Grow PA Scholarship Grant
Offered by Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) · Free to apply
Pennsylvania pays up to $5,000 a year, for as many as four years, to students enrolled at least half time in one of roughly 460 approved majors tied to in-demand occupations, from nursing and teaching to engineering and accounting, and it stacks on top of the PA State Grant. Two filings are required: the FAFSA and a separate Grow PA application submitted through PHEAA Account Access. Applicants also sign a promissory note committing them to live and work in Pennsylvania in a qualifying occupation for one year per year of funding; miss that commitment and the grant converts to a loan to be repaid. The application opens in early February and PHEAA accepts it until January 7, but grants are awarded in the order complete applications arrive, so the published closing date matters far less than filing quickly.
How hard is the Grow PA Scholarship Grant to win?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.
- Estimated odds
- qualifying students generally receive it
- Paperwork
- ~2 hrs to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to Pennsylvania residents
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the Grow PA Scholarship Grant?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of Pennsylvania
- Open to high school seniors and current college students
- Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card)
- Major must be on the Grow PA in-demand program list (460+ programs)
- Requires committing to live and work in Pennsylvania in an in-demand occupation after graduation, one year per grant year; otherwise the grant converts to a loan
- File both the FAFSA and the separate Grow PA application by January 7
What the application takes
No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is January 7, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around January 7 each year. Applications open early February. Awards go out in the order complete applications arrive, so apply within days of the February opening rather than by January 7.
- Grow PA application opens
- Early February 2026
- FAFSA must also be on file
- Before the Grow PA application counts as complete
- Master Promissory Note signed
- Before funds are released
- Applications close
- January 7, 2027
Does your student actually qualify?
See if your student qualifies in 30 seconds. Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
Common questions about the Grow PA Scholarship Grant
How much is the Grow PA Scholarship Grant worth?
The Grow PA Scholarship Grant awards up to $5,000/yr for up to 4 years and is renewable in later years.
When is the Grow PA Scholarship Grant deadline?
The current deadline is January 7, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around January 7 each year. Applications open early February. Awards go out in the order complete applications arrive, so apply within days of the February opening rather than by January 7.
When do Grow PA Scholarship Grant applications open?
Applications open early February, and close January 7, 2027. Awards go out in the order complete applications arrive, so apply within days of the February opening rather than by January 7.
Who is eligible for the Grow PA Scholarship Grant?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of Pennsylvania; Open to high school seniors and current college students; Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card).
Does the Grow PA Scholarship Grant require an essay?
No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 2 hours on it.
How hard is it to win the Grow PA Scholarship Grant?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 2 hrs of paperwork.
Is the Grow PA Scholarship Grant free to apply?
Yes. The Grow PA Scholarship Grant is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- 802 Opportunity GrantFull tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance ProgramVaries by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
- Alabama Student Grant ProgramUp to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
- Alaska Education Grant$500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
- Alaska Performance Scholarship$3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
- Arizona Promise ProgramFull tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.