This process is an involved one...but a VERY IMPORTANT ONE. ALL students should apply for aid through the FAFSA process (see below). Colleges / Universities will not consider students for work study or some scholarship opportunities without having this on file. It is the STUDENT 'S responsibility to understand and complete this process with parent/guardian help.
Each college or university may have a different deadline for filing the FAFSA form. Students are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to have this filed by February 1st in order to meet almost all deadlines.
Families do NOT have to have their taxes filed in order to complete the FAFSA. Simply estimate to the best you are able and then update information as needed after your taxes are filed. The numbers must match after all filing is complete.
Using the wrong PIN numbers. Be sure to carefully enter these numbers - student and parent.
After you submit, be sure to write down your DRN (data release number) in case you need to contact them later.
Click on the PA Resident link at the end of the process in order to then complete the information for money from the state. This link will only be available the FIRST time you get to this screen.
This form is required by some schools (students must check with the schools they are applying to determine if this is required.)
This form can be found, under students, then Pay for College. There is a registration fee and a fee for each school the report is sent to.
The year of the form indicates the year in which the money will be used to pay for post-secondary education. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid and is the form that must be completed as early as possible after January 1st of the year. Aid is needed for any student to receive aid for college, tech school, trade school, business school, or university programs. The application is available online by going to: