°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê

The first step is to file your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It's free to file and you'll need to file each year while you're enrolled. This will help determine your eligibility for grants, loans, work-study jobs, and some types of scholarships.

FAFSA Simplification for 2024-2025 Academic Year

Due to the passing of the Free Applicaiton for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Simplification Act on December 27, 2020, as a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the FAFSA is changing for the 2024-2025 aid year.

You can expect the following changes:

• The 2024-2025 FAFSA will not be available untilÌýDecember 2023.
• The 2024-2025 FAFSA determines your financial aid eligibility for summer 2024, fall 2024 and spring 2025 terms.
• The FAFSA application process will be streamlined and easier for students to complete.
• New terminology will be added to the FAFSA.

We will continue to update this page as additional information becomes available.ÌýÌý

FAFSA for 2023-2024 Academic Year

The 2023-2024ÌýFAFSAÌý(Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens October 1, 2022, and we recommend completingÌýit as soon as possible.ÌýIf you are a PA State resident, the deadline for the PennsylvaniaÌýState Grant is May 1, 2023.

• Please use your first-choice campus Federal Title IV Code on the FAFSA:
  Commonwealth University - °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê: 003315
  Commonwealth University - Lock Haven: 003323
  Commonwealth University - Mansfield: 003324
• Pennsylvania residents shouldÌýcomplete the FAFSA by May 1Ìýfor potential state aid eligibility through PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency). You can apply for the Pennsylvania StateÌýgrantÌýimmediately after completing the FAFSA through a link on the confirmation page or by visiting the and creating an account. Not a PA resident? Contact your state's higher education assistance agency to explore potential options.

To file your FAFSA, you'll need the following:

• Student and parentÌýFSA IDs
• Student and parentÌýSocial Security numbers
• Student and parentÌýprior, prior year federal income tax returnsÌý(include Schedule 1, 2 & 3 if applicable)ÌýNote: The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is an option within the FAFSA to automatically retrieve and transfer income and tax data from the IRS into the FAFSA. This is the preferred method, if possible.
• Student and parentÌýprior, prior year W-2 forms and other records of money earned
• Student and parentÌýprior, prior year untaxed income received including: workers’ compensation, child support, payments to tax deferred pension, savings plans, etc.
• Current bank statements & records of stocks, bonds, 529 plans and other investments

Each year, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê awards $9 million in scholarshipÌýfundsÌý- with $2.6 million awarded to incoming students - like you!

First-year and transfer students: most scholarships are awarded by the Admissions office. Students who apply prior to Jan.Ìý15 are given priority consideration. Students who are awarded a scholarship will receive an award notification, and the scholarship will be posted to the student's financial aid record.Ìý

Current students: Applications are available after Jan.Ìý1 and the deadline to apply is March 1.

Once your FAFSA is processed, your financial aid will be determined.
You'll receive a Financial Aid award notice electronically - so be sure to check your university email often!

Review your financial aid package to determine how much you still owe and any additional forms our office may still need from you.

Make sure you provide our office with all requested items or you'll delay your financial aid.

• Sign and submit a FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) form to release your information to those you choose other than yourself such as a parent/supporter helping you pay for college.
• Accept/decline Federal Direct Loans on your universityÌýaccount.
• Complete the registration to-do list item for each semester once assigned

If you're taking , you'll need toÌýcomplete the following in order to finalize the financial aid process:Ìý

• Visit and log in using your FSA ID (Username/Password).
• Complete Entrance Counseling
• Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN)

Additional Financing Options (if needed):

• Payment plan offered through the Student Billing Office.
• -Ìýfor dependent Undergraduate students only.
• - for Graduate/Doctoral students only.
• - search online for these loans in order to compare lender options