January 6, 2020
Harrisburg – January 6, 2020 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland) announced that he will host two free Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Financial Aid Seminars for high school students and their families.
“Financing education after high school can be very expensive, but there are financial aid resources to help students who want to pursue college or technical school,” Brewster said.
The first information session will be hosted on Wednesday Jan. 15, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Penn State Greater Allegheny Ostermayer Room in the Student Community Center at 4000 University Dr., McKeesport, PA 15132.
The second session will be hosted on Wednesday Jan. 29, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) South Campus in the Auditorium at 1750 Clairton Rd., West Mifflin, PA 15122.
A student aid expert from PHEAA will be at both sessions to present on the student aid process and how best to plan to pay for a student’s higher education.
“Higher education has an essential role in the lives of students preparing to enter the workforce,” Brewster said. “It is important that students are financially prepared for this step in their lives.”
Students and families interested in attending these free seminars can contact Kathy Jo Osman in Senator Brewster’s office by phone at 412-664-5200 or by email at Kathy.osman@pasenate.com.
February 11, 2016
Harrisburg – Feb. 11, 2016 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today reminded all area students and parents of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Financial Aid Seminars scheduled at several locations in his district.
“I encourage all students who are thinking about going to college to consider attending the financial aid seminar,” Brewster said. “Learning how to manage college costs, finding out about financial assistance and understanding the time deadlines is very important.”
The dates of the seminars are as follows:
Saturday, March 5, 2016
10:00AM to 12:00PM
Penn State Greater Allegheny
Ostermayer Room, Student Community Center
4050 University Drive, McKeesport, PA 15132
Saturday, March 19, 2016
10:00AM to 12:00PM
Community College of Allegheny County – Boyce Campus Auditorium
595 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA 15146
Representatives from PHEAA will be on hand to detail the financial aid application process and what financial aid may be available to students and their parents.
Brewster said that registration is required. Those interested in attending should contact Kathy Jo Osman at (412) 664-5200 or kosman@pasenate.com with questions or to register for the event.
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October 17, 2014
Harrisburg – Oct. 17, 2014 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today reminded all area students and parents of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Financial Aid Seminar that is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
“I encourage all students who are thinking about going to college to consider attending the financial aid seminar,” Brewster said. “Learning how to manage college costs, finding out about financial assistance and understanding the time deadlines is very important.”
The PHEAA Financial Aid Seminar will be held at Penn State Greater Allegheny’s Ostermayer Room, Student Community Center, 4050 University Drive in McKeesport.
Representatives from PHEAA will be on hand to detail the financial aid application process and what financial aid may be available to students and their parents.
Brewster said that registration is required. Those interested should contact Kathy Jo Osman at (412) 664-5200 or kosman@pasenate.com questions or to register for the event.
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April 23, 2014
Harrisburg – April 23, 2014 – The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) 2014-15 State Grant application deadline is May 1, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-McKeesport) reminded constituents today.
“The application deadline applies to all first-time and renewal applicants so it is important that all students act now to ensure they are considered for grant funding,” Brewster said. “Those planning to enroll in colleges, universities or two-year institutions or renew their grants should make sure their applications are filed.”
To qualify for consideration for a State Grant award, applicants must have completed the 2014-15 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The applications for both the 2014-15 State Grant and the FAFSA can be accessed on PHEAA’s website at www.pheaa.org
The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for many types of need-based financial aid, including the Pennsylvania State Grant, federal Pell Grant, low-cost student loans, as well as other scholarships and institution-based awards.
First-time grant applicants must also submit a Pennsylvania State Grant Form. Those who complete the FAFSA online will be redirected to the State Grant Form. Those who are first-time applicants and who have submitted their FAFSA, but not their State Grant Form, should visit www.pheaa.org to complete the process.
Brewster said that if constituents have questions they can contact any one of his offices. If there are questions about FAFSA or the State Grant Program and students or their families need to speak to a PHEAA representative, they can call 1-800-692-7392.
PHEAA was created in 1963 and has developed into one of the nation’s leading student aid organizations.
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September 27, 2012
Harrisburg – September 27, 2012 – PHEAA’s guide to student financial aid is now available online, according to state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland). The guide can be accessed at PHEAA.org.
“Students and families continue to struggle to pay for college costs and need all the help they can get to access financial aid,” Brewster said. “With so many now using the internet to gather information, it is important that PHEAA have a comprehensive guide online.”
According to Brewster, PHEAA’s interactive Pennsylvania Student Aid Guide can be found on PHEAA’s website under the College Planning section. The Spanish language version of the guide will be available online in October.
The McKeesport lawmaker said that the comprehensive guide is a valuable resource where families can go to learn more about financial aid that may be available. The information online includes detail about the state grant program, work-study and the new Pennsylvania Targeted Industry program.
PHEAA’s guide can also help students, parents and families create a budget that estimates annual expenses. This is critically important in light of a recent report of the PEW Foundation that found that about one out of five, or nearly 20 percent, of the nation’s households owed student debt in 2010.
The PEW report indicated that the debt was more than double the share two decades earlier and was a significant rise from the 15 percent owed from just prior to the Great Recession. The survey also indicated that college enrollment has increased sharply during the Great Recession and tepid economic recovery. A record 40 percent of all households headed by someone younger than age 35 owe such debt, by far the highest share among any age group.
“It’s important for students, parents and families to explore every avenue available to find free or low cost financing of college costs,” Brewster said. “PHEAA’s online guide provides quick, authoritative and reliable information and is a tool that can be used effectively.”
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