Need-Based

Immaculata University’s Office of Financial Aid administers a variety of need-based financial assistance programs.  A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed and submitted in order to be eligible for any of these programs.

Federal Programs

Immaculata University participates in a number of federal need-based grant programs. The general criteria for eligibility include enrollment in an eligible institution; status of citizen, national, or permanent resident of the U.S. or the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands; and demonstration of financial need. Need is defined as the difference between educational costs—tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, and personal expenses—and the amount the student and the student’s family can be expected to pay for the education as determined by the federal need analysis formula.

Please contact the Office of Financial Aid (484-323-3028 or finaid@immaculata.edu), if you have any questions or need any additional information regarding these programs.

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is a need-based federally funded grant. The awards vary in amounts and are based upon the eligibility criteria from the processed FAFSA. This grant is awarded to either full- or part-time enrolled undergraduate students pursuing their first degree-granting program.

Pennsylvania State Programs

Many states offer grants, based on financial need and full-time enrollment status, to their residents. Some of these grants may be used only at institutions within that state while others may be used at colleges outside the state. Students from states other than Pennsylvania should check with their state’s higher education office to determine whether or not they qualify.  Questions regarding PA State grant aid can be directed to the PHEAA Grant Division at 1-800-692-7392 or visit PHEAA’s website at www.pheaa.org.

Pennsylvania State Grant Program

First-time FAFSA applicants must also file the PA State Grant form at the end of the FAFSA application or by going to the PHEAA website. The PA State Grant deadline for submitting FAFSA is May 1 each year for the upcoming aid year.

The PA State Grant is available for a maximum of 8 semesters for qualified full-time students and 16 semesters for qualified part-time students. Full-time students must earn at least 24 credits each academic year they receive a full-time grant. Part-time students must earn at least 12 credits each academic year they receive a part-time grant.

Financial eligibility for the PA State Grant is determined by PHEAA. Other eligibility requirements (academic progress, enrollment, etc.) are determined by Immaculata University. Students may be granted an estimated PA State Grant when they apply but learn they are no longer eligible after Immaculata University has completed its review each semester.

The Chafee Education and Training Grant (ETG) Program

The Chafee Education and Training Grant (ETG) Program is a federally funded program administered through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). This grant offers assistance to Pennsylvania undergraduate students aging out of foster care who are attending a post-secondary institution. Maximum awards are $5,000 per academic year and are contingent upon federal funding; thus they are not guaranteed.

Educational Assistance Program (EAP)

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) together with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), administer the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) for members of the Pennsylvania National Guard. This program provides tuition assistance for students who enter into a service commitment with the Pennsylvania National Guard, typically for a period of six years.

Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program

The Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program is administered through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). This 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 (federal, state, and other scholarships or grants) have been applied to the student’s account. For specific questions related to the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program, students may contact Dina Stern, Director of Financial Aid, at dstern@immaculata.edu or 484-323-3025.

For more information about these Pennsylvania State Programs, please contact the Office of Financial Aid (484-323-3028 or finaid@immaculata.edu), if you have any questions or need any additional information regarding these programs.

Grow PA Scholarship Grant

The Grow PA Scholarship Grant was created to address the growing crisis of a declining workforce within the state of Pennsylvania. This grant will award up to $5,000 per year to students who are currently in an eligible program of study for an in-demand occupation. The awards will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis (based on the date received of the student's complete application).

There are over 460 eligible programs of study or majors that lead to in-demand occupations in a variety of fields, such as agriculture, business, education, computer science, STEM, nursing, allied health, and criminal justice. See the list of eligible majors and get more details about the program. After graduation, you must commit to work in Pennsylvania, within the in-demand occupation, for a number of years equal to the number of years in which you received the grant. That means your total years of Grow PA Grant funding must equal your total years of qualifying employment in the state—up to 4 years.