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Apply for Financial Aid

Follow these steps to apply for all sources of financial aid:
  1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by May 1.  You should complete a FAFSA for every year you are enrolled in college. Filers now have the ability to directly import IRS tax data into their FAFSA. Families that import and do not change their IRS data are much less likely to be selected for federal verification (an audit).  Importing data also allows Student Financial Services to process your aid application in a timely manner. View a FAFSA tutorial video here.
  2. First-time, incoming students are automatically considered for most Clarion University scholarships, many of which are not need-based.
  3. You can also be considered for any Clarion University scholarships that are need-based by filing your FAFSA by March 1.

  4. First-time Pennsylvania state grant applicants who have filed a FAFSA will receive an email from the Pennsylvania State Grant Agency (PHEAA) asking them to link to PHEAA to complete the online PA State Grant Status Notice form. After completing the online form, be certain to print, sign, and return the signature page to PHEAA.
  5. If you are selected for federal or state verification, complete and submit the requested financial aid form as soon as possible.

  6. Apply for a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, if needed. (Unlike the FAFSA, this is not an annual requirement – once you complete the loan forms, they are viable for 10 years). First-time applicants should sign in, and then complete BOTH the Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note.
  7. If needed, apply for PLUS and private loans after July 15. Our computerized system will not retrieve loans submitted before this date, and you will have to reapply for the loan.
  8. Enroll in the tuition payment plan (if needed) over the summer.
  9. We encourage all students to investigate scholarship opportunities on their own. Check in your own community, with your high school guidance counselor, or utilize a scholarship search program, such as FastWeb.  Check out our External Scholarships page for some more ideas.
Last Updated 12/1/22