How to Apply

The application steps to apply for financial aid at Youngstown State University are listed below.  It is important to note the priority deadlines of February 1 for new students, and February 15 for continuing students.  Most campus-based aid is awarded to students that have met the February 1 or February 15 deadlines.  Late applicants should make an appointment to speak with a financial aid counselor.

Special note for mid-year transfer students: If you have a Federal Pell Grant, YSU's six-digit code must be listed as one of your college choices on the FAFSA to ensure that your aid is transferred.  Update your FAFSA to include YSU's code (003145).  If you had a Stafford or PLUS loan, you will have to re-apply.  You will also need to contact your previous school's financial aid office to cancel pending disbursements (if any).

For a more detailed explanation regarding the financial aid application process and types of aid available, please refer to the Guide for Financial Aid and Scholarships.

1.
Apply for admission to YSU.  The admission application process must be complete in order to be considered for YSU scholarships and receive a financial aid package.  With the exception of the University Honors College Application, there are no other application forms needed for YSU's Scholarships for Excellence.
 
2.

Create an FSA ID.  All FAFSA contributors are required to create an FSA ID.  A FAFSA contributor can be the student, student's spouse, parent, and/or parent's spouse.  The FSA ID allows the contributor to electronically sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (see step 3).

For future reference: new student loan applicants may also use their FSA ID to complete Entrance Loan Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) electronically.
3.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://www.studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa no later than the YSU priority filing date of February 1 for new students, and February 15 for continuing students. YSU’s FAFSA six digit school code is 003145.
4.

Once the FAFSA has been processed, the student will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary.  Review the FAFSA Submission Summary for accuracy. The FAFSA Submission Summary will provide the Student Aid Index (SAI) figure used to determine financial need.  If corrections are needed, click correcting your submitted FAFSA for instructions.  If assistance is needed with the correction process, contact a financial aid counselor in our office.

The FAFSA determines a student’s eligibility for Federal and State grants.  YSU also uses the FAFSA (more specifically the Student Aid Index) to determine financial need for other types of campus-based aid such as Federal Work-Study, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), as well as to determine eligibility for Federal student loans.
5. If a student/family is selected for the federal student aid process of verification, YSU will request either a signed copy of tax form 1040, or IRS Tax Return Transcript, and additional documents to complete the review of the FAFSA. Students/families are encouraged to retain copies of all records (the federal tax returns, untaxed income statements, bank records, etc.) used to complete the FAFSA in case their record is selected for this review.
6.
Complete the Housing Grant Application if you are planning on living in university housing.  The Housing Grant Application is accessible on our web site. The FAFSA must be completed prior to submitting the Housing Grant Application.
 
7.
Scholarship offer letters will be mailed to eligible students on a rolling basis as they are accepted for admission. To ensure acceptance of a scholarship(s), sign and return the acceptance letter no later than May 1.
8.
A financial aid offer (package) will be issued when the FAFSA is complete and campus-based aid has been awarded.  If a new student meets the February 1 priority filing date for financial aid consideration, they will receive a YSU financial aid offer by the end of February.
9.

Follow the instructions included with your financial aid offer to accept the awards. Students must login to their Penguin Portal account to view and accept their aid. New students will receive their Penguin Portal User ID and initial password with their admission information.

The financial aid offer lists student loan eligibility, however, students/parents planning on obtaining federal educational loans must meet the guidelines listed on the financial aid offer and our web site (Federal Entrance Counseling and signing a Master Promissory Note are required steps).

Click to view a detailed explanation of how to accept your aid at Youngstown State University.