What Is Success In Somerset County?

An education initiative developed by the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce, Success in Somerset County creates awareness of career, job and educational opportunities in Somerset County through panels, tours and specialized programs. A special emphasis is placed on high-demand jobs and industries in the area. In 2013, the Chamber applied for direct funding under the Routes Grant funded by the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies to launch Success in Somerset County as a pilot program. Click here to read more about this program.

Action Mentoring - Sporting Clays Winners

First Place - John Centi
Second Place - Jim Zimmerman
Third Place - Ron Hillegas

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors!
Global/SFC Valve Corp.
Somerset Trust Company
Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Highlands Resort Realty
PA Highlands Community College
UPMC Somerset
Ford Business Machines
State Farm Insurance Angi Tennant, CLU
The EADS Group

Penn Highlands Open Houses

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be holding an in-person Open House at its facilities. Prospective students and their guest may choose from one of five sessions to attend:

• November 11^th: 2pm or 4pm
• November 12^th: 2pm, 4pm, or 6pm

Individuals will learn about Penn Highlands and its opportunities, including degree programs and coursework, transfer options, and financial assistance opportunities. Information on student life, including clubs, activities, and athletics, will also be presented. Faculty and alumni will be on-hand to discuss their personal experiences.

As an added incentive, prospective students will be eligible to win a 2021-2022 tuition voucher, good for a $250 discount, if they complete a survey while in attendance.

To attend, individuals must RSVP online at www.pennhighlands.edu/openhouse/.

PA Forward Parent Plus Loans

Helping parents and/or guardians help to cover the costs of college is exactly why the PA Forward Student Loan Program was established. PA Forward Parent Loans offer a competitive, fixed interest rate, along with zero fees and multiple repayment plans. Before taking out a parent loan, families should explore all options. Encourage them to use this chart to help compare the new PA Forward Parent Loan with the Federal Parent PLUS Loan. For more information, visit PHEAA.org/PAForward.

Schoolhouse Connection Leadership & Scholarship Application
The Schoolhouse Connection Leadership and Scholarship Application is now open.

PHEAA Financial Aid has gone virtual
Engage with us on social media, through webinars, and even virtual one-on-ones! Learn more at PHEAA.org/virtual.

PA School Services Reminders:

• Join us for our Financial Aid Workshop for Educators to learn more about State Grant and Special Programs, federal grants and loans, campus-based aid, financial literacy, and the FAFSA application process. To ensure the health and safety of our colleagues and attendees, the workshops will be presented via webinar this year. Check your email for your invitation and steps to register.
• The State Grant and Special Programs Webinar Series is back! Starting in September, join us each month for a web seminar on a specific special program or eligibility topic. Details, including session descriptions and registration information, will be available on PHEAA.org/SGSPtraining. If you have a topic that you wish to see featured as a training session, please send us your suggestion!

Presented by PHEAA:  Borrowing for Higher Education
PHEAA now offers a series of one-hour webinars focused more specifically on the borrowing aspect of higher education finance.  A significant percentage of students find that grants, scholarships, work-study, savings, PA529, and other funding sources are insufficient to meet the total cost of attending postsecondary school.  In an ideal situation, borrowing would not be necessary; yet, considering the lifelong value of a higher education, borrowing can be a smart investment.  Linda Pacewicz and Dan Wray of PHEAA's PA Forward Private Student Loan Program will provide an in-depth look at federal and private education loans, to include calculating the amount to borrow, understanding loan terms and conditions, navigating the application process, keeping an eye on debt levels while attending college, and effectively managing debt after graduation.  The discussion will also provide a glimpse into the world of credit decisions.  Please register below to join us for one or more of these informative presentations.  Active participation is encouraged via Q&A!

Click here to register
https://pheaa-events500.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=pheaa-events500&service=6

No Gap Year Here!
College students say they’re ready to get back to campus! Learn more at salliemae.com.

FAFSA4caster Will No Longer Be Available
Starting Sept. 27, 2020, FAFSA4caster, an eligibility estimator tool for federal student aid, will no longer be available. Instead, you can direct students to StudentAid.gov/resources to view electronic versions of publications, fact sheets, and other materials to help them prepare and pay for college or career school.

National Student Aid Profile
Despite the demonstrable and continually increasing importance of federal student aid, the majority of Americans have little knowledge of the Title IV programs or the processes necessary to apply for these funds. In an effort to increase knowledge of these vital programs, NASFAA provides the National Student Aid Profile, which is updated annually.

The National Profile provides detailed information about each of the programs authorized under Title IV of the HEA, including:

• Descriptions of the federal student aid programs;
• Updated data on the number of recipients, total volume of awards, and average aid amount for each program;
• Recent trends in federal appropriations for the Title IV programs;
• Income levels of students and families who receive aid; and
• A description of the federal student aid application process.

FAFSA Information

FAFSA Completion Help
To help Pennsylvania families complete the FAFSA® PHEAA has partnered with PASFAA to conduct FAFSA Completion Help Events from October through April. These sessions are free to the public. Review the FAFSA checklist to view a list of the documents/information that families need to complete the FAFSA form.

PA State Grant Application
To be considered for a PA State Grant, students must complete the FAFSA. First-time applicants must also complete the State Grant Form (SGF), which gathers additional information needed for determining eligibility and financial need. The PA State Grant Form User Guide is available for your use in assisting students as they complete the SGF.

Get Involved, Get Connected

Want to showcase your business or organization on this page? Click here to learn how you can get involved.