Financial Aid

money Financial Aid Information money  

Use ONLY the following website to access the FAFSA form to complete for Federal Financial Aid www.fafsa.gov

FAFSA4caster: A free online tool available to provide students and parents with an estimate of an Expected Family Contribution (see explanation below). This is not an official application and does not require an electronic PIN but can give families awareness and education about the financial aid process. Visit the following website to access the FAFSA4caster: http://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/estimate 

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2021/2022 FINANCIAL AID NIGHT.....

Join us for a virtual Financial Aid Night presentation conducted by PA Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). This presentation provides an early understanding of the financial aid process. Participants will gain an understanding of the types and sources of aid available to help cover the cost of attendance at post-secondary schools. Participants will also learn how to apply for financial aid, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), which is required to determine eligibility for most student aid programs, such as the Pennsylvania State Grant, Federal Pell Grant, institutional awards, and federal student and parent loans.

PHEAA Financial Aid Presentation

Date: October 20, 2021
Time:  7:00 PM
To attend the webinar:  Click here


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Deadlines


Federal Deadline

October 1:  You can begin submitting your FAFSA applications using prior, prior year tax return information
State Deadline

Pennsylvania - All first-time applicants enrolled in a: community college; business/trade/technical school; hospital school of nursing; designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institution; or non-transferable two-year program - August 1 by midnight, Central Time.

All other applicants - May 1 by midnight, Central Time.

College Deadline
Check with the college(s) you are interested in attending. You may also want to ask your college about its definition of an application deadline - whether it is the date the college receives your FAFSA, or the date your FAFSA is processed.


Documents


Have the following documents available when completing the FAFSA

-Social Security Numbers
-Driver's license (student only; this information is optional)
-Federal income tax return (1040, 1040A or 1040 EZ)
-W-2 forms from all employers
-Current bank statements (Checking and Savings)
-Current Business and farm records (if applicable)
-Records of any stocks, bonds, and other investments, including 529 accounts
-Additional untaxed income tax records may be needed such as: Veteran's non-educational benefits, child support paid/received and workers compensation
-Alien registration or permanent resident card (if not US Citizen)


PIN Numbers


Personal Identification Number (PIN) used to sign the FAFSA, make corrections (if necessary), and check the status of the online FAFSA application.

Both the parent and the student must have a PIN number. Students can electronically sign his/her Master Promissory Note for student loans. Parents can use his/her PIN number to electronically sign the Direct PLUS Loan MPN. Parents can use the same PIN for multiple dependent children attending a postsecondary school.

Go to Create FSA Pin to choose a PIN.

PA State Grant Form


To be considered for a PA State Grant, students must complete the FAFSA and the State Grant Form (SGF). There are three ways to complete the SGF:

1. A link on the FAFSA Application Confirmation Page: You must click on the link from the completion page, you can not return to this page once exited.

2. A link in an email from State Grant or using the link on PHEAA.org

3. Paper status notice


Student Aid Report (SAR)


A Student Aid Report will be sent to the applicant via email once the FAFSA is processed. The information found on the SAR is also sent to all schools students have listed on his/her FAFSA and to PHEAA.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC):
A calculated amount a family can be expected to pay towards a student's college expense each year.

Factors determining the EFC: Parental income and assets, student income and assets, family size and number of family members in college, and age of the older parent

This number is the same, regardless of what school the students chooses to attend.


CSS Financial Aid Profile


http://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile

Should be completed in addition to the FAFSA but ONLY if the school attending accepts the CSS Application.

There is a $25 fee for completing this application

Available October 1.

The following school accept the CSS application:
Abrahan L Buckwalter Fund
Albright College
Bryn Mawr College
Bucknell University
Carnegie Mellon University
Dickinson College
Drexwl University
Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Franklin & Marshall College
Gettysburg College
Haverford College
Hughesian Free School Trust
Lafayette College
Lehigh University
Lower Merion Twp Scholarship Fund
Moravian College
Muhlenberg College
Rosemont College
Seneca Valley School District
Susquehanna University
Swarthmore College
University of Pennsylvania
Ursinus College
Villanova University


Helpful Websites


www.mysmartborrowing.org : an interactive financial aid tool that encourages students to make smart decisions about career and college choices

www.financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov

www.educationplanner.org : in-depth resources helping students learn about careers, colleges and financial aid opportunities

www.youcandealwithit.com : offers college students and recent graduates a comprehensive guide to financial decisions and situations they will soon encounter.


*Information provided through PHEAA and PA Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators