118 Russell Hall     570-484-2344     F. A.  H o m e    E-mail your questions to: sfs@lhup.edu

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Frequently Asked Questions

Financial Aid Calendar
The staff of the Student Financial Services Office is pleased to provide this calendar to assist you with the financial aid process. The calendar has been designed to help you keep track of your progress as you go through the application process, so please feel free to print it for future reference. If you have not already done so, make a file in which to keep this calendar and all other documents related to financial aid.  Please note that this calendar pertains to the financial aid process at LHU only.  If you are interested in another school, contact that school’s Financial Aid Office for information about financial aid.

Click on the month for its content or scroll down to view the entire text:

January   February   March   April   May   June   July   August   
September
   October   November   December

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BEGIN PREPARING YOUR FEDERAL TAX RETURNS
File parents' and student's federal tax returns early so that you are ready to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the March 15th deadline. Keep a copy of every document sent to the IRS (e.g. 1040, all schedules, W-2s, etc.) for future reference.

BEGIN COMPLETING THE FAFSA
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for financial aid at Lock Haven University (LHU).  LHU’s Federal School Code is 003323.  Students are encouraged to file the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.govThe FAFSA on the Web Worksheet will help you (and your parents if you are dependent student as determined in Step 3 of the FAFSA) collect information needed to complete the FAFSA.

NOTE: You may complete the FAFSA anytime starting January 1st LHU recommends that you file the FAFSA by March 15th

REVIEW YOUR SPRING CLASS SCHEDULE CAREFULLY
If you are a returning student, you should consider your class schedule as it relates to financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements.  Be sure to satisfy the credit and GPA requirements so that you qualify for financial aid next year.

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APPLY FOR LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY                     Date Submitted ___________ FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
Incoming freshmen
are automatically considered for LHU Foundation scholarships.  Returning students should complete the Scholarships and Awards application by the February deadline.  For more information about Foundation scholarships, click here.

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID FOR SUMMER 
LHU begins sending information about summer financial aid to incoming freshmen who will begin their studies in the summer.  In April Student Financial Services will begin awarding summer aid to returning students who have current-year FAFSAs (i.e. 2007-2008 FAFSAs for summer 2008) on file and are registered for summer classes.  For more information about financial aid for summer, please visit http://www.lhup.edu/financial-services/financial-aid/summeraid.htm 

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SUBMIT THE FAFSA BY MARCH 15th                           Date Submitted ___________

File
the FAFSA as soon as possible.  LHU recommends that you file the FAFSA by March 15th to be considered for campus-based aid including the Federal SEOG Grant, Federal Work Study, and the Federal Perkins Loan.  Remember that other schools may have earlier deadlines.  Keep a copy of the completed FAFSA for future reference.  Upon receipt of the FAFSA, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), will send first-time Pennsylvania filers a form to collect more information for PA State Grant consideration.

NOTE:  Do not wait until you have been accepted to file your FAFSA. List the school you’re most interested in first on the FAFSA.  If you will not attend that school, you can easily update your application.

If your federal tax returns are not yet complete, use estimated tax information to file the FAFSA by March 15th.  You may provide your actual tax information later.

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

RECEIVE YOUR FRESHMAN/TRANSFER FINANCIAL AID AWARD LETTER
LHU begins sending financial aid award letters to incoming freshmen and transfer students who have filed the FAFSA.  

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PLAN YOUR FALL CLASS SCHEDULE CAREFULLY
If you are a returning student, you should consider your class schedule as it relates to financial aid.  Be sure to satisfy credit and GPA requirements so that you qualify for financial aid next year.

RECEIVE YOUR SAR
Receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within a few days of filing your FAFSA online. Read it carefully and make any necessary corrections. If you make corrections, you will receive a revised SAR, and LHU will be notified of the corrections (if you listed LHU as one of your school choices).  Review the revised SAR and, if it’s correct, keep it for your records.  The correction process can be repeated if you need to make additional corrections.

