1. Brought to you by: The Counseling Department
Introduction to
Brought to you by: The Counseling Department

2. Where do I begin?
Types of Financial Aid:
Grants
Scholarships
Loans

3. Grants Scholarships Do NOT require repayment if requirements are met
Offered by federal and state government, or by some individual institutions
The Federal Government offers:
Pell Grants – Amount of aid received depends on financial need, the school’s cost of attendance, and other factors
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) – for students with exceptional financial need
TEACH Grants- for students who plan to become a teacher and teach in high-need fields in low-income areas
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants- Provide money for students whose parent or guardian died during military service
Do NOT require repayment if requirements met
Typically offered by individual institutions and/or private organizations
Awarded based on a number of factors, such as academic performance, athletic ability, religious affiliation, and race
Will often be asked to write an essay

4. Granted by private banks
Federal Loans
Private Loans
Subsidized
Available to students who have demonstrated financial need
US Department of Education pays your interest while you are in school and the 6 months after you graduate
Unsubsidized
Awarded regardless of financial need
Specialized
Parent PLUS Loan- made to parents of dependent students to help pay expenses not covered by other options
Perkins Loans – school-based loans for students with exceptional financial need
Granted by private banks
Can be used to bridge the gap between cost of education and amount of financial aid received
Eligibility may depend on your credit score
Tend to have higher interest rates

6. FAFSA.ed.gov Step One: FAFSA
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Application opens October 1
Students and parents may fill out application at the same time they are filling out college admission applications (you do not have to be accepted in order to send your FAFSA application to that school)
Create a FAFSA ID, which will be your electronic signature
FAFSA.ed.gov

7. PHEAA.org Step Two: PHEAA PHEAA (Pennsylvania State Grant Program)
Once FAFSA application is complete, on the confirmation page, select “Transfer My Information to the PA State Grant Program” or visit website and create account
Must be printed, completed, and mailed to Harrisburg address
PHEAA.org

8. WRAP UP Once applications are complete, the Financial
Aid Office at each school will process your
information, which could take a few weeks.
You will receive a Financial Aid Package or Letter
detailing the types of financial aid and the
amount of financial aid you have been offered

9. For an Overview of Financial Aid
FAFSA Website
Create your FAFSA ID
PHEAA Website
For an Overview of Financial Aid