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Apply for Financial Aid

Follow these steps to apply for financial aid at CU.

  1. File the FAFSA

    The first step is to file your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It's free to file and you'll need to file each year while you're enrolled. This will help determine your eligibility for aid grants, loans, student employment and some types of scholarships.

    FAFSA Simplification for 2024-2025 Academic Year

    Due to the passing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Simplification Act on December 27, 2020, as a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the FAFSA is changing for the 2024-2025 aid year.

    You can expect the following changes:

    • The 2024-2025 FAFSA will not be available until December 2023.
    • The 2024-2025 FAFSA determines your financial aid eligibility for summer 2024, fall 2024 and spring 2025 terms.
    • The FAFSA application process will be streamlined and easier for students to complete.
    • New terminology will be added to the FAFSA.
    • Pennsylvania residents should complete the FAFSA by May 1 for potential state aid eligibility through PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency). You can apply for the Pennsylvania State grant immediately after completing the FAFSA through a link on the confirmation page or by visiting the PHEAA website and creating an account. Not a PA resident? Contact your state's higher education assistance agency to explore potential options.

    To file your FAFSA, you'll need the following:

    • Please use your first-choice campus Federal Title IV Code on the FAFSA:
      Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg: 003315
      Commonwealth University - Lock Haven: 003323
      Commonwealth University - Mansfield: 003324
    • Student and parent StudentAid.gov accounts (FSA IDs).
    • Student and parent Social Security numbers.
    • Student and parent prior, prior year federal income tax returns (include Schedule 1, 2 & 3 if applicable) Note: The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is an option within the FAFSA to automatically retrieve and transfer income and tax data from the IRS into the FAFSA. This is the preferred method, if possible.
    • Student and parent prior, prior year W-2 forms and other records of money earned.
    • Student and parent prior, prior year untaxed income received including: workers’ compensation, child support, payments to tax deferred pension, savings plans, etc.
    • Current bank statements & records of stocks, bonds, 529 plans and other investments.

    Check Your Eligibility

    To receive financial aid, there are certain eligibility requirements you'll need to meet before applying and to maintain after you're enrolled.

    Learn more

    Get Your StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID)

    The StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) is a unique username and password you'll need to access all Federal Student Aid websites. You'll use it for multiple years so we recommend you store it in a safe location that you will remember. If you're a dependent student, your parent will need to create their own parent StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) for use on these sites as well.

     

    Create your StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID)

  2. Receive and Review Your Financial Aid Notification

    • Once your FAFSA is processed, your financial aid will be determined.
      You'll receive a Financial Aid award notice electronically - so be sure to check your university email often!
    • Review your financial aid package to determine how much you still owe and any additional forms our office may still need from you.
    • Make sure you provide our office with all requested items, or you'll delay your financial aid.  Check your university email as well as any outstanding requirements on your MyBanner student portal To-Do List.
    • Submit a FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) form to release your information to those you choose other than yourself such as a parent/supporter helping you pay for college.

    Financial Aid Office Tips

  3. Accept/Decline Federal Direct Student Loan Offer

    If you are offered the Federal Direct Student Loan, you will need to complete the following in order to finalize the loan process: 

    • Accept/decline Federal Direct Student Loans on your university account.
    • Visit studentaid.gov and log in using your StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) username/password and complete the following items:
      1.  Entrance Counseling
      2.  Master Promissory Note (MPN)
  4. Complete Your Final Steps

    Additional Financing Options (if needed):

    EREG Requirement

    Complete the registration to-do list item (EREG) for each semester once assigned.  Failure to complete will prevent aid from being disbursed.  Reminder this must be done each semester.

    Questions? We Have Answers!

    Not sure what you need or have questions?

    Help is just an email or phone call away!

    • Bloomsburg 570-389-4297
    • Lock Haven 570-484-2424
    • Mansfield 570-662-4129
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Additional Resources