Financial Aid & Resources
Education is an investment in your future. In order to alleviate some of the financial burden, financial aid is available to qualified students and their families. Financial aid recipients must be enrolled in our school of specialized technology programs (AMT or AET).
PIA’s Financial Aid office is available to assist students and families with the process of applying for financial aid. Our website will answer your questions and guide you through the process of applying.
If you have questions about this information please e-mail our Financial Aid Department at Financialaid@pia.edu or call 1-800-444-1440.
CAUTION! Do not pay a fee to apply for financial aid or scholarships. The FAFSA and legitimate scholarship applications are free.
Financial Aid News
Helpful Resources
Financial Aid Programs
A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be completed by anyone seeking a college education. It is the portal to help determine many of the following programs. PIA’s School code is 005310.
- Federal Pell Grant. Students may be eligible for the Pell Grant regardless of their state of residency.
- Pennsylvania State Grant administered by Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Students must be a PA resident attending the Pittsburgh Campus.
- Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
- Direct Parent PLUS Loans
- Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
- Private Undergraduate Education Loans
- Pennsylvania Chafee Education and Training Grant (ETG) Program (Donata Clark is PIA’s Point of Contact for this program)
- Free student aid-related COVID-19 guidance for students, families and student loan borrowers
- PA Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program (Pittsburgh Campus Only) Postsecondary Tuition Waivers for Eligible Foster Care Youth (Donata Clark is PIA’s Point of Contact for this program)
- Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
- PIA Institutional Match Grant PIA will provide a total of 36 Institutional match grants for each fiscal year. The four quarters are as follows: July through September (nine grants), October through December (nine grants), January through March (nine grants), and April through June (nine grants). If PIA does not award nine grants during a quarter, they will carry over to the subsequent quarter to ensure all students have access to the grant.
New to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
Take a moment and learn more by watching this short 2 minute video.
Three Primary Types of Aid
There are 3 different types of aid within the term ‘Financial Aid’
- Grants: monetary awards that don’t need to be repaid.
- Scholarships: monetary gift aid that does not need to be repaid.
- Loans: monetary awards that must be repaid.
The FSA ID is a username and password. The FSA ID being used to access personal financial aid information online and electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents. Your FSA ID confirms your identity when you access your financial aid information and electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents.
- Click the link to create an FSA ID
- Create a username and password and enter your email address
- Enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, contact information and challenge questions answers
- Review your information for accuracy and read and accept the terms and conditions
- Confirm your email address using the secure code, which will be sent to your email address. After you verify your email you can use it instead of your username to log in.
An individual who already has a Federal PIN has the option to link that PIN to their newly-created FSA ID during registration. By linking to a “matched” PIN, you will be able to immediately use the FSA ID. It is recommended that you link your existing PIN to immediately use the FSA ID.
If you forgot the PIN, please choose “Forgot My PIN” during the FSA ID Registration process.
Step 2: Complete the FAFSA
To apply for federal student financial aid, and to apply for many state student aid programs, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is a federal form and a requirement at PIA for all students who wish to be considered for need based financial aid, including the federal PLUS loan. The information you provide on your FAFSA determines if you are eligible for financial aid. The following items will help you complete the FAFSA:
- PIA’s School code: 005310
- Income tax return or estimated income
- W-2 forms and other records of money earned
- Records of untaxed income
- Current bank statements
- Business and farm records
- Records of investments
- Student’s driver’s license
- Social Security card
Step 3: Contact PIA's Financial Aid Department
After you have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), we advise you to contact your financial aid adviser to notify them that the application has been submitted. Generally within 72 hours PIA is able to retrieve an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) and begin the evaluation for an individualized financial plan. In the chance that additional information is required, your financial aid adviser will be in contact.
Step 4: Complete Federal Loan Entrance Counseling
If you are a first time borrower to the Direct Loan program, you must complete the entrance counseling before receiving the first disbursement of your federal Direct Loan. The counseling includes information about your rights and responsibilities of being a loan borrower. This can be done by using your FSA ID to log in at www.studentloans.gov.
