The Office of Student Aid administers federal, state, and University student financial aid and coordinates multiple funding sources on behalf of sponsoring agencies. The primary sources of student aid funding at Penn State come from federal and state programs.

Applying for Aid

You and your student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) each academic year for your student to be considered for financial aid, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. The FAFSA is the only application required to be considered for most need-based aid at Penn State.

Please note: Penn State’s school code for the FAFSA is 003329.

Students need to submit the 2025–2026 FAFSA to be considered for aid for fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026. Students who are admitted for summer 2025 also need to submit the 2024–2025 FAFSA by June 30, 2025, if they wish to be considered for aid for summer 2025.

Student Aid Notification

Students who submit the FAFSA will receive an email notification from the Office of Student Aid with information about the types of aid they are eligible to receive. Learn more about the types of student financial aid available to fund your student’s education.

Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans

To receive Federal Direct Loans, your student must:

  1. Complete and submit the FAFSA
  2. Accept the loan in LionPATH
  3. Sign a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN)
  4. Complete Entrance Counseling

After all of the steps above have been completed, the Federal Direct Loan will appear as a credit on the student’s bill.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

The financial aid listed on the Financial Aid Offer in LionPATH may not cover all educational costs. As a parent, you may apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan. This is a federal loan available only to parents/stepparents of dependent undergraduate students.

Private Education Loans

If the PLUS loan is not an option for you, your student can seek additional funding from private education loans, which typically require a cosigner.

Scholarships

All admitted students who submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to Penn State are considered for scholarships awarded by the Office of Student Aid. If your student was awarded a scholarship from the Office of Student Aid, it will be listed on the Financial Aid Offer in LionPATH. Some academic colleges, campuses, and administrative units require separate applications.

Work Study

All students who apply to Penn State and indicate interest in the Federal Work-Study Program on their application are considered for work-study employment. If your student was offered work-study, it will be listed on the Financial Aid Offer in LionPATH. If your student did not receive a work-study award, there may be other employment opportunities available on campus.

Rights and Responsibilities of a Financial Aid Recipient

As a financial aid recipient, your student must be well informed about their rights and responsibilities. Be sure your student carefully reviews this important information and understands what is required of students to remain eligible for student aid. Especially note the following important informationf:

FAFSA Verification

The Office of Student Aid is required by the federal government to confirm the accuracy of the information submitted on the FAFSA, a process known as verification. If students are selected for verification by Penn State, they will be notified by the Office of Student Aid. This notification will include the specific information needed and the due date. Please respond promptly to any requests from the Office of Student Aid for verification documents to avoid a delay in the processing of student aid. Not all students are selected for verification. Please do not submit any documents unless you or your student receives a request.

Check Penn State E-mail Frequently

Students should check their Penn State email frequently; the Office of Student Aid communicates with students through their Penn State email account. Students will also be able to access their student aid information in LionPATH. Be sure to ask your student to share any pertinent student aid information with you or grant you Delegated Access to their Financial Aid Offer in LionPATH.