Any student interested in being considered for loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study may apply for financial aid.

Pennsylvania residents should also complete the PHEAA state grant application at http://www.pheaa.org/.

How do you apply?

Begin by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for federal and state aid consideration.

You must complete a FAFSA for each academic year that you are enrolled at Penn State. If you are unsure whether you want or need financial aid, complete the FAFSA just in case.

Please note: The 2025-26 FAFSA currently lists each Penn State campus as a separate selection. All students attending Penn State for the 2025-26 academic year should enter the school code "003329" when filing the 2025-26 FAFSA, regardless of campus choice.

Graphic with code "003329" Penn State and instructions on how to use the code to apply for federal student aid with menu choices.

More information specifically for Transfer Students is available.

When should you apply?

First-year and transfer students (applying for fall semester) should submit the FAFSA by March 1 for maximum consideration of student aid programs. Submitting the FAFSA by the recommended date ensures that Pennsylvania residents meet the PHEAA state grant deadline of May 1.

Current students should submit a FAFSA renewal by April 15.

Mid-year transfer students (applying for spring or summer semester) should add Penn State to their FAFSA at the time they submit their application for admission.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Students whose academic programs utilize grade-point average (GPA) must have a minimum cumulative GPA as defined below at each evaluation to be making financial aid SAP.

Undergraduate Student: 2.0 Cumulative GPA
Graduate Student: 3.0 Cumulative GPA
Law School Student: 2.0 Cumulative GPA
Post-baccalaureate Certificate Student: 3.0 Cumulative GPA
Teacher Certificate Program Student: 3.0 Cumulative GPA

Unless otherwise specified by academic program requirements, students must maintain a pace of completion of 67%, using standard rounding rules.
Pace of Completion = (Cumulative hours successfully completed รท Cumulative hours attempted) x 100

For more information on aid eligibility and next steps, visit https://www.psu.edu/costs-aid/apply-for-aid/prospective-students.