When to Apply for Financial Aid

Filing Deadlines

The FAFSA must be filed every year for the upcoming academic year. Students are urged to file as early as possible. Priority deadlines are as follows:

  • February 15th - Priority deadline to be considered for Kutztown University need-based scholarships and campus-based aid (SEOG Grant) for the most needy students.
  • May 1st - Pennsylvania State Grant (GRANT US). FAFSA must be filed prior to May 1st.
  • Fedearal Pell Grants will be processed throughout the academic year.
  • Stafford Direct Loans and PLUS Loans will be processed throughout the academic year.
  • Current and incoming students are encouraged to complete a scholarship profile each year between November 1st to March 22nd. The majority of scholarships are then awarded between April 1st through June 1st.  

Financial Aid Calendar

January/February
File parents' and student's federal tax returns . Keep copies of EVERY document sent to the IRS (1040, all schedules, W-2s, etc.). The Financial Aid Office may require these for verification.

March
Kutztown University begins to send out financial aid award letters to incoming freshmen and transfer students.

April
Incoming freshmen and transfer students who accept their Federal Direct Loans, must complete online Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note, by going to https://studentaid.gov/.

May
PHEAA notifies students about Pennsylvania State Grant awards. (NOTE: The school will notify PHEAA if the student changes housing, adjusts enrollment, or receives additional aid, all of which could affect the grant amount).

June
Incumbent students' aid is processed and financial aid awards appear online after end-of-semester grades are posted and eligibility is reviewed.

July
Fall semester bill arrives via email in the middle of the month.

August
Fall semester bill is due (early in the month). Financial aid that is cleared appears as credit on the bill. 

Fall semester classes start late in the month.

September
Drop/Add occurs the first week of the semester. To meet Financial Aid progress requirements, a student must earn 2/3 of the credits they are enrolled in on the last day of Drop/Add and have an overall GPA of 2.0.

October
File the FAFSA early. Priority filing deadline is February 15 to be considered for university need-based scholarships and campus-based aid for the most needy students.

NOTE: Do not wait until you have received acceptance of admission to file your FAFSA. If you will not attend your first-choice school, you can easily have your information released to another school.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only application needed to apply for aid at Kutztown University. (Students interested in a Stafford Loan must also complete a Master Promissory Note in addition to the FAFSA). Upon receipt of the FAFSA, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), will email first-time Pennsylvania filers a link to complete a Status Notice Form to collect more information for Pennsylvania State Grant consideration.

NOTE: Non-Pennsylvania residents should contact their state's higher education assistance agency to apply for a state grant from their home state.

November
Register for spring semester courses. Be sure that you will satisfy the financial aid progress requirement for the number of credits needed to qualify for next year's financial aid.

December
Spring semester bill arrives early in the month and is due at the end of the month.