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year is May 31, 2023. Decisions and notifications of scholarships will be made by mid-July.

Apply for the Thaddeus Stevens Foundation Scholarship

Unless otherwise stipulated, the following general criteria shall apply to all applicants for scholarship consideration:

Each recipient of a scholarship must meet the academic standards of a 2.0 GPA or above.
Students with financial need are given first preference. Financial need can only be determined by completing the FAFSA. We encourage all applicants to also complete the FAFSA. Consideration for those with academic achievement will be given second preference.
None of the following forms of discrimination will be used in selecting a qualifying student. Neither race, creed, color, age, nor gender shall be used as a determining factor in awarding the scholarship.
Scholarship applicants shall be residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

You are encouraged to apply for scholarships from other sources. However, the Financial Aid Office is not responsible for these scholarships, so you should confirm with the sponsor any rules or requirements that may apply. Please notify the Financial Aid Office of any other scholarships you may/will receive, as these scholarships may impact the award/amounts that you are federally eligible for. The Financial Aid Office will complete any paperwork required to assist in the follow-up process. The Financial Aid Office does not recommended paying a fee to apply for a scholarship.

Need Help? Contact Us!

Financial Aid Office
Email:
Phone: 717-391-3510