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Apply for Financial Aid

  1. Admissions and Aid
  2. Financial Aid Guide
  3. Apply for Financial Aid

Follow these steps to apply for financial aid and begin your climb at BU!

  1. File the FAFSA

    The first step is to file your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It's free to file and you'll need to file each year while you're enrolled. This will help determine your eligibility for grants, loans, work-study jobs, and some types of scholarships.

    FAFSA Simplification for 2024-2025 Academic Year

    Due to the passing of the Free Applicaiton for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Simplification Act on December 27, 2020, as a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the FAFSA is changing for the 2024-2025 aid year.

    You can expect the following changes:

    • The 2024-2025 FAFSA will not be available until December 2023.
    • The 2024-2025 FAFSA determines your financial aid eligibility for summer 2024, fall 2024 and spring 2025 terms.
    • The FAFSA application process will be streamlined and easier for students to complete.
    • New terminology will be added to the FAFSA.

    We will continue to update this page as additional information becomes available.  

    FAFSA for 2023-2024 Academic Year

    The 2023-2024 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens October 1, 2022, 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, 2023.

    • 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
    • Pennsylvania residents should complete the FAFSA by May 1 for potential state aid eligibility through PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency). You can apply for the Pennsylvania State grant immediately after completing the FAFSA through a link on the confirmation page or by visiting the PHEAA website and creating an account. Not a PA resident? Contact your state's higher education assistance agency to explore potential options.

    To file your FAFSA, you'll need the following:

    • Student and parent FSA IDs
    • Student and parent Social Security numbers
    • Student and parent prior, prior year federal income tax returns (include Schedule 1, 2 & 3 if applicable) Note: The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is an option within the FAFSA to automatically retrieve and transfer income and tax data from the IRS into the FAFSA. This is the preferred method, if possible.
    • Student and parent prior, prior year W-2 forms and other records of money earned
    • Student and parent prior, prior year untaxed income received including: workers’ compensation, child support, payments to tax deferred pension, savings plans, etc.
    • Current bank statements & records of stocks, bonds, 529 plans and other investments

    Check Your Eligibility

    To receive financial aid, there are certain eligibility requirements you'll need to meet before applying and to maintain after you're enrolled.

    Learn more

    Get Your FSA ID

    The FSA ID is a unique username and password you'll need to access all Federal Student Aid websites. You'll use it for multiple years so we recommend you store it in a safe location that you will remember. If you're a dependent student, your parent will need to create their own parent FSA ID for use on these sites as well.

     

    Create FSA ID

  2. Apply for Scholarships

    Each year, Bloomsburg University awards $9 million in scholarship funds - with $2.6 million awarded to incoming students - like you!

    First-year and transfer students: most scholarships are awarded by the Admissions office. Students who apply prior to Jan. 15 are given priority consideration. Students who are awarded a scholarship will receive an award notification, and the scholarship will be posted to the student's financial aid record. 

    Current students: Applications are available after Jan. 1 and the deadline to apply is March 1.

    Apply for BU Scholarships

    Already Received a Scholarship?

    Congratulations! Make sure to let us know and submit your scholarship checks and award letters to the:
    Student Billing Office
    336 Arts & Administration Building
    400 E. Second St.
    Bloomsburg, PA 17815
    Phone: 570-389-4013
    Fax: 570-389-3898

  3. Receive and Review Your Financial Aid Notification

    Once your FAFSA is processed, your financial aid will be determined.
    You'll receive a Financial Aid award notice electronically - so be sure to check your university email often!

    Review your financial aid package to determine how much you still owe and any additional forms our office may still need from you.

    Financial Aid Office Tip

    Your university email is the primary way our office will communicate with you. 

  4. Accept Your Financial Aid Award

    Make sure you provide our office with all requested items or you'll delay your financial aid.

    • Sign and submit a FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) form to release your information to those you choose other than yourself such as a parent/supporter helping you pay for college.
    • Accept/decline Federal Direct Loans on your university account.
    • Complete the registration to-do list item for each semester once assigned

    Questions? We Have Answers!

    Not sure what you need or have questions?

    Help is just an email or phone call (570-389-4297) away!

  5. Complete Your Final Steps

    If you're taking Direct Student Loan, you'll need to complete the following in order to finalize the financial aid process: 

    • Visit studentaid.gov and log in using your FSA ID (Username/Password).
    • Complete Entrance Counseling
    • Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN)

    Additional Financing Options (if needed):

Carver Hall illustration inside a keystone shape

Additional Resources