FILE YOUR LOAN APPLICATIONS (if  interested)         Date Submitted ___________

If you would like a Federal Stafford Loan, make sure you indicated your interest in student loans on the FAFSA.  If you didn't indicate interest and want a loan, correct your SAR.  A Federal Stafford Loan will be automatically approved for you.  If desired, file Federal (parent) PLUS and alternative loan applications.  Federal PLUS Loan applications must be obtained from either AES/PHEAA (800-692-7392) or a participating lender; parents may also apply online at www.aessuccess.org.  For alternative loan information, please visit http://www.lhup.edu/financial-services/financial-aid/alternative_loan_programs.htm  Keep the borrower copy of any loan applications you complete.

RECEIVE YOUR SUMMER FINANCIAL AID AWARD LETTER
LHU begins emailing financial aid award letters to students who have current-year FAFSAs (i.e. 2007-2008 FAFSAs for summer 2008) on file and are registered for summer classes.  

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RECEIVE YOUR PENNSYLVANIA STATE GRANT AWARD NOTIFICATION
PHEAA begins notifying Pennsylvania filers of their PA State Grant eligibility in mid-May.

NOTE:  It is LHU's responsibility to notify PHEAA if the student changes housing status, adjusts enrollment, or receives additional aid, all of which could affect the grant amount.

RECEIVE YOUR RETURNING STUDENT FINANCIAL AID AWARD LETTER
LHU begins sending financial aid award letters to returning students who have filed the FAFSA.  

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LHU BEGINS PROCESSING LOANS FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR
AES/PHEAA will contact new Stafford Loan borrowers who must  complete an online Master Promissory Note (MPN) and an online entrance loan counseling session.

RECEIVE A MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN BROCHURE
LHU sends a payment plan brochure to all new and returning students.  If you do not receive a payment plan brochure by June 15th, you may request one by contacting the Student Financial Services Office at 570-484-2344 or via email at sfs@lhup.edu .

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RECEIVE THE FALL SEMESTER BILL
LHU sends the fall semester bill to all registered new and returning students by the end of the month.

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REVIEW YOUR FALL CLASS SCHEDULE CAREFULLY
Consider your class schedule as it relates to financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements.  Be sure to satisfy the credit and GPA requirements so that you qualify for financial aid next year.

PAY THE FALL SEMESTER BILL                          Date Submitted ___________

The fall semester bill is due this month.   Financial aid that has been awarded will appear as credit on the bill.  Federal Work Study will not be listed on the bill.  To avoid a late fee or hold on next semester’s registration, the balance due must be paid by the due date.

WELCOME TO ANOTHER EXCITING SEMESTER AT LHU!

Fall semester classes begin in late August or early September.

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COMPLETE THE FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN ENTRANCE 
COUNSELING SESSION      
                                               
First-time Federal Stafford Loan borrowers who have not yet done so must complete an online entrance counseling session before their loans can be disbursed.  Go now to AES/PHEAA’s web site at www.aessuccess.org to complete the Stafford Loan entrance counseling session.

NOTE:  The session may be completed at any time, even before you enroll. 

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FILE YOUR 
SPRING LOAN APPLICATIONS (if  interested)                Date Submitted
___________

If you would like a Federal Stafford Loan, make sure you indicated your interest in student loans on the FAFSA.  If you didn't indicate interest and want a loan, correct your SAR.  A Federal Stafford Loan will be automatically approved for you.  If desired, file Federal (parent) PLUS and alternative loan applications.  Federal PLUS Loan applications must be obtained from either AES/PHEAA (800-692-7392) or a participating lender; parents may also apply online at www.aessuccess.org. .  For alternative loan information, please visit http://www.lhup.edu/financial-services/financial-aid/alternative_loan_programs.htm  Keep the borrower copy of any loan applications you complete.

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PLAN  YOUR SPRING CLASS SCHEDULE CAREFULLY
Consider your class schedule as it relates to financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements.  Be sure to satisfy credit and GPA requirements so that you qualify for financial aid next year.

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RECEIVE THE SPRING SEMESTER BILL                    Date Submitted ___________

LHU sends the spring semester bill to all registered new and returning students by the end of the monthFinancial aid that has been awarded will appear as credit on the bill.  Federal Work Study will not be listed on the bill.  To avoid a late fee or hold on next semester’s registration, the balance due must be paid by the due date.

RECEIVE A FAFSA REMINDER FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applying for financial aid is an annual process, so get ready to start all over again in preparation for the next academic year.

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Updated 01/13/2008