Office of Student Aid : Priority Dates : Calendar/Checklist for Graduate Students

Calendar/Checklist for Graduate Students

December/January

If you do not have a Federal Student Aid PIN (Personal Identification Number), make sure you apply for one. Using your PIN to sign your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Web or pre-filled FAFSA can speed up your application by two weeks.
Review the information on graduate student funding available through the Graduate School.
Complete the FAFSA on the Web as soon after January 1 as possible for maximum consideration of all available student aid programs. New Penn State students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA on the Web by February 15 and returning Penn State students should submit the FAFSA on the Web by April 15.
Complete your federal taxes before completing your FAFSA on the Web; if you cannot, you may estimate your income on the FAFSA.

February

New Penn State students--complete the FAFSA on the Web by February 15 for maximum aid consideration.
Access information on Penn State's payment plan.
Begin a student financial aid folder for all of your important papers. Include copies of all applications, tax information, and letters you receive.
Returning Penn State students can apply for Summer Work-Study from the Students menu on eLion beginning February 15.
Review financing strategies.

March

Returning students--it's not too late to apply for summer work-study on eLion.
The Office of Student Aid begins sending new Penn State students the Student Financial Aid Notification. Carefully review the notification and the information on the Office of Student Aid Web site.

April

Returning students--complete the FAFSA on the Web by April 15 for maximum aid consideration.
Returning students--if you will be attending Penn State during the summer and you have remaining Federal Stafford Loan eligibility, you may request your Summer Direct Stafford Loan from the Students menu on eLion.

May

Begin saving money for fall semester startup expenses, such as books, supplies, and off-campus apartment expenses.
Returning students--it's not too late to request consideration for a Summer Direct Stafford Loan from the Students menu on eLion.

June

Returning students--your Student Financial Aid Notification will be available beginning mid-June. Your notification will be available online via the Student Aid Summary from the Students menu on eLion in mid-June.
If you are a first-time Federal Direct Stafford Loan borrower at Penn State, you will need to complete your Federal Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). You can access your Direct Stafford Loan MPN online.

July

Fall tuition bill arrives.
Decrease your Federal Perkins, University, or Federal Direct Stafford Loan(s) for fall semester by accessing Loan Decrease from the Students menu on eLion.

August

Fall tuition bill is due. Respond to the bill--it is the only way Penn State knows that you are planning to attend classes. Incomplete registration could result in the loss of aid.
Remember to bring money for startup expenses such as books, supplies, and off-campus apartment expenses.
If you are a first-time borrower of a Federal Direct Stafford Loan at Penn State, you will need to complete Loan Entrance Counseling from the Students menu on eLion.

September/October

November

December

Spring tuition bill is due. Responding to the bill is the only way for Penn State to know that you are planning to attend. Incomplete registration could result in the loss of aid.
Get ready! It's time to begin the student aid application process for next year. See January for instructions.