Penn State students receive four types of student aid: grants, scholarships, loans, and federal work-study.
Grants
Grants are awarded based solely on financial need, have no requirement of repayment, and can come from the federal government, the state, or Penn State. Read more
Penn State's Office of Human Resources offers a child care subsidy program for qualifying low-income undergraduate student parents enrolled in a degree program.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement. For many University scholarships, financial need is an additional criterion of eligibility. There is no requirement of repayment.
Loans
Loans are a form of financial aid that must be repaid after a student leaves Penn State or drops below half-time attendance.
- Federal Direct Stafford Loan - To accept a federal student loan, a student must complete both Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note. Both may be completed at www.studentaid.gov.
- Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
- Alternative educational loans, see Penn State's student aid website.
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study awards are based on financial need and allow students to earn money toward their school expenses.