Quick Links
Any student interested in being considered for loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study.
How Should I Apply?
Begin by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for federal and state consideration. Submit the FAFSA to the Department of Education either via the Web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ or by sending the FAFSA in the envelope provided with the paper application. Students in need of a paper FAFSA may obtain one from their high-school guidance office, their public library, or from any Penn State location. However, you are strongly encouraged to submit the FAFSA electronically, because:
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- an electronic application will process faster than the paper application.
- it is less error-prone than the paper application.
- you will only be asked questions that pertain to your situation, making filling out the online form easier than the paper form.
- the website is secure.
- you can receive a confirmation of receipt right away.
Students interested in scholarships should be aware of possible separate scholarship applications. (See the links to the right for more information.)
When Should I Apply?
First-year students should submit the FAFSA by February 15 for maximum consideration of student aid programs. Submitting the FAFSA by the recommended date for first-year students also ensures that Pennsylvania resident students meet the PA Higher Education Assistance Authority (PHEAA) state grant deadline of May 1. Students must complete the FAFSA every year in order to be considered for student aid eligibility.
What Happens After I Apply?
The Department of Education processes the complete application and sends a copy of the information to the following: to the schools the student lists on the FAFSA, to the state grant agency of the student's home residency state, and to the student in the form of a Student Aid Report (SAR).
