Encourages Pennsylvania students who are blind, deaf, or have a visual or hearing impairment to apply for the Blind or Deaf Beneficiary Grant Program
In honor of May’s observance of Better Hearing & Speech Month, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is encouraging students who are blind, deaf, or have a visual or hearing impairment to apply for scholarships through the Blind or Deaf Beneficiary Grant Program.
PHEAA administers the state-funded Blind or Deaf Beneficiary Grant program on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The grant program is available to eligible Pennsylvania students who are blind, deaf, or have a visual or hearing impairment and are attending a postsecondary school on at least a half-time basis.
“The General Assembly recognizes the unique challenges that blind or deaf students face in their pursuit of postsecondary education,” said Senator Wayne Fontana, Chairman of the PHEAA Board of Directors. “The Blind or Deaf Beneficiary Grant Program was authorized to reduce the costs of education for blind or deaf students, opening many doors to improve the quality of their lives.”
To be considered for a Blind or Deaf Beneficiary Grant, students must:
Be a Pennsylvania resident
Supply written documentation to PHEAA showing they have been evaluated and are eligible to receive benefits from the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) or supply documentation from their physician regarding their visual and/or hearing impairment
Be enrolled at least half-time in a postsecondary institution and maintain satisfactory academic progress, as determined by the institution
File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year for which the grant funds are being requested
Scholarships up to $500 are available to blind or deaf students enrolled in postsecondary institutions for the 2024-25 academic year.
“It is our privilege to be able to offer financial assistance through the Blind or Deaf Beneficiary Grant Program with the support of the state government,” said James Steeley, PHEAA President & CEO. “We encourage all blind or deaf students who are Pennsylvania residents and enrolled in an eligible institution of higher education to take advantage of this opportunity to reduce their out-of-pocket costs.”
To apply, students must download and complete the Blind or Deaf Higher Education Beneficiary Grant Application on PHEAA.org. http://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/other-educational-aid/pdf/blind-deaf/beneficiary-application.pdf
About PHEAA
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1963 to provide affordable access to higher education for PA students and families. Through the years, PHEAA has evolved into one of the nation’s leading providers of student financial aid services, including the Commonwealth’s first state-based student loan program – PA Forward. PHEAA also serves millions of students through its loan guaranty, loan servicing, financial aid processing, and other programs.
PHEAA conducts student loan servicing operations nationally as American Education Services (AES).
