Federal Pell Grants

The federal Pell Grant program provides grants from the federal government to both full and part-time undergraduate students. Apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)

Awarded to full-time undergraduate students who are making academic progress and show demonstrated financial need based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Pennsylvania State Grants

Residents of Pennsylvania who are attending school full-time or part-time (at least 6 credits in a semester), who have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), have financial need, and are making satisfactory academic progress, may quality for a PA State Grant. For more information regarding eligibility and deadlines, please visit the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) website. 

Pennsylvania Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver (FosterEd) Program

The FosterEd Program provides a waiver of 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 to cover tuition and fees only. For additional information regarding this program and other educational aid, please visit the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) website.

Seton Hill Points of Contact for the FosterEd Program:

• For assistance with referrals/resources/verification, students who are a part of the TRIO Student Support Services program at Seton Hill may contact Ms. Connie Kugel: 724-838-7842 or ckugel@setonhill.edu 
• Students who are not a part of the TRIO Student Support Services program - or are unsure if they are a part of the program - may contact Lynda Sukolsky: 724-838-7834 or sukolsky@setonhill.edu
• Any student who has questions regarding their Financial Aid please contact Tracey Snyder de Baez: 724-830-1010 or snyderdebaez@setonhill.edu

Grants From Other States

If you reside in a reciprocal state, you may qualify for a state grant and be able to bring your grant into Pennsylvania. The amounts may vary. Please contact your state agency about application procedures and deadline dates.

Unlike other forms of aid, loans must be repaid.

Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program

This federal loan is available to students enrolled on at least a half-time basis. The amount students can borrow each academic year is based on class level. Freshmen can borrow a maximum of $5,500, sophomores can borrow a maximum of $6,500 and juniors and seniors can borrow a maximum of $7,500 per academic year. 

The Federal Direct Stafford Loan will be part of the financial aid offer package and the student must submit the FAFSA form in order to qualify. The loan will be certified by the Financial Aid Office once the student has accepted the loan and completed all loan requirements.

You must repay a student loan even if your financial circumstances become difficult.  Loans can't be canceled because you didn't get the education or job you expected, and they can't be cancelled because you didn't complete your education (unless you couldn't complete your education because your school closed).  If you don't make your student loan payment or make your payment late, your loan may eventually go into default.  If you default on your student loan, that status will be reported to credit bureaus, and your credit rating and future borrowing ability will be damaged.  In addition, legal action can be taken to require payment through garnishment of wages and withholding of tax refunds.

Completing a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note & Entrance Counseling

You can apply for a Federal Direct Stafford Loan and complete the required Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling session at: StudentAid.gov. (Do not complete before July 1 of the year in which you will be attending college.) Once you have applied and completed all requirements, Seton Hill's Financial Aid Office will be notified and we will be able to complete the certification process. 

Federal Direct PLUS Loan

This loan is for parents of dependent undergraduate students. Parents who are credit approved may borrow a PLUS loan each year to assist in meeting college expenses that are not covered by other financial aid resources. This loan will not appear on the Financial Aid offer. The maximum amount a parent may borrow equals the total cost of attendance minus the student's total financial aid. Repayment traditionally begins within 60 days of the final disbursement of the loan, although parents may choose to make interest payments only and defer the principle until the student graduates. To obtain current interest rates please visit StudentAid.gov

Completing a Federal Direct PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note

To apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan, visit StudentAid.gov. (Do not complete before July 1 of the year in which your student will be attending college.)