Senate Republican leaders in Pennsylvania are urging students and individuals seeking career training to apply for the Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program. This initiative, managed by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), offers grants of up to $5,000 annually for in-state students pursuing degrees or certifications in high-demand fields.
Applicants must commit to living and working in Pennsylvania after graduation. Recipients are required to remain in the state for 12 months per year of grant received; otherwise, the grant will convert into a loan that must be repaid.
Eligible fields include agriculture, computer science, business, education, special education, STEM education, engineering, nursing, allied health, criminal justice, among others approved by PHEAA. Applications for the 2025-26 program can be submitted at pheaa.org/growpa on a first-come basis.
“The Grow PA program was developed with the goal of reversing Pennsylvania’s decades of economic and demographic decline with young people fleeing the state for better educational and job opportunities,” said Scott Martin. “This program sends a powerful message that if young people are willing to live here, work here and put down their roots here, we’re willing to invest in their future.”
Joe Pittman added: “The launch of Grow PA is an exciting step forward for increasing access to postsecondary educational opportunities, empowering tens of thousands of students. By attracting, training and retaining students here in Pennsylvania we are investing in the future strength of our workforce.”
Additionally, there is a new initiative aimed at out-of-state students called the Grow PA Tuition Waiver Program. This allows eligible non-resident PASSHE students pursuing high-demand occupations to pay tuition at an in-state rate rather than an out-of-state rate. These graduates must also agree to live and work in Pennsylvania after graduation.
For more information on both programs visit pheaa.org/growpa or pheaa.org/growpawaiver.
