Financial Aid

Financing Your Penn State Education

A Penn State education is an investment in your future. We understand that this investment will stretch the financial capabilities of many families and do our best to assist you in meeting the necessary expenses.

Below is an overview of the types of financial assistance available. For further details on each of these programs, please visit the Office of Student Aid. A good resource for getting started is the Financing Strategies for Your Education page.

Applying for Student Aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA on the Web) serves as the single application for financial aid at Penn State. Applicants will be considered for federal, state, and University student financial aid programs including:

• Grants
  Grants, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid
• Penn State Scholarships
  Internal University Scholarships
• Federal Perkins Loans
  Low, fixed-interest loan for students (undergraduate/graduate) with high financial need
• University Loans
  Low, fixed-interest loan for students (undergraduate) with high financial need
• Federal Direct Stafford Loans
  Subsidized and unsubsidized Option
• Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
  Direct Lending Program from the U.S. Department of Education (Parent & Graduate Student Options)
• Alternative Loans
  Private, non-federal education loans

Outside Scholarships

Outside scholarships are offered by a broad variety of organizations, agencies, and donors to students who demonstrate scholastic merit or meet specific criteria.

Visit www.studentloans.psu.edu/schol.cfm for information regarding how to notify our office of an award that you have received from an outside organization.

Visit http://www.psu.edu/studentaid/scholarships/private.shtml for general information and tips on how to find and apply for Outside Scholarships.

Federal Work-Study Programs

Work-Study allows you to earn money to cover a portion of your educational expenses by working on campus or for an off-campus, nonprofit organization.

Visit http://www.psu.edu/studentaid/aidprog/workstudy.shtml for further information.

Adult Learners

Additional financial aid options exist for returning adult learners. Visit http://www.psu.edu/studentaid/aidprog/adults.shtml for further information.