Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Learn more about NEED and to whom we serve. We are reaching out to our middle school and underserved high school students from the Greater Pittsburgh area to ensure college graduation and successful careers.
What is NEED?

NEED provides an array of support services for students to ensure greatly increased retention, graduation from secondary education and entry in and completion of postsecondary education.

Who is eligible for NEED scholarships and grants?
The following summarizes our eligibility requirements:

Be a high school student planning to enroll, or a student already enrolled, full-time in a college or university.
Be a resident of a county in the Pittsburgh area.
Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
Be a United States citizen.
Be a resident of one of the following counties in the Greater Pittsburgh area for one year prior to entering a school or college: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Washington or Westmoreland.
Demonstrate unmet financial need of at least $1,000 after the financial aid award package has been determined.
Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than $5,000 [Based upon the EFC calculation from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)].
Be a high school senior or graduate planning to enroll, or a student already enrolled in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited postsecondary institution.**
Approved accredited institutions are defined as Title IV eligible, accredited, postsecondary
Two - or four-year colleges or universities, vocational, or technical schools in the United States.
Awards

If selected as a recipient, the student will receive an award ranging from $1,000 to $3,500. Students must respond to all NEED requests for verification and transcripts in order to be eligible for a new grant. Grant amounts are evaluated for each student and may vary for each year depending on individual need and available funds.

Application
First time applicants must complete & submit the following;

· NEED Application and mail it along with the following required documents:

· Current, complete transcript of grades – Any one of the following:

Official transcript of grades
Unofficial transcript that includes the student and school’s name
Student-generated online transcript that includes student and school’s name (Grade Reports are NOT acceptable)
GED Test score results
· A 200 word typed essay on “Why you want to pursue your post-secondary education?”

· Individual Wallet Size Photo (Your photo becomes the property of NEED and will not be returned). Only submit a photo if this is your first time applying to NEED.

Previously awarded applicants must complete & submit the following;

· NEED Application and mail it along with the following required documents:

· Current, complete transcript of grades – Any one of the following:

Official transcript of grades
Unofficial transcript that includes the student and school’s name
Student-generated online transcript that includes student and school’s name (Grade Reports are NOT acceptable)
GED Test score results
The application and all required supporting documents Must be mailed to NEED In One Envelope postmarked by May 31 of each year. 

Applicants are responsible for gathering and submitting all required materials in one envelope. Materials sent separately will not be considered. All information received is considered confidential and is reviewed only by NEED.

Selection of Recipients
Grant recipients are selected on the basis of all eligibility criteria and demonstrated unmet financial need. Selection of recipients is made by NEED.

Only eligible applicants will be notified by the end of July. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. Students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements by completing the Unmet Need application from NEED.

NEED will notify grant recipients at the home address provided. Recipients who do not respond back with the required student acceptance form after two notification letters from NEED will forfeit their award to an alternate recipient.

Payment of Grants
Payment is made in two installments (September and January). The check is mailed to each recipient's school and is made payable to the school for the student.

Obligations
Recipients are required to supply NEED with transcripts at the end of each academic year that they receive NEED grants, and to notify NEED of any changes of address, school enrollment, or other relevant information. Failure to notify NEED of any of these changes may result in the forfeit or delay of an award.

Revisions
NEED reserves the right to review the conditions and procedures of this grant program and to make changes at any time including termination of the program.

Additional Information
Questions regarding the Unmet NEED Grant Program should be addressed to:

NEED

Student Services Department

The Law and Finance Building

429 Fourth Avenue, 20th Floor

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Telephone: 412-566-2760

Fax: 412-471-6643

Email: rbrooks@needld.org

Webpage: www.needld.org

There are two ways you may apply to NEED:

How do I apply?
You can either create a free username & password and apply online, or download a pdf copy of our application. Once you have completed it, you can return it to our office via fax, mail, or in person during regular office hours.
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