Financial Aid

Webinars by PHEAA

View a list of virtual webinars on various Financial Aid topics by  clicking the link below.

https://www.pheaa.org/virtual/

There are three categories of federal student aid: 

Grants, Work-study, and Loans  

Grants:

This is free money that does not need to be paid back

Work-Study:

This is a job on campus where a student can work a number of hours per week in order to earn money to help with tuition. There may be a limit on the number of hours per week that a student is allowed to work. Pay may be sent directly to the student or may be automatically credited to the student's tuition bill. 

Loans:

This is money that is borrowed and needs to be repaid. Since loans are considered financial aid and do need to be repaid, students need to carefully review financial aid letters to determine what is being offered and what will need to be repaid. There are a number of different loan options out there, but most fall into two main categories: 

1. Federal Loans: these loans are available to students through the Federal Government and have a fixed interest rate. To qualify for these loans students must fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). There are two main types of Federal student loans:

   • Subsidized: The federal government pays the interest that accrues while a student is in school. 

   • Unsubsidized: Interests accrues and is added to the principal throughout the life of the loan. 

   • There are also Direct Parent Plus Loans. These loans are available to parents through the Federal Government and have a fixed interest rate.

2. Private Loans: These are loans issued through banks or credit unions and can help bridge the gap when savings, grants, scholarships, and federal loans do not meet college costs.

   • Be aware that private education loans are generally more expensive than federal loans. And the rules for paying them back are usually more strict. Generally, it is best to look into other sources of funding (Federal Loans, Grants, Work Study, and Scholarships) before considering private education loans.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) - THE FAFSA IS FREE AND YOU SHOULD NEVER PAY TO FILE!

This is the primary document that MUST be filed for a student to become eligible for federal and state aid.  This form should be filed as early as possible after October 1 (December 2023 for the Class of 2024). of the student's senior year. Parents and students can fill out the FAFSA by clicking on the following link: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

FAFSA  needs to be signed using a FSA ID instead of a PIN, which had been used in prior years. The FSA ID can be created by visiting https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

• It is highly encouraged to file your forms electronically for the fastest, easiest, most accurate processing. 

The correct web address for FAFSA forms is https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

We have an annual Financial Aid Workshop, with a guest speaker, our regional representative from PHEAA. Learn more about the aid categories and how to navigate your way through the FAFSA application, etc.  

The workshop is open to all students and their parents. However, it is especially encouraged for Juniors and Seniors! Log in to hear the presentation and ask questions!

See above for the date and time of this event

Additional Resources:

• http://www.youcandealwithit.com

• http://www.educationplanner.org

• http://www.mysmartborrowing.org/#intro

• https://studentaid.gov/loan-simulator/

  • Calculate different loan repayment options

• Funding Your Education: The Guide to Federal Student Aid 

  • helps students understand the financial aid process. This easy to read publication is a condensed version of previous editions.

• CSS / Financial Aid Profile 

  • additional paperwork required by some colleges/universities - check listing on College Board

  • Cost of $25 to complete