Step 5: Complete and Sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN)
Student loans awarded through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program require a completed electronic Master Promissory Note (MPN). All Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized and Direct PLUS borrowers are required to complete the eMPN before any loan funds can be disbursed. This can be done by using your FSA ID to log in at www.studentloans.gov.
Step 6: Apply for Private Loans
Private Loans are from private institutions and will require a credit check. These private loans are not Federally Guaranteed and the interest rate on your loan will generally be higher than Federal Direct Loans and will depend on your credit score and/or ability to find a co-signer. Borrowers are strongly encouraged to fully borrow through the federal loan programs, as well as apply for other federal, state, and private financial aid options which may be available to you, before borrowing through a private loan program.
Please Note: Private Loan brochures and Self Certifying Forms are available upon request in the Financial Aid Office. As the borrower, you have the right to use any lender. We do not endorse, or recommend, any lender. As a convenience to you, the borrower, we have contacted a number of lenders to gather information regarding their student loan program. The list was developed using a request for information (RFI) process, and contains the lenders that indicated they will make loans to students attending our school.
Further, as the borrower, you should ensure that you understand the exact interest rate you will pay over the life of the loan, which may vary, as well as the terms and conditions of loans from the lender you select.
Net Price Calculator
In accordance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA), PIA has provided the following net price calculator. This calculator is based on institutional data from FY 2020-2021, and is designed to provide prospective students and their families with estimated price information, based on a student’s individual circumstances.
It is important to note that calculations required for the Net Price Calculator are derived from typical 9 month college attendance structure, which can result in adverse differences in the actual cost of attendance for PIA students. PIA’s recommendation is to always complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and allow the Financial Aid Department to supply accurate information specifically for you.
Financial Aid FormsRequest Tax Transcripts
After completing the FAFSA, there may be times when additional supporting documentation regarding tax information is required. Below are some helpful tools for obtaining necessary tax transcripts.
Online Application
- Go to www.irs.gov
- Under “TOOLS” (middle of the page in red) Click on “Order a Return or Account Transcript”
- Under “Go Get Your Transcript”, Click on “Order a Transcript”
- Enter the Social Security Number, the Date of Birth and the address provided on the tax return for the primary filer
- Enter the tax year and if you are requesting the return or an account transcript (request a return transcript)
Paper Application
If you are unable to request your tax transcripts online, please complete a Form 4506-T: Request for Transcript of Tax Return.
The transcript will be mailed to the address on the tax return. Upon receipt, please mail the appropriate forms to PIA.
Scholarships
The National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA) Scholarship Program
The National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA) is proud to have given away more than $750,000 in scholarships to aspiring aviators, helping them become safe, qualified members of the worldwide aviation community. The cost of education and training is one of the most challenging barriers to entry for those interested in aviation as a career. Whether it's getting a private pilot's license, an advanced certificate or rating, or even an A&P license or float plane endorsement, NGPA scholarships provide a stepping stone for aspiring individuals at a crucial point in their journey. The 2022 Scholarship Application cycle is now open.- Please use the following link to apply: https://www.ngpa.org/2022scholarships
- Please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVYeaAD3ZWA to learn more about the NGPA scholarship program.
- Please visit https://www.ngpa.org/about_scholarships to view frequently asked questions about NGPA scholarships.
