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

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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

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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/

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Accept, decrease, or decline your loans in LionPATH

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

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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"

https://studentaid.gov/

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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

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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