Aid Notification Availability

When to Expect Your Aid Notification

The processing of the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been delayed for all schools.  Although we will not meet our original March new student awarding timeline, we will review the results of your FAFSA as soon as it arrives.  When we know more, we will update you.

We also realize that many of you want to make changes to your 2024-25 information and have not been able to access your FAFSA.  We are aware of this and want to assure you that it is OK. Please continue to submit your initial FAFSA at your earliest convenience.

This delay impacts students who are new to Penn State. Continuing students have plenty of time to submit and make changes to their 2024-25 FAFSA. Remember, students who are continuing their studies at Penn State have a recommended filing date of April 15

Students will receive a financial aid notification to the email submitted on the FAFSA when the Penn State awarding process begins.

  • New students (undergraduate, graduate, or transfer) who have been admitted can expect an email on how to access your award summary if Penn State has received your FAFSA by early April*.
  • Current students will receive an email on how to access your award summary by mid June directing you to access your award summary on LionPATH, if Penn State has received your FAFSA.

*Subject to change based on timing of FAFSA release to Penn State

How to Determine if Penn State Received Your FAFSA

Monitor LionPATH to verify that Penn State has received your FAFSA.

You will see a message stating "Penn State received your FAFSA" in your To Do List, if your FAFSA was received by Penn State and you have not yet been awarded financial aid.

To Do List Item Showing the "FAFSA Received" Message

If Your Aid Notification is Unavailable

You will see a message stating "Aid info not available yet" under "View Financial Aid" in LionPATH, if your aid award information is not yet available for you to view.

Select Aid Year to View in LionPATH with "Aid Info not available" message

 

Reasons Why Your Aid Notification May Be Unavailable

1. Financial aid has not yet been awarded.

2. You have a hold listed in your Student Center that prevents processing in your FAFSA.

3. Penn State has not received your FAFSA or your FAFSA has not been attached to your student record. If your "To Do List" in LionPATH does not show that Penn State has received your FAFSA, here are common reasons why:

  • The Penn State Federal School Code of 003329 is not listed on your FAFSA. Make a correction to your FAFSA to resolve.
  • The Department of Education has rejected your FAFSA. Make a correction to your FAFSA to resolve.
  • The social security number, or date of birth provided on the FAFSA does not match the information on or is missing from your Penn State record. If it is incorrect or missing from your Penn State record, then correct using the link in your MyPennState/LionPATH account. If the number is incorrect on your FAFSA, then you must submit a signed copy of your Social Security card to our office so that we can correct your application.
  • Your status does not permit financial aid to be awarded; for example, students on a leave of absence, are not re-enrolled, or are not yet offered admission.

If none of these scenarios apply to you, contact us for assistance.