Federal & State Grants


Luzerne County Community College participates in Federal and State Grant programs including the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant through the U.S. Department of Education and Pennsylvania State Grant and Special Programs through PHEAA to help offset the cost of higher education. Students who have completed a FAFSA, are enrolled at the institution and meet eligibility requirements may be eligible for federal and state grant assistance. Federal and State grants are free and generally do not have to be repaid.

Federal Pell Grant

Administered by the U.S. Department of Education, the Pell grant is awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree and demonstrate exceptional financial need. Students must complete a FAFSA for each year they are seeking eligibility for the Pell grant. Amounts change yearly. The full Pell grant award for the 2021/2022 Academic Year is $6495.

How Much Am I Eligible For?

The amount awarded depends on:

  • EFC: Expected Family Contribution - determined by the information provided on the FAFSA;
  • COA: Cost Of Attendance - determined by the institution;
  • Status as a full or part-time student;
  • Full or partial academic year;
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress.

* Individuals incarcerated in a federal or state penal institution are not eligible for the Pell grant.

FSEOG - Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Awarded to students who demonstrate extreme financial need. Students must complete the FAFSA for each year they are seeking eligibility for the FSEOG grant. Amounts change yearly and eligibility and award amounts are determined by the institution.

How Will I Know IF I received a Federal Grant?

Students can log into Self Service and select the Financial Aid. The portal page will outline for students the Federal grants awarded each term.


Pennsylvania State Grant

Administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, the PA State grant is based on financial need. To apply for the state grant, students must first complete a FAFSA. Deadline to complete the FAFSA for first time students is August 1 and May 1 for continuing students. The PA State grant application can be accessed on the Summary page of a completed FAFSA or by logging into the American Education services website at www.aessuccess.org.

Am I Eligible?

To be eligible for PA State grant, a student must:

  • Have a financial need;
  • Complete a FAFSA for the academic year in which they are seeking the grant;
  • Be a high school graduate;
  • Be enrolled in at least a 2 year academic program;
  • Registered for 6 or more credits each term;
  • Have satisfactory academic progress as defined by PHEAA;
  • Has not obtained a bachelor's degree;
  • Are a Pennsylvania resident meeting domicile regulation;
  • Have satisfactory character;
  • Not be in default on an educational loan;
  • Not have exceeded the maximum number of state grants permitted.

Pennsylvania State Grant Special Programs

CHAFEE Grant - Pennsylvania State Grant partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, offers grant assistance to Pennsylvania undergraduate students who are aging out of the foster care system. For additional information or to download an application visit
PHEAA.org.

Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver Program - The Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver Program (FosterEd) 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 eligibility requirements, visit PHEAA.org.

EAP - the Pennsylvania National Guard Education Assistance Program is administered by PHEAA and the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veteran Affairs for Pennsylvania National Guard members with a 6 year commitment. For more information, National Guard members can contact their NCO (Noncommissioned Officer) at their unit of assignment.

RTSS - The Ready to Succeed Scholarship program allows students who demonstrate a financial need (annual family income of less than $110,000), have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have completed one academic year at a participating college the opportunity to be nominated for an RTSS scholarship. There is no student application. Nominations are made by the college. A FAFSA and State Grant form must be completed to be considered. PHEAA will contact students awarded the grant. LCCC is a RTSS participating institution. For more information, visit PHEAA.org.

Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Programs (PA-TIP) - The Pennsylvania General Assembly created PA-TIP in 2012 to prepare students with the skills in high demand by today's employers. The program, which is funded by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and administered by PHEAA, provides awards to students enrolled in programs of study in the following career areas: Energy, Health, Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing and Agriculture and Food Production. PA-TIP provides need-based awards up to the equivalent of the maximum award (currently $4,123)*, or 75% of the student's total direct educational costs after gift aid and employers aid whichever is less. Awards can be used to cover tuition, books, fees, supplies, and specific living expenses. For more information, visit PHEAA.org.

PATH Program - Through the PATH (Partnerships for Access to Higher Education) Program, qualifying students who have already been awarded a scholarship or grant by one of our PHEAA PATH Partners may be eligible for additional grant money. For additional information, visit PHEAA.org.

Students can create an account with American Education Services. The account allows students to view their State grant funding for current and previous academic years and update personal and school information. Students can also log into the Financial Aid Self Service Portal. The portal page will outline for students the Federal and State grants awarded each term.

Federal and state grants are disbursed directly to the college to pay tuition and fees. Awards will appear on a student's Financial Aid Self Service portal page as “Anticipated” until the college receives the funding from the Federal and State governments. The funding will then show as “Disbursed” on the portal site. Credit balances remaining from grant sources after payment of tuition and fees can be used to setup a Bookstore account at the college or will be refunded to the student by the Business Office.

The college receives Federal and State grant awards approximately 30 to 60 days after the start of each academic term. Once received, credit balances will be refunded to students by the Business Office within 10 to 14 business days. Refund checks are mailed directly to students through the U.S Postal Service.