Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

The first step in applying for Federal Financial Aid for both new and continuing YSU students is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Below is a list of tips and resources to assist with completing the FAFSA:

  • Create an FSA ID which will consist of a Username and Password (FSA ID site)
  • Have both the student’s and family’s (if applicable) tax information and W2’s available
  • Complete the FAFSA
  • Answer “Yes” to IRS Data Retrieval
    • Unable to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool? Request an IRS Tax Transcript
    • Student and/or parent(s) may also be able to submit a signed copy of tax form 1040 in lieu of the IRS Tax Return Transcript.
  • List YSU's school code: 003145

For a more detailed step-by-step guide to completing the financial aid application process, see the How to Apply page for further instruction.

Individual assistance is also available, by appointment, with a financial aid counselor by contacting our appointment line.

Watch the Department of Education's How to Fill Out the FAFSA.

Please note that the Financial Aid Award Year for the administration of Title IV Aid consists of Summer, Fall and Spring semesters with the Summer semester leading the packaging cycle. Financial aid that has been awarded cannot be released until 10 days before the start of each term.

If you have already completed applying for aid and have received a financial aid award offer, please see our How to Accept Your Financial Aid Offer guide for completing the acceptance process.

Announcements

  • YSU Virtual Financial Aid Night January 26, 2022 at 6:30pm

    Posted on
    December 2, 2021

    Youngstown State University’s Virtual Financial Aid Night is a community service event that provides helpful information to the parents of students in grades 11 and 12 planning to attend college. In addition to a full presentation that will detail the basics about applying for financial aid, attendees can also call in or live chat with a financial aid counselor, and/or schedule an appointment for direct assistance with online applications. Registration Required.

    Register

    Read more

  • Virtual Student Loan Repayment Session presented by Sallie Mae Video Now Available

    Posted on
    November 30, 2021

    View the recorded live presentation featuring Ed Recker from Sallie Mae originally held on November 30. The presentation covered topics like student loan repayment plans, loan forgiveness programs, and borrower rights and responsibilities.

    Read more

  • 2022-2023 Housing Grant Application Now Available

    Posted on
    October 15, 2021

    The 2022-2023 Housing Grant Application is provided for students who are planning to live in University Housing or Courtyard Apartments. The priority deadline for application is February 15 for continuing students and December 1 for all incoming new students. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required and must be received by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships prior to completion of the application.

    Apply Now

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  • YSU Foundation Scholarship Application Tutorial Video

    Posted on
    September 24, 2021

    The YSU Foundation Scholarship Application is now available for completion for the 2022-2023 aid year. Please see the video below for assistance on how to complete the application.

     

     

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  • “HOW TO ACCEPT YOUR FINANCIAL AID OFFER” TUTORIAL VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE!

    Posted on
    March 10, 2021

    The “How to Accept Your Financial Aid Offer” tutorial video provides step-by-step instructions for YSU students on how to accept their financial aid offer through the Penguin portal.

    Read more
    Watch the video on YouTube

  • Test Optional Scholarship Awards

    Posted on
    December 7, 2020

    Youngstown State University will begin awarding merit based scholarships to incoming freshman students admitted under YSU’s test optional admission policy for Fall 2022. Scholarships ranging in value from $1000 to $3000 will be awarded to students accepted under the regular admission policy with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or greater AND a recalculated high school GPA of 3.0 or greater based on 5 core subjects (English, Math, Science, Social Science, and Foreign Language).

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