PHEAA'S PA State Grant Academic Progress Policy

Academic progress for the PA State Grant, as defined by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), is different from federal satisfactory academic progress. PA State Grant progress is reviewed annually after the spring semester and is defined as successfully completing a minimum of 12 new credits for each full-time semester of state grant received (6 new credits for each part-time semester grant received) during the preceding academic year. Students enrolled in four-year programs may receive a maximum of 8 full-time semester grants (or the equivalent), while students in two-year programs may receive a maximum of 4 full-time semester grants (or the equivalent).

After PHEAA determines that a student is eligible for a PA State Grant, the Student Financial Services Office, on behalf of the University, determines whether the student is maintaining satisfactory academic progress. The University must cancel the student's state grant, even after the initial award is made by PHEAA, if the student is found not to be making satisfactory academic progress. Questions about PHEAA's academic progress policy should be directed to PHEAA at
1-800-692-7392.

Students who believe they have grounds to request an exception to PHEAA's academic progress policy must contact PHEAA at 1-800-692-7392 to request a State Grant Program Academic Progress Exception Form.

Note: (1) Students should refer to the complete written progress requirements sent by PHEAA with their state grant award notice. (2 Non-Pennsylvania State Grant programs may have different Satisfactory Academic Progress guidelines. Students with those awards should refer to their state grant award letters for program-specific requirements.