Action Steps to Financial Aid
Download the pdf version here.
Apply for financial aid
Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Respond to requests for information
Verification is a federal process that requires colleges and universities to verify the information provided by students and parents on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are selected, you will receive a notification from our office.
https://studentaid.psu.edu/aid-the-bill/verification
Review your Aid Award
Students will receive a financial aid notification sent to the email submitted on the FAFSA when the Penn State awarding process begins.
https://lionpathsupport.psu.edu/
Grant Delegate Access to your Parent/Guardian
Parent access to student information in LionPATH is called Delegated Access. Delegated access gives parents, guardians, or other individuals access to view:
- class schedule
- enrollment verification
- financial aid
- Holds
- To Do List
Students are responsible for setting up delegated access in LionPATH and for determining which areas the individual can access.
For help in setting up delegated access for students, visit the "Setting Up Delegated Access" online tutorial.
For help on how to use delegated access, visit the "Using Delegated Access" online tutorial.
Accept, decrease, or decline your loans in LionPATH (Available for Fall/Spring after May 1)
You need to accept your subsidized, unsubsidized, and graduate PLUS loans if you intend to use them as an aid source. You can also choose to decrease these loans if you do not need the entire loan amount, or you can decline them if you do not need to use them. If you change your mind later in the year, contact us to increase the amount or reinstate them.
https://studentaid.psu.edu/aid-notification/how-to-accept-decline-decrease-federal-direct-loans
Complete Loans Entrance Counseling and your Master Promissory Note
In most cases, you will only need to complete these items once during your college career. You can complete these requirements at any time once you have been accepted to Penn State. If not completed, a checklist item will appear on your "To Do List"
Find additional financial options
Financial aid typically covers only a portion of your educational costs, which include tuition and fees, living allowance (housing and meals), and books and supplies. Find out what else in available.
https://studentaid.psu.edu/understand-financial-debt/strategies
Search for scholarships
Each year, Penn State enrolls many outstanding and academically talented students. Therefore we cannot assist all deserving students with scholarships. Scholarship funds are very competitive and limited, and Penn State cannot guarantee an award to every student who may rank at or near the top of their class
Academic College Scholarships
Administrative Unit Scholarships
Campus Scholarships
Scholarships Administered by the Office of Student
Outside scholarships
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