HARRISBURG: Eligible Pennsylvania students can now apply for the Grow PA Scholarship Grant for the 2026-2027 academic year — a program designed to keep skilled graduates living and working in the Commonwealth.
The Grow PA Scholarship Grant provides up to $5,000 per year to in-state students who pursue a degree or certification in an approved high-demand field. The program is administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), the state agency responsible for higher education financial aid programs.
Applications are now available at pheaa.org/growpa.
What Is The Grow PA Scholarship?
The Grow PA Scholarship was created to address workforce shortages across Pennsylvania by incentivizing students to train in occupations that are currently in demand — and remain in the state after graduation.
Under the program:
- Students may receive up to $5,000 per academic year
- Funding is available for the 2026-2027 academic year
- Awards apply to approved degree or certification programs
- Recipients must agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in their field after graduation
The grant functions as a workforce retention tool, helping students reduce tuition costs while strengthening Pennsylvania’s labor pipeline.
Eligible Fields Of Study
According to program guidelines, qualifying courses of study include:
- Agriculture
- Computer science
- Business
- Education
- STEM education
- Nursing
- Criminal justice
- Other programs approved by PHEAA
These categories reflect occupations facing staffing shortages statewide, including in rural communities across Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, Clarion, Cameron, and Forest counties — the core DuBoisLIVE coverage area.
Healthcare, education, and skilled technical roles remain among the most difficult positions to fill in many parts of northern and western Pennsylvania.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Grow PA Scholarship Grant, applicants must:
- Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Enroll in an approved program of study
- Agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in that occupation after graduation
- Fulfill a 12-month in-state employment commitment for each year the grant is received
For example, a student who receives the grant for two academic years must complete two years of qualifying employment in Pennsylvania after graduation.
Failure to meet the residency and employment requirement may result in the grant converting to a repayment obligation.
Why This Matters For Rural Pennsylvania
Workforce shortages have been particularly acute in rural counties. Hospitals, school districts, agricultural operations, law enforcement agencies, and small businesses have all reported hiring challenges in recent years.
Programs like Grow PA aim to:
- Retain local graduates
- Reduce “brain drain” to other states
- Strengthen small-town economies
- Support critical infrastructure industries
For students in DuBois, Brookville, St. Marys, Emporium, Clearfield, and surrounding communities, the scholarship represents both financial relief and a pathway to remain close to home while building a career.
How To Apply
Students interested in applying should:
- Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible
- Review approved programs and eligibility requirements
- Submit their application through pheaa.org/growpa or using this form: https://www.pheaa.org/documents/funding-opportunities/grow-pa/2026-27-grow-pa-grant-application.pdf.
Because funding may be limited, early application is encouraged.
Pennsylvania officials say the long-term goal of Grow PA is simple: invest in students today so they can invest back into their communities tomorrow.
