Pennsylvania State Senator Scott Martin said that the second year of the Grow PA scholarship program will continue providing financial support to students pursuing in-demand careers, helping them graduate with less debt while encouraging them to stay and work in the state.
“Year 2 for Grow PA is right around the corner,” said Scott F Martin, Pennsylvania State Senator from 13th District (R). “The program will continue to keep more of our young people in Pennsylvania. help them graduate with less debt. and be prepared to step into the jobs our communities need most.”
According to Martin, he shared on X a response to a Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency post about preparations for the 2026–27 Grow PA scholarship application cycle, expected in February. He emphasized the program’s significance in retaining young residents and preparing them for high-demand careers.
The Grow PA Scholarship Grant, which began in 2024, offers Pennsylvania students up to $5,000 annually for up to four years at eligible in-state colleges and universities. Recipients must commit to working in Pennsylvania for 12 months per award year or repay the funds as loans. Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come-first-served basis through April 2026.
Student loan debt in the United States reached $1.814 trillion by 2025, with federal loans accounting for $1.661 trillion held by 42.5 million borrowers. The average federal balance is approximately $39,075, while total debt including private loans averages $42,673. This underscores the financial pressures that programs like Grow PA aim to alleviate.
Martin was born in 1972 or 1973 and attended Lancaster Catholic High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminal justice from Millersville University. He played professional football in the Arena Football League and later served two terms as a Lancaster County Commissioner from 2008 to 2016. As a Republican, he has held the Pennsylvania State Senate seat for the 13th district since 2017 after succeeding Lloyd Smucker.