The NetJets Aviation Maintenance SkillPointe Scholarship
COLUMBUS, OHIO, April 4, 2022 – To develop America’s aviation maintenance workforce and provide new opportunities for aspiring individuals of all backgrounds, NetJets and SkillPointe Foundation have established a new scholarship program that will fund aviation maintenance training in strategic markets around the United States. The NetJets Aviation Maintenance SkillPointe Scholarship supports vocational training that empowers Americans to build better lives while providing the aviation industry with needed talent. A total of ten $5,000 grants will be awarded by the Atlanta-based SkillPointe Foundation during 2022 and 2023. Scholarships are available to individuals of all backgrounds pursuing vocational training in aviation maintenance and related fields. The NetJets Aviation Maintenance SkillPointe Scholarship prioritizes applicants planning to work in the following locations, nearest NetJets Service Hubs™:
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David J. Forgac Aviation Scholarship
Updated Deadline: February 14th, 2022 David J Forgac Aviation Scholarship Fund was founded following the untimely passing of and in memory for David J. Forgac. David was an avid pilot, A&P Mechanic and Aviation Instructor. Being a father of two girls, he taught them the value of understanding mechanical theories both simple and complex and would take them for flying lessons every chance he got. He was passionate about the industry and the valuable leadership and unique perspective that women bring to it. David often asked his daughters a complex question “how do we get more girls/women interested in this industry?”. Inspired by his desire to be part of the solution, we have created this Fund for girls/women pursuing an aviation related career. As this year is our 2nd year presenting awards, we will present a $1,000 Scholarship to two females who have been selected through the application process. Attached is our application and additional information. Each applicant must provide a 500 word essay in response to one of the two options below: Option A) There has been an increased awareness of the value that women add to many male dominated fields. How do you recommend we get more women involved in aviation? Option B) Aviation is currently a mostly male dominated field. How did you find yourself in this program/field and what are the challenges that you worried about or worry you will need to overcome? How will you or did you overcome them? Email the essay and application to: DJFASF2019@gmail.com no later than Feb 14th, 2022. Awards will be announced on Feb. 22, 2022.Lockheed Martin Vocational Scholarship Program
In January 2020, Lockheed Martin launched the Vocational Scholarship program to support students of all ages participating in skills-based training in engineering, technology and advanced manufacturing fields. The Vocational Scholarship program is a critical component of Lockheed Martin’s investment in workforce development and education. In 2022, Lockheed Martin’s Vocational Scholarship Program will award up to $5,000 to as many as 150 recipients. Applicants to the Lockheed Martin Vocational Scholarship Program must:- Be a U.S. Citizen.
- Be a high school senior OR high school graduate (or GED equivalent).
- Have not earned a bachelor’s degree prior to the 2022-23 academic year.
- Be currently enrolled or planning to enroll part- or full-time at one of the following types of accredited institutions: vocational technical school, trade school, two-year.
- Be pursuing an associate’s degree, credit-bearing certificate or an industry-recognized credential, in one of the fields of study below, with an anticipated completion date no earlier than December 2022 and no later than June 2025:
- Computer & Information Sciences
- Engineering
- Engineering Technologies
- Mechanic & Repair Technologies
- Advanced Manufacturing
- A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display student name, school name, grades and credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
Educational Equity Scholarship Program
Through its Educational Equity Scholarship Program, Dominion Energy is awarding $500,000 in scholarships to 60 students in 2022. In its second year of the six-year $10 million initiative, the program assists with undergraduate higher education expenses for underrepresented minority students who reside in the company's service area. "We recognize the importance of education as an equalizer in society," said Robert M. Blue, Dominion Energy's president and chief executive officer. "This program helps reduce the financial hurdle many underrepresented students face, which allows scholarship recipients greater access to post-secondary education and additional opportunities to propel their futures." The scholarship application period is open November 30, 2021, through January 25, 2022, 4pm Eastern Standard Time. To be eligible, students must: • Self-identify as Black or African American; Hispanic or Latino; American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander with higher education expenses; • Be high school seniors or graduates, or current college undergraduates residing in Connecticut, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Wyoming or Utah, with plans to enroll full time at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year; and • have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent). In all, 60 scholarships totaling $500,000 will be awarded in 2022. Of those, 20 scholarships of $5,000 each will be made available for students enrolled in two-year schools, while 40 scholarships of $10,000 each will be awarded to students enrolled in four-year schools. Scholarship recipients will be able to renew scholarships as they progress in school, provided they meet certain criteria, such as GPA requirements and residence in an eligible state. The program is administered by Scholarship America, a nonprofit specializing in managing scholarship and tuition assistance programs. Scholarship America will support Dominion Energy in the selection of finalists. Students can learn more and apply at DominionEnergy.com/EquityScholarshipsTrue Eye Scholarship
At True Eye Experts, we are constantly looking for ways to give back. That’s why we created our first-ever college scholarship to support the future generation of leaders and visionaries.- Students are encouraged to apply, regardless of major, academic standing (GPA) or socioeconomic status.
