What is Penn State Altoona's Title IV school code?
The Penn State University Title IV school code is 003329. The code is the same for all Penn State locations.

How do I apply for Loans?
If you answer that you are interested in loans on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will be automatically considered for Federal Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, and University Loans. Some loan funds are limited and will be awarded based on the availability at the time the FAFSA is received. Submitting the FAFSA before the University's recommended deadlines is the best way to ensure maximum aid consideration. Parent PLUS Loans and Alternative Loans must be applied for separately and eligibility is determined based on the creditworthiness of the borrower (and co-borrower, if required).

How do I apply for Federal and/or University funded Grants?
Federal Grant (Pell, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)) and University Grant (Penn State Tuition Assistance Grant (PSTAG)) eligibility are determined by students submitting the FAFSA. Some federal funds are limited and will be awarded based on availability at the time the FAFSA is received. Submitting the FAFSA before the University's recommended deadlines is the best way to ensure maximum aid consideration.

How do I apply for State Grants?
Pennsylvania residents are considered for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Grant by submitting the FAFSA before the PHEAA deadline of May 1 and indicating that they are a Pennsylvania resident. Only Pennsylvania residents will be eligible for a Pennsylvania State Grant consideration. PHEAA reserves the right to request verification of residency from any student, if necessary to determine eligibility.

Non-Pennsylvania residents from certain states may receive state grants from their respective states.

How do I apply for the Federal Work-Study award?
If you answer that you are interested in work-study on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will be automatically considered for this award. Work-study funds are limited and will be awarded based on the availability at the time the FAFSA is received. Submitting the FAFSA before the University's recommended deadlines is the best way to ensure maximum aid consideration.

Do I get financial aid when I go less than full-time (less than 12 credits)?
You may be eligible for a Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Pell Grant, PHEAA Grant (if you are a PA resident), SEOG, Work-Study or Perkins if you take less than 12 credits. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at W113 Smith Building or by phone at 814-949-5055 to discuss your options. Every situation is different and requires an individual review.

Can I get financial aid for World Campus (web-based) courses?
You may be eligible to receive financial aid for World Campus courses. To discuss your aid options, you may contact the World Campus directly at 800-252-3592.

Can I get financial aid for summer enrollment?
You may be eligible to receive financial aid for summer. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at W113 Smith Building or by phone at 814-949-5055 to discuss your options. Every situation is different and requires an individual review.

I am transferring to Penn State Altoona from another school this spring semester. How do I transfer my financial aid to Penn State Altoona?
If you are transferring from another school to Penn State Altoona for the spring semester you need to complete the following steps:

  1. If you had not initially listed Penn State as one of your college choices on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will need to update the FAFSA to list the Penn State Title IV school code of 003329. This can be done by making corrections to your application on-line or by calling the Federal Processor at 1-800-443-3243. You will need to have your Student Aid Report (SAR) available if requesting the change by phone.
  2. If you have a Federal Stafford loan at your other school, please contact the school and request to have the loan canceled. Once the loan has been canceled at the other school, Penn State will be able to process your loan.
  3. If you are a Pennsylvania resident and have a Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) grant, you need to contact the PHEAA Grant Division, 1220 N. 7th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102 and tell them that you are going to Penn State Altoona and living either on-campus, off-campus housing, or at home with your parents.

I just received a Federal Work-Study award. How do I find Federal Work-Study employment at Penn State Altoona?
Work-Study positions can be accessed through the Penn State Jobs site. If you are one of the candidates selected, the Supervisor will contact you for an interview. If hired, you will be contacted through email to complete a series of hiring tasks. Once all tasks are completed, you will be instructed to contact the Office of Financial Aid to complete your final onboarding paperwork. To complete this step you will need to bring the required, original (photocopies can not be accepted), employment documents. You may only begin working once all steps have been completed and you have met with a staff member in the Office of Financial Aid.

How do I get an emergency loan?
For emergency loans, contact the Office of Financial Aid, W113 Smith Building to complete a Bernreuter Emergency Loan application. Loans are only available for enrolled students at Penn State Altoona.

I am a veteran. Where do I apply for my veteran's benefits?
If you are a veteran, please contact Jean Lasinski in C122 Smith Building or by phone at 814-949-5282 Penn State Altoona to discuss your benefits and pick up the necessary applications. Once you have completed the necessary paperwork, you will need to return them to Jean Lasinski, along with your DD 214 paper or NOBE. Visit the Veterans Education Benefits page for more information.