Understanding Penn Highlands Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Opportunities
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College stands as a prominent two-year institution in the region, committed to providing accessible and quality education. Understanding the costs associated with attending, along with the available financial aid options, is crucial for prospective students and their families. This article delves into the tuition structure, associated fees, estimated cost of attendance, and various financial aid avenues offered by Penn Highlands.
Tuition and Fees for 2025-2026 Academic Year
The tuition and fees outlined below are effective starting with the Fall 2025 semester (August). Penn Highlands provides multiple payment options to accommodate students' diverse financial situations.
Per-Credit Costs
Tuition at Penn Highlands is structured on a per-credit basis, with rates varying based on residency:
- Cambria County Residents: \$244 per credit
- Somerset County Residents: \$319 per credit
- Other Pennsylvania Residents: \$327 per credit
- Out-of-State Residents: \$458 per credit
- Accelerated College Education (ACE): \$71 per credit
- Summer Session Developmental Courses: \$71 per credit
- Course Audit: \$50 per credit
- Senior Course Audit: \$25 per credit
The total per-credit price includes tuition, comprehensive fees, and capital fees. Additional class/laboratory fees or the cost of books and supplies are not included in this cost.
Additional Fees
Beyond the per-credit tuition, students may encounter other fees:
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- Laboratory Fee (per course): \$10 - \$500
- includED® Course Materials Fee (per course): Up to \$150
- Histotechnology Fee (per credit): \$230
- Prior Learning Assessment Fee: \$150
- Late Registration Fee: \$50
- ACE Late Registration Fee: \$25
- Course Audit (per credit): \$50
- Senior Course Audit (per credit; 55 & older; Cambria resident): \$25
- Returned Check/Re-Issue Check Fee: \$25
- Payment Plan Fee: \$25
- Payment Plan Late Fee: \$10
- Duplicate Diploma: \$10
- ID Replacement: \$5
The includED® Course Materials Fee covers the cost of digital course materials at a discounted cost for a select list of courses.
Breakdown of Per Credit Tuition & Fees
A detailed breakdown of the per-credit tuition and fees includes:
| Tuition | Comprehensive Fee | Capital Fee | Total* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambria County Residents | \$174 | \$70 | \$0 | \$244 |
| Somerset County Residents | \$249 | \$70 | \$0 | \$319 |
| Other Pennsylvania Residents | \$249 | \$70 | \$8 | \$327 |
| Out-of-State | \$380 | \$70 | \$8 | \$458 |
| Accelerated College Education (ACE) | \$71 | \$0 | \$0 | \$71 |
| Summer Session Developmental | \$71 | \$0 | \$0 | \$71 |
| Course Audit | \$50 | \$0 | \$0 | \$50 |
| Senior Citizen Course Audit | \$25 | \$0 | \$0 | \$25 |
* Total price includes tuition, comprehensive fees, and capital fees. However, this cost does not include individual class/laboratory fees or the cost of books and supplies.
Comprehensive Services Fee
The Comprehensive Services Fee is charged to all students enrolling in credit courses. This fee supports the non-academic services provided to students and covers expenses related to graduation, activities, transcript requests, etc.
Capital Fee
The Capital Fee is assessed to students who reside in non-sponsored counties to support the cost of capital projects, facility maintenance, and building improvements. Residents of Cambria and Somerset Counties are exempt from the Capital Fee because these counties allocate funds to help cover capital costs.
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Estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) for 2024-2025
The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) provides a comprehensive overview of expenses for students enrolled full-time throughout the academic year. Medical students should budget an additional \$1,500 for supplies, and those receiving loans should allocate an extra \$50 for loan servicing fees.
The COA varies depending on whether a student is a commuter (living at home with parents or being provided room and board without charge) or living off-campus.
