Member's 6 year enlistment entitles them to use the Pennsylvania's State Educational Assistance Program, which will pay a maximum of $4, 097 per semester for a full-time student.  To receive the benefit, members must apply for the funding BEFORE the semester begins.  The money is paid directly to the school about mid-way through the semester. Applications for this program is completed by the member directly online, using instructions found in the EAP user guide below.   

Full tuition should be covered at any of the 14 State System of Higher Education Schools (Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester).  Full tuition should also be covered at any school who’s tuition falls below the cap of $4,097 per semester—this is the amount that EAP will send to the school if you’re attending full-time.  Let's look at some examples:

Example 1 Member attends York college – Instate tuition is $10,130 a year, the student will pay about $2,000 out of pocket towards tuition because the school is on the approved listing but they are not a State System of Higher Education School, so the student will be responsible for any balance remaining after EAP pays the maximum of $8,194.

Example 2 Member attends Penn State – Instate tuition is $18,450 a year, the student will pay about $10,256 out of pocket towards tuition because the school is on the approved listing but they are not a State System of Higher Education School, so the student will be responsible for any balance remaining after EAP pays the maximum of $8,194.

Example 3 Member attends Shippensburg University – Instate tuition is $12,744 a year, the student should pay $0 out of pocket towards tuition because the state is on the approved listing and is a State System of higher Education School.  

Example 4 Member attends Harrisburg Area Community College – Instate tuition is $8085 a year, the student will pay $0 out of pocket towards tuition.  Although the school is not a State System of Higher Education School, they are on the approved listing and the tuition rate is less than the maximum that EAP will pay. 

Example 5 Member attends Dauphin County Technical School – Tuition for Veterinary Assistant Program is $3,800, the student will pay $3,800 out of pocket toward tuition because the school is not on the approved listing, EAP will not cover any portion of the tuition rate. 

Schools currently covered by EAP are listed in the attachment below! 

Please Note!!  Using the Educational Assistance program requires a 6 year commitment to the State of Pennsylvania.  Getting out of the PA guard prior to your ETS will result in recoupment of any EAP funds paid plus 5% interest that begins accruing on the day you separate from Pennsylvania.  Please contact the retention office if you are considering moving to another branch of service or another state, so you can make the best possible decision!