Paying for College

Paying for college is one of the largest expenses most families will incur.

Financial aid can be defined as any resource that supplements what parents and students are expected to contribute to meet the costs of a college education. ALL students are encouraged to apply for financial aid regardless of their perceived financial need.

Financial Aid Estimator

Financial Aid Eligibility

After completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Penn State Scranton students will be considered for all federal financial aid programs, including grants, loans and work-study programs. In addition, they may be eligible for state grant funds from their home state. 

Please do not email any Financial Aid staff your Social Security number (SS#). If the University is requesting your SS#, you can call the office at 570-963-2500 or hand deliver the information.

Students at Penn State Scranton are also considered for scholarship support, which can originate from the Office of Student Aid, the student's academic college, and/or campus scholarships.

Types of Student (Financial) Aid

There are four types of student aid: Grants, Scholarships, Loans and Work Study.

  1. Grants: Grants are awarded based solely on financial need and have no requirement of repayment.  They may come from the Federal government, the state or the university.
  2. 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. Our Penn State Scranton campus scholarship committee reviews all first-year Penn State Scranton students on a rolling basis, based upon their prior academic performance - no application is required to be considered for campus scholarship funds.
  3. Loans: Loans are low interest awards that must be repaid after students terminate their studies at the University.
  4. Federal Work Study: Federal work study funds are awarded based upon the financial need of the student and the availability of funds. Students who accept Federal work study funds can earn money towards their school expenses. Work study earnings are not applied directly to your semester bill. Students receive a paycheck.

Apply for Financial Aid

Types of Federal Student Aid

Types of Federal Student AId

If you need help paying for college or career school, the office of Federal Student Aid can assist you with getting the money you need. Check out this video from Federal Student Aid to learn about grants, loans, and work-study jobs and how they can help fund your education.

Credit: Federal Student Aid

Questions About Financial Aid

Connect with a Financial Aid Counselor at Phone: (570) 963-2500 or Request Financial Aid Information