- Open to any college or university in the United States.
- There is no gender or demographic requirement for this scholarship.
- Eligible applicants must be U.S. residents currently registered at a U.S.-based college or university for the Fall of 2022.
PIA Memorial Scholarship
The PIA Memorial Scholarships are funded by private donors and annual funding raising events. There are ten (10) Memorial Fund Scholarship awards available for the 2022 calendar year in the amount of $2,000.00 each.
Please review the application here. Submitting your application: Applications must be received by November 21, 2022.
Return applications to: Executive Director for Academic and Students Affairs at jmongan@pia.edu OR Campus Director or Dean of Student Affairs.
Eligibility: Full-time students enrolled in their second term of study or later in an Associate in Specialized Technology degree program or Aviation Maintenance program at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics or one of its branch campuses.
Evaluation of Applications: Only applications received by the deadline will be considered. Eligible applications are evaluated by the Scholarship Selection Committee on the basis of academic and attendance record, completeness and presentation of the application, level of involvement in school/work/extracurricular activities, and overall quality of the short essays. An appropriate number of scholarship finalists will be chosen by the Scholarship Selection Committee, based on the results of the Application Evaluation process, and the number of awards available. Finalist Interviews:
Finalists will receive notification of their status, and will be required to appear for an interview with members of the Scholarship Selection Committee. Branch campus interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams. Finalists may be evaluated on the basis of financial need, educational need, and overall quality of responses provided during the Interview. Scholarship recipients will receive notification of their award, including the amount to be distributed.
Distribution of Scholarship Awards: Scholarship recipients should contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss distribution of their awards.
Blue Collar Brain – Trade School Scholarship Program
Blue Collar Brain is offering a $2,500 scholarship to one student that is pursuing any skilled trade. ELIGIBILITY The following are the requirements to be eligible to apply for the Blue Collar Brain scholarship program. Must be a United States citizen or have a student visa Must be a high school graduate recipient of a GED Must be enrolled or plan to enroll full-time in a vocational/technical school or 2-year college for the fall 2022 semester Plan to acquire certification or degree in a skilled trade program* Proof of enrollment in an accredited school is required GPA of 3.0 or higher from the last school attended * Skilled trade programs include (but are not limited to) automotive, aviation, carpentry, construction, electrical, heavy equipment, HVAC, machinery, manufacturing, plumbing and welding. Blue Collar Brain reserves the right to exclude an application that is not defined as a trade-specific educational program. HOW TO APPLY Please visit Blue Collar Brain's site for full application details and information.Molitoris Leadership Scholarship 2021
Part of the WTS goal of fostering the development of women in the transportation field can be realized by encouraging bright new professionals to undertake careers in the area of transportation. The WTS Molitoris Leadership Scholarship is awarded to women pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field who demonstrate leadership skills, ability, and interest. The purpose of the WTS Molitoris Leadership Scholarship is to motivate and reward women who demonstrate leadership in the transportation industry. The leadership, skills, and perspectives of women are essential to assure that the transportation systems of the future respond to the needs of all. Leadership does not just happen. Leaders personally invest and risk much. They must take on struggles that many would avoid and persevere to reach successful outcomes. These qualities should receive special attention in the selection of the award winner. The Pittsburgh Chapter of WTS is accepting applications for the Molitoris Leadership Scholarship from Pennsylvania students (either attending school or permanently residing in Western Pennsylvania, or both). The Pittsburgh Chapter recipient will receive a $2,500 scholarship and her application will be forwarded for consideration for the national-level scholarship of $5,000. In order to qualify for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria: -GPA of 3.0 or higher. -Currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in a transportation-related field, such as transportation engineering, planning, finance, or logistics. -Plans to pursue a career in a transportation-related field. - Applicants for the Molitoris Leadership Scholarship must specifically address the issue of leadership on their personal statement. Please review the application in full for details and submission requirements.Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship 2021
