51³ÉÈ˵¼º½

Financial Aid

Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as early as possible! The sooner you complete it, the sooner you will know how much you may be eligible to receive.

The Office of Financial Aid will provide information on the following:

  • PELL Grants (aid that does not have to be repaid)
  • PA State Grants (aid that does not have to be repaid)
  • Loans (borrowed money that must be repaid with interest, but with a payment schedule that makes repayment manageable)
  • Work Study (part-time employment that earns you a paycheck for your educational expenses)
  • Scholarships (financial assistance that does not have to be repaid


You only need to complete one application to be considered for grants and loans. Scholarships and Work Study have some additional forms, which are generally simple to complete. 

Follow our Step-by-Step Guide or view the videos below to help guide you through the process.  

Financial Aid Computer Lab (In Person at Marple Campus and Virtual)

Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Fridays: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Closed Fridays in the summer)

Student Peer Technicians will not be available through Summer 1 session at this time.  The Financial Aid computer lab is Self- Service.

Virtual Financial Aid Lab appointments currently have limited availability but can assist with FASFA completion, and submitting other Financial Aid requirements and documents. Please email the Financial Aid Office to schedule an appointment.

PELL Grants are awarded to eligible students as determined by the Federal government on the basis of information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is easily completed online atÌý. Eligible students must enroll in a minimum of 3 credits to receive a PELL Grant and the amount is adjusted on the basis of number of credits you are enrolled in.

51³ÉÈ˵¼º½â€™s Educational Foundation offers over $600,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholarship has its own criteria for eligibility established by the donor. The application process generally begins in February, with a deadline of May 1. Notifications typically go out to students over the summer months preceding their next academic year’s enrollment.Ìý

Learn more and apply

External Scholarships
There are many scholarships available to students going to college. Taking the time to research and apply will pay off.ÌýThe CollegeÌýhas some tips on what to look for while doing yourÌýscholarship search.Ìý

Taking out aÌýmodestÌýloan to help with educational expenses may be more beneficial than trying to work too many hours to make ends meet, and not being able to keep up with your school work. Most students who file the FAFSA will be offered loan money by our Financial Aid Office. You can accept the amount being offered, lower it, or decline it altogether. Under the Federal Direct Loan program, you may be offered either a subsidized loan, an unsubsidized loan, or both.Ìý

  • A subsidized loan is one for which the Federal government pays the interest while you are in enrolled in college;
  • An unsubsidized loan is one where you are required to begin paying the interest immediately, even while you are attending college;
  • A PLUS loan is a federalÌýloan to the parent(s) of a student; it is not the student’s loan as are the two Direct Loans mentioned above. Parents without an adverse credit history can borrow a PLUS Loan to pay the education expenses of a child who is a dependent student and enrolled at least half time in an eligible program at 51³ÉÈ˵¼º½. Parents can initiate their PLUS loan application atÌý.

The good news is that, as long as you are enrolled in college and making satisfactory academic progress, you do not need to begin repaying your loan. Once you stop attending—for whatever reason—you will be required to begin repayment. However, the payment schedule is one that most students find to be manageable.

Student Loan facts at 51³ÉÈ˵¼º½:

In 2024-2025 46% of enrolled 51³ÉÈ˵¼º½ Financial Aid Applicants borrowed from the Federal Direct Loan program.

A Cohort Default Rate (CDR) is the percentage of a school’s federal student loan borrowers who entered repayment in a specificÌýfederal fiscal yearÌýand then defaulted on their loans within theÌý“cohort default period”.Ìý Reported rates are based on 3 years prior to the current year.

51³ÉÈ˵¼º½ cohort default rates as reported by the Department of Education (NSLDS)

Three-year Official Cohort Default Rates

Fiscal Year202220212020
Default rate0.0%0.0%0.0%
Number in default000
Number in repayment1,7531,8372,086

51³ÉÈ˵¼º½ compared to National Cohort default rates are the same due to the Covid 19 national pause on student loan repayments.

Students participating in Work Study are employed part-time for up to 15Ìýhours a week in jobs located at the College or in the local community and receive a paycheck from the College each pay period. Many Work Study jobs provide students with experience related to their field of study. To qualify for Work Study, students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits and be in satisfactory academic standing (minimum GPA of 2.0).

More information

Pennsylvania State Grants are awarded to eligible students as determined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania using the FAFSA, so you do not need to file a separate application for this aid. Eligible students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits with at least 3 credits in regular college-level course work (not developmental/remedial).

Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver
A waiver for tuition and mandatory fees charged by most post-secondary institutions located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for youth who are or were in foster care.ÌýThis waiver applies only to charges that remain after all other gift aid (federal, state, and other scholarships or grants) have been applied to the student’s account.
Ìý

Financial Aid Made Simple

Key Steps in Your College Financial Journey

Application Process

Cost of Attendance