Cambria County Residents - COA
| Expense | Commuter | Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | \$5,220 | \$5,220 |
| Fees | \$2,100 | \$2,100 |
| Living Expenses | \$2,250 | \$5,700 |
| Transportation | \$1,800 | \$1,800 |
| Books & Supplies | \$2,000 | \$2,000 |
| Personal | \$500 | \$500 |
| Total | \$13,870 | \$17,320 |
Somerset County Residents - COA
| Expense | Commuter | Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | \$7,470 | \$7,470 |
| Fees | \$2,100 | \$2,100 |
| Living Expenses | \$2,250 | \$5,700 |
| Transportation | \$1,800 | \$1,800 |
| Books & Supplies | \$2,000 | \$2,000 |
| Personal | \$500 | \$500 |
| Total | \$16,120 | \$19,570 |
Other County Residents - COA
| Expense | Commuter | Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | \$7,470 | \$7,470 |
| Fees | \$2,340 | \$2,340 |
| Living Expenses | \$2,250 | \$5,700 |
| Transportation | \$1,800 | \$1,800 |
| Books & Supplies | \$2,000 | \$2,000 |
| Personal | \$500 | \$500 |
| Total | \$16,360 | \$19,810 |
Out of State Residents - COA
| Expense | Commuter | Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | \$11,400 | \$11,400 |
| Fees | \$2,340 | \$2,340 |
| Living Expenses | \$2,250 | \$5,700 |
| Transportation | \$1,800 | \$1,800 |
| Books & Supplies | \$2,000 | \$2,000 |
| Personal | \$500 | \$500 |
| Total | \$20,290 | \$23,740 |
Financial Aid Opportunities
Financial aid is a critical resource for many students, and Penn Highlands offers various avenues to help make education affordable. Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.
Types of Financial Aid
Financial aid comes in two different forms: gift aid and self-help aid. Gift aid includes grants and scholarships and does not require repayment. Self-help aid must be earned or paid back. It includes student loans and federal work-study. Students who choose to receive loans must pay them back with interest. Students who participate in the Federal Work Study program must work to earn a paycheck to receive any benefit. The majority of our funds are provided through federal, state, and institutional programs.
- Grants: These are typically need-based and do not require repayment.
- Scholarships: These can be merit-based or need-based and also do not require repayment.
- Loans: These must be repaid with interest.
- Federal Work-Study: This program allows students to earn money through part-time employment.
Eligibility for Financial Aid
To be eligible for financial aid, students must:
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- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen.
- Have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau).
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program.
- Be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school.
- Sign the certification statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form stating that you are not in default on a federal student loan, you do not owe money on a federal student grant, and you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.
- Show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate; or completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law (or-if state law does not require a homeschooled student to obtain a completion credential-completing a high school education in a homeschool setting that qualifies as an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law).
At Penn Highlands, students who reside Out of State must be taking at least one in-person course. Other requirements may apply. Contact the Financial Aid Office at Pennsylvania Highlands for more information.
Financial Aid Statistics
At Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, 34 percent of undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, and the average scholarship or grant award is \$3,637.
Net Price and Affordability
The average net price, which is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships, is \$5,790 per year. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.
Financial Aid Dates
- Application Due: Not available
- Priority Application Due: Not available
- Notification Date: Not available
- Response Due: Not available
Financial Aid for Military Families
Penn Highlands is committed to making education affordable for active-duty military, veterans, members of the reserve and National Guard, and their dependents. Eligible students will pay the same low tuition and fees as local Cambria County residents, even if they live outside Pennsylvania.
Tuition & Fees From Previous Years
Tuition and Fees (2024-2025 Per Credit)
The below tuition and fees applied to the 2024-2025 academic year, from the Fall 2024 semester (August) through the Summer 2025 semester (May/July).
| Total Tuition and Fees Per Credit* | |
|---|---|
| Cambria County Residents | \$237 |
| Somerset County Residents | \$310 |
| Other Pennsylvania Residents | \$318 |
| Out-of-State | \$445 |
| Accelerated College Education (ACE) | \$69 |
| Summer Session Developmental Courses | \$69 |
| Course Audit | \$50 |
| Senior Course Audit | \$25 |
* Total price includes tuition, comprehensive fees, and capital fees. However, this cost does not include individual class/laboratory fees or the cost of books and supplies.
Tuition and Fees (2023-2024 Per Credit)
The below tuition and fees applied to the 2023-2024 academic year, from the Fall 2023 semester (August) through the Summer 2024 semester (May/July).
| Total Tuition and Fees Per Credit* | |
|---|---|
| Cambria County Residents | \$233 |
| Somerset County Residents | \$304 |
| Other Pennsylvania Residents | \$312 |
| Out-of-State | \$436 |
| Accelerated College Education (ACE) | \$68 |
| Summer Session Developmental Courses | \$68 |
| Course Audit | \$50 |
| Senior Course Audit | \$25 |
* Total price includes tuition, comprehensive fees, and capital fees. However, this cost does not include individual class/laboratory fees or the cost of books and supplies.
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