WTS fosters the development of women in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals to undertake careers in the area of transportation. One way it does this is by awarding the WTS Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship to women pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field. The scholarship honors Sharon D. Banks, chief executive officer of AC Transit in Alameda-Contra Costa County, California. As its CEO throughout most of the 1990’s, Banks led the agency in a pioneering effort to introduce cultural and organizational changes aimed at motivating the public transit workforce. She was a member of the WTS Advisory Board and received the WTS San Francisco Chapter Woman of the Year and Employer of the Year awards. The Pittsburgh Chapter of WTS is accepting applications for the Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship from Pennsylvania students (either attending school or permanently residing in Western Pennsylvania, or both). The Pittsburgh Chapter recipient will receive a $2,500 scholarship and her application will be forwarded for consideration for the national-level scholarship of $5,000. In order to qualify for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria: -GPA of 3.0 or higher. -Currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in a transportation-related field, such as transportation engineering, planning, finance, or logistics. -Plans to pursue a career in a transportation-related field. Please review the application in full for all requirements and submission details.The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) requires education institutions to develop and comply with a code of conduct that prohibits conflicts of interest for financial aid personnel. Any PIA officer, employee, or agent who has responsibilities with respect to student educational loans must comply with this code of conduct. The following provisions bring Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) into compliance with the federal law.
1. Neither PIA as an institution nor any individual officer, employee or agent shall enter into any revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender. A revenue-sharing arrangement means an arrangement between PIA and a lender under which the lender provides or issues loans to students attending PIA or to the families such students; and PIA recommends the lender or the loan products of the lender and in exchange, the lender pays a fee or provides other material benefits, including revenue or profit sharing, to PIA or its agent.
2. No officer or employee of PIA who is employed in the financial aid office or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to educational loans, or agent who has responsibilities with respect to educational loans, or any of their family members, shall solicit or accept any gift from a lender, guarantor, or service of education loans. For purpose of this prohibition, the term “gift” means any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan or other item having a monetary value of more than a de minimus amount.
3. An officer or employee of PIA who is employed in the financial aid office or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans, or an agent who has responsibilities with respect to education loans, shall not accept from any lender or affiliate of any lender any fee, payment, or other financial benefit (including the opportunity to purchase stock) as compensation for any type of consulting arrangement or other contract to provide services to a lender or on behalf of a lender relating to education loans.
4. PIA shall not: a) for any first-time borrower, assign, through award packaging or other methods, the borrower’s loan to a particular lender; or b) refuse to certify, or delay certifications of, any loan based on the borrower’s selection of a particular lender or guaranty agency.
5. PIA shall not request or accept from any lender any offer or funds or be used for private education loans, including funds for an opportunity pool loan, to students in exchange for the institution providing concessions or promises regarding providing the lender with: a) a specified number of private educational loans (non-Title IV loans) or loans made, insured, or guaranteed under Title IV; b) a specified loan volume of such loans; or c) a preferred lender arrangement for such loans.
6. PIA shall not request or accept from any lender any assistance with call center staffing or financial aid office staffing.
7. Any employee who is employed in the financial aid office, or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans or other student financial aid, and who serves on an advisory board, commission, or group established by a lender, guarantor, or group of lenders or guarantors, shall be prohibited from receiving anything of value from the lender, guarantor, or group of lenders or guarantors, except that the employee may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in serving on such advisory board, commission, or group.
