Student Aid

More than 68 percent of Penn State students receive some type of financial aid.

Types of Aid

Penn State’s Office of Student Aid is the main resource for questions related to paying for your education. They oversee the distribution of loans, grants, work study and scholarships, with loans being the most common financing method.


Undergraduate Student Aid Funding at Penn State

Penn State Undergraduate Student Aid Funding based on 2019-2020 data:
Type of aid Percentage of the aid awarded
Loans 60%
Grants 19%
University scholarships 13%
Private scholarships 6%
Work-Study <1.0%

Applying for Aid

To be considered for any student aid, including merit-based scholarships, students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Here are the important dates to keep in mind for first-year students:

October 1

FAFSA becomes available at studentaid.gov.

December 1

Penn State's recommended FAFSA filing date for students new to Penn State.

Early February

Aid notification for admitted students who submit the FAFSA by
December 1.

More details about applying for aid are available from the Office of Student Aid. Start by selecting your enrollment period.