News and Updates http://studentaid.psu.edu Updates, Reminders, and News for Students and Families daily 1 2013-02-08T14:17:53Z Common FAFSA Error with Student Name Prevents Awarding http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/psu/UdRr/~3/qbCkHAUVHTo/common-fafsa-error-with-student-name-prevents-awarding Be sure you enter your middle initial when you fill out your FAFSA to avoid problems. To receive financial aid, your name on the FAFSA must exactly match your Social Security card, including your middle initial. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) pre-populates your first and last name from your log-in; however, the field for middle initial is left blank.

If you have a middle name or initial and do not enter it on the FAFSA, your financial aid may be held until we are able to verify your identity with the Social Security Administration.

For your financial aid to process, your name on the FAFSA must be an exact match with your Social Security card. If you have already submitted your 2013-14 FAFSA, please review it to make sure that you have correctly entered your full name (first, middle initial, and last) as it appears on your Social Security card.

Middle Initial

]]> No publisher Transfer Students 2013 Current Undergraduate Students February Parents and Families News 2013-02-05T21:40:00Z News Item http://studentaid.psu.edu/news/common-fafsa-error-with-student-name-prevents-awarding Financial Aid Basics for Parents of First-Year Students http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/psu/UdRr/~3/HSFv076C9Wo/financial-aid-basics-for-first-year-students Our video provides an overview of financial aid for parents whose students have been offered admission to the University.

]]> No publisher First-Year Students video Parents and Families News Tutorials 2013-02-08T19:55:00Z News Item http://studentaid.psu.edu/tutorials/financial-aid-basics-for-first-year-students How to Fill Out the FAFSA http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/psu/UdRr/~3/UA3Sg4dvKXI/how-to-fill-out-the-fafsa The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows students to apply for more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds. Check out this video for info about the FAFSA and the resources available to help fill out this important application.

Created by studentaid.ed.gov

]]> No publisher News video Tutorials 2013-02-08T16:05:00Z News Item http://studentaid.psu.edu/tutorials/how-to-fill-out-the-fafsa New Counseling Tool Name Causes Confusion http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/psu/UdRr/~3/tw1zok4Nqo8/new-counseling-tool-name-causes-confusion Federal Direct student loan borrowers should take caution to choose the correct counseling requirement on StudentLoans.gov to avoid delay in processing of financial aid. Entrance Counseling is a federal requirement student loan borrowers must complete in order to accept their Federal Direct loans.

Federal Student Aid recently launched a new online resource, the Financial Awareness Counseling Tool (FACT), to help student loan borrowers understand and manage their debt. This new online interactive tool should not be confused with Entrance Counseling, as both are available on the StudentLoans.gov website.

StudentLoans.gov
Screenshot of log in area on studentloans.gov

Due to the similarity in names, borrowers should carefully choose the correct counseling option to fit their needs.

Students who need to complete the Entrance Counseling requirement will see a reminder message on their "Student Aid Summary" checklist in eLion and will also receive email reminders from the Office of Student Aid.

The Financial Awareness Counseling Tool does not satisfy the Entrance Counseling requirement.

]]> No publisher October September December Current Undergraduate Students Graduate Students January News November First-Year Students 2013 2012-09-19T19:10:00Z News Item http://studentaid.psu.edu/news/new-counseling-tool-name-causes-confusion Watch out for FAFSA scams! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/psu/UdRr/~3/JjaAxNM1lII/watch-out-for-fafsa-scams Scams asking for fee to complete FAFSA Remember: FAFSA means Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The first word is FREE!

There are many bogus agencies that offer to complete your FAFSA for a fee. Some are using official looking paperwork that seems to be legitimate: They are not! There is never a reason to pay anyone to submit your FAFSA, so be on the lookout for anything that asks for money.

]]> No publisher October Future Students December Undergraduate Students Parents and Families Graduate Students January News November 2013 2012-10-12T19:20:00Z News Item http://studentaid.psu.edu/news/watch-out-for-fafsa-scams