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. Find out your home state's application deadline. The application deadline for Pennsylvania State Grant consideration is May 1st (Pennsylvania residents only).
• Ask your parents to visit the Office of Student Aid's Parent Newsletter on our Web site.

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 remaining Federal Stafford Loan eligibility, request your Summer Direct Stafford Loan from the Students menu on eLion.

May

• The application deadline for Pennsylvania State Grant consideration is May 1st (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 our site.
• Parents of dependent students who are interested in a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan can access PLUS information online. The application can be completed after the aid notification has been received.

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.
• Parents of dependent students who are interested in a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan can access PLUS information online. 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.
• Students interested in private alternative loan funding can access information and electronic applications from our Web site.

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. 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

• Study, work hard, and enjoy!

November

• Spring tuition bill arrives.

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.