carver hall overlooking the town of bloomsburg

Financial Aid Guide

Your college education is a crucial investment in your future. We are committed to helping you climb while making sound financial choices.

A Faster Route to Independence

When choosing the college that's right for you, it's important to consider the return on your investment. We work hard to provide a world-class education that consistently rates among the best values in the nation by publications such as Forbes and Money Magazine and costs less than half of what you could expect to pay at a private college in the state.

Guide to Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Questions

While the process of applying for financial aid and paying for college may be daunting, we're here to help. We've compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below, but don't hesitate to contact us.  Please email questions and we will reply as soon as possible.  Please note that students must have a completed FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) release for us to disclose information to anyone other than the student.

When emailing the Financial Aid office, DO NOT include any sensitive data such as social security numbers, date of birth, etc.  If you are a current student or an applicant, please include your university ID number in your email.

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Financial aid helps students and families/supporters pay for college. It may consist of grants, scholarships, work study and even loans. The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens October 1, and we recommend completing it as soon as possible. If you are a PA State resident, the deadline for the Pennsylvania State Grant is May 1.

Please use your first-choice campus Federal Title IV Code on the FAFSA:
Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg: 003315
Commonwealth University - Lock Haven: 003323
Commonwealth University - Mansfield: 003324

YES! Eligibility for federal student aid does not carry over from one award year to the next. You will need to complete the FAFSA for each award year for which you plan to be a student, including summer. Keep in mind that financial circumstances change from year to year and we get that. If something substantial changes please contact us at 570-389-4297 or via email.

If at any time during the year your family has a major change in their/your financial or family circumstances, be sure to contact us! We can’t always increase your aid but we’re happy to consider new information if things have significantly changed. 

Special Condition Form

This process is mandated by the U.S. Department of Education to confirm the accuracy of the information reported on the FAFSA. It does not mean that you did anything wrong but is simply a data check that our office must conduct. We will send emails to your university email address if information is required from you. Generally, you'll be required to upload supporting documentation to our secure portal such as federal taxes, household size, number of students from your family in college, etc. Financial aid cannot be paid until the verification requirements have been completed. If you don't submit the items requested, it will result in failure of funds being released.

Remember, loans are considered financial aid and must be paid back!

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Students are always awarded with their maximum eligibility based on their qualification from the FAFSA. However, based on federal loan limits, you may not have enough funds to cover all of your educational costs. If you need additional funding beyond the aid you were awarded, you may consider a tuition payment plan, Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan, state loan, or a private educational alternative loan. We do not recommend who to use for private loan borrowing.
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Federal Direct Parent PLUS is a federal loan available to parents to borrow for their dependent, undergraduate student to help pay for educational expenses. It is based on a credit check with the interest rate predetermined by the federal government. It is important to note; the parent is the borrower of the loan and is responsible for repayment of the loan. Learn More

You are not required to pay towards the principal of your federal student loans while you are in school as long as you are enrolled at least half-time. There are no prepayment penalties for paying your federal student loans.  Interest will accrue on any non-subsidized  loans while enrolled.   You can always make interest-only payments or pay on any portion of your loans while attending school if you choose.

 If you have private or state loans, check with your loan servicer as to repayment obligations.

The COA is basically your budget. It is the total average amount it will cost you to attend in an academic year and includes things like tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, course materials, supplies and equipment, transportation and personal expenses. The COA does not equal your actual tuition bill and varies from student to student.

In order to continue receiving federal student aid, you need to make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Essentially, you need to maintain a certain grade point average and complete enough classes in order to successfully complete your degree/certificate in the required time frame established by the university. Federal student aid includes: grants, loans, and work-study. 
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Dropping or withdrawing from a course or from the university may affect your current and future financial aid. Before you make this decision, please email our office or give us a call at 570-389-4297. 

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Financial aid will be disbursed once the drop/add period has ended for the semester.

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If your financial aid exceeds your university charges you may.
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If your financial aid exceeds your university charges you may.  Please remember that refunds of excess financial aid do not occur until after the semester has started.  If your rent is due before this, you will need to work with your landlord. 

COVID-19 Information

We understand that you and your family may be facing financial challenges due to the outbreak of COVID-19. If you expect your total family income for 2021 to be reduced by at least 20%, you may consider completing our special condition form available on the Financial Aid Forms page. If you are a PA resident, you should also complete the reduced income form and submit it directly to PHEAA for review. Please note that the earliest you can complete these forms is 4 weeks after the loss of income began.

illustration of Carver Hall

Opportunity in Reach

See how we're dedicated to helping you secure a brighter future at a better cost.

88%
of incoming students receive financial aid
Students walking into Commencement Ceremony
99% of graduates are employed or in grad school within a year of graduation
1,200
on-campus work study positions available
$9 million
in institutional scholarships awarded annually
Carver Hall illustration inside a keystone shape

Additional Resources

Financial Aid Contacts