Persistence Support Resources

The Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program allows eligible students who have been served by the foster care system to receive a university education, build a network of support, and graduate with minimal debt. In collaboration with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and the Pennsylvania departments of Education (PDE), Human Services (DHS), and Labor & Industry (L&I), this program provides tuition waivers at postsecondary institutions, such as CedarCrest College, to program participants for up to five academic years or until they reach age 26.

To be eligible for the tuition waiver, students must:

Be a Pennsylvania resident
Be under the age of 26
Have received a high school diploma or equivalent approved credential
Be eligible for services under Pennsylvania's John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for
Successful Transition to Adulthood
Be identified as a youth in foster care or a youth discharged or adopted from foster care at age 16 or older
Exited foster care on or after age 16 to adoption or permanent legal custodianship
Be enrolled as an undergraduate, at least half time in a postsecondary institution that is approved by the U.S. Department of Education for Title IV student assistance programs
Demonstrate financial need for the PA Chafee Education and Training Grant (as determined by the postsecondary institution)
Maintain satisfactory academic progress (as determined by the postsecondary institution)
Not be in default on a federal student loan
File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program exists to remove any barriers to a postsecondary education for those who are or have been in foster care. If you or anyone you know could benefit from this program, point of contact Lynnsae Powers, Director of Persistence Support Resources at lynnsae.powers@cedarcrest.edu or 610-606-4666 ext. 4461 or financial aid administrator Jennifer Carpenter, Associate Director of Student Financial Services at jacarpen@cedarcrest.edu or 610-606-4666 ext. 3383 for more information.

Emergency Aid

At Cedar Crest College, we offer emergency aid resources as a way to provide support for students in need. By providing resources to students in need, these students are more likely to succeed academically and persist to graduation. While the college cannot provide long-term support, we can help eliminate barriers to their immediate success. Items included in emergency resources: resource pantry, emergency loans, emergency housing needs, help navigating other financial options.

In order to request emergency aid, please contact:

Lynnsae Powers
Director of Persistence Support Resources
Room 319, Student Success Center on the main floor of Cressman Library
lynnsae.Powers@cedarcrest.edu
610-606-4666 ext. 4461

Act 101 Program

Act 101 program is a Pennsylvania state-funded program that allocates funds to colleges to provide services to academically and financially disadvantaged students to assist them in successfully completing postsecondary study. Cedar Crest College has a dedicated staff person to work directly with students that qualify for assistance through this program.

Contact:

Lynnsae Powers
Director of Persistence Support Resources
lynnsae.Powers@cedarcrest.edu
610-606-4666 ext. 4461

Lanta Partnership

Public transportation is environmentally friendly, economical, and socially conscious. And now, riding LANTA busses is even easier with the FREE Cedar Crest College LANTA pass! Effective Spring semester, Cedar Crest will provide rides on LANTA busses for all students and employees.

Getting ready to ride is easy with your mobile device. Just set up the app, redeem your code, and tap to board the bus. No payment is required.

Step-by-step instructions are available in My.CedarCrest/Student Affairs/LANTA Information.