@Portercat Don’t know if you pulled this from the pheaa site, but also very interesting read.
https://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/state-grant-program/pdf/2017-2018/Program-Manual.pdf
PA state grant calculation uses FAFSA EFC. And yes, there is a simplified needs test for FAFSA, where assets are ignored if income is under $50,000 and certain other requirements are met.
Also, the money in PA 529 account can be subtracted from assets that were reported on FAFSA.
The state grant amount depends on FAFSA EFC, Pell Grant, and need. It also is different for state schools, state related, and private.
Thought I would mention here about the results from our Honors night at the high school. As expected, the majority were going nearby, several to Penn State branch, with a few outliers, Florida and South Carolina, which I have never seen before.
There were quite a few going to Bloom. And they had scholarships! I’m doubt they were much, but they did receive something. So for Honor Society kids, and ours is easy to qualify for, there is some money there.
Nine new degrees get the fast track at Pennsylvania’s State System universities
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/06/05/State-System-of-Higher-Education-new-degrees-PASSHE-universities-Cal-U-West-Chester-Shippensburg/stories/201806040148