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

December/January

• Be sure you and your parents, if applicable, know your Federal Student Aid PIN(s) (Personal Identification Numbers). Request new PIN(s), if needed.
• Complete the pre-filled Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Web as soon after January 1 as possible for maximum consideration of all available student aid programs. The FAFSA on the Web Worksheet may be helpful as you prepare your FAFSA. We recommend that you submit your FAFSA on the Web by April 15.
• You and your parents, if applicable, should complete your federal taxes before completing your FAFSA on the Web; if you cannot, you may estimate your income on the FAFSA.
• Check with your state grant agency to determine if there are any other applications you must complete. You can also find information about state grants for out-of-state students on the Office of Student Aid Web site. The application deadline for the Pennsylvania State Grant consideration is May 1 (Pennsylvania residents only).

February

• 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.
• Review financing strategies.
• Review summer aid information. Beginning February 15, you can apply for Summer Work-Study from the "Students" menu on eLion.

March

• It's not too late to apply for Summer Work-Study on eLion.

April

• We recommend you submit the FAFSA by April 15 for maximum aid consideration.
• If you will be attending Penn State this summer and have not received the maximum amount of Federal Direct Stafford Loan eligibility during the previous fall and spring semesters, you may have remaining Federal Stafford Loan eligibility. You can request your Summer Direct Stafford Loan from the "Students" menu on eLion.
• If you are a Pennsylvania resident and you are interested in summer Pennsylvania State Grant consideration, you can apply through eLion between April 1 and August 1 by selecting the Summer Pennsylvania State Grant option from the "Students" menu.

May

• The application deadline for Pennsylvania State Grant consideration is May 1 (Pennsylvania residents only).
• State grant agencies begin mailing aid notifications to qualifying students.
• Complete your Federal Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN), i.e., your student loan application, online after you have received your aid notification and made your decision to attend Penn State. Instructions on how to complete the MPN are available on the Office of Student Aid Web site.

June

• You will receive a notice to your Penn State e-mail account advising you when your Student Financial Aid Notification is ready to be viewed in the Student Aid Summary from the "Students" menu on eLion.
• If you are a dependent student and your parents are interested in a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan, your parents can access information on how to apply for a PLUS loan on the Office of Student Aid Web site. Your parents can complete the application after you have reviewed your Student Aid Summary from the "Students" menu on eLion.
• Begin saving money for the fall semester. You should come to school with money for startup expenses, such as your books and supplies.
• If you need additional funds to satisfy your tuition bill and other costs associated with your education, you can access private alternative loan information and applications online.

July

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

August

• Fall tuition bill is due. Your registration is not complete until you access Bills/Tuition Other from the "Students" menu on eLion and follow the instructions to pay your tuition and fees, and/or confirm your registration. Print the registration confirmation page for your records. This is proof that your registration is complete. 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

• Study, work hard, and enjoy!

November

• Spring tuition bill arrives.

December

• Spring tuition bill is due. Your registration is not complete until you access Bills/Tuition Other from the "Students" menu on eLion and follow the instructions to pay your tuition and fees, and/or confirm your registration. Print the registration confirmation page for your records. This is proof that your registration is complete. 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.