HARRISBURG, Pa. — On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Education reminded students that they must submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before June 1 to claim state financial aid.
“It is imperative that students planning to attend college next year fill out the FAFSA to ensure they aren’t leaving money on the table,” PDE Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin said in a press release. “Thousands of dollars in aid are available to help students pursue postsecondary education without taking on unnecessary debt and the key is applying for free student aid before June 1.”
FAFSA is the sole gateway to all federal, state, and most institutional financial aid in Pennsylvania, including student loans available for all income levels, PDE said.
The FAFSA form allows students to request federal grants, work-study funds and loans, all in one application.
This year, students can access up to $5,750 in aid by filling out the form, and toolkits and resources are available online for counselors and partners, students and parents and college access practitioners.
FAFSA completion nationwide is at crisis-low levels due to delays in the application release and subsequent processing and data errors, which is why it is now more important than ever for Pennsylvania to lend support to postsecondary students, PDE said.
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) extended the deadline for FAFSA completion for state financial aid to June 1. To be considered for a PA State Grant, students must submit a completed FAFSA form before June 1.
Earlier this year, Governor Josh Shapiro announced the blueprint for higher education — a plan that dramatically increases funding for state colleges and universities, unites them under a new governance structure and ensures higher education is affordable for all.