The Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects access to educational records maintained by the University. This includes financial aid information, billing, academic advising information, etc.

If you have someone who might be helping you with college matters (parents, siblings, partners, etc.), you have the option to release your information to them. This is the best way for us to help support you and your friends/family while at YSU.

Use the directions below to complete an Education Information Release via Proxy. These are saved automatically and can be updated or removed at any time. 

• Education Information Release via Proxy Instructions

YSU bills are primarily the student's responsibility to manage. If you have someone who may want to receive billing statements, retrieve tax information, or make payments on your behalf, you can add them as an Authorized User. This provides secure access to a third party to view and make payments on your account.

Follow the directions linked below to add an Authorized User

• How to Add an Authorized User

Refunds from financial aid or self-pay are processed as physical checks by default. 

To receive your refund as a direct deposit, follow the directions linked below. 

• How to Enroll in Direct Deposit

Your direct deposit information will be saved for all refunds going forward. If you change banks, make sure to log in and update your direct deposit information. 

The YSU app provides students and the current YSU community a place to stay informed! Download the YSU app for easy Penguin Portal access, updated campus events, campus resources and services, and to connect with other students!

• YSU APP Purpose and Guidelines | YSU

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is completed every year. The FAFSA for the next year is typically available in mid to late October (example: the 2026/2027 FAFSA was released in October 2025). Use the link below to complete a FAFSA

• FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid

The priority deadline to submit the FAFSA is February 15th.

If you would like assistance completing a FAFSA, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at ysufinaid@ysu.edu or (330) 941-3505.

Financial aid walk-in appointments are also available for additional assistance. Walk-ins are from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm, Monday through Thursday

The YSU Foundation offers over 1,100 scholarships across various majors. As of academic year 2025-2026, the YSU Foundation now houses the scholarship application and handles the awarding process for these 1,100 scholarships only.

Please use the links below for the scholarship application and more information on the YSU Foundation and other scholarship opportunities.

• 2026/2027 YSU Foundation Scholarship Application
• YSU Foundation Scholarship Search

Financial aid offers are sent out starting in early to mid-March each year for the following academic year. It typically takes 3 to 5 business days to receive and provide a financial aid offer after the FAFSA is completed.

Financial aid offer notifications are sent via email when your aid offer is available to view/accept.

You can use the link below for instructions on how to view and accept your aid offer.

• How to Accept Your Aid Offer

If you are selected for verification or have any other financial aid requirements, you can review them by checking your Financial Aid Snapshot via the Penguin Portal

If you would like to review your aid offer, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at ysufinaid@ysu.edu or (330) 941-3505.

Financial aid walk-in appointments are also available to review aid offers from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm, Monday through Thursday.

To help make sure you're on track to graduate, it's a good idea to meet with your advisor at least once per semester to review your degree requirements and upcoming registration.

If you're not sure who your advisor is or how to contact them, you can find their information in the Penguin Portal by looking at the Academic Advisors card. If there's no information listed, contact the Penguin Service Center, and we can help you get connected!

New students or readmitted students, student athletes, CCP/YREC, and students who have completed less than 60 credit hours (freshmen and sophomores) are required to meet with their advisors prior to registration.
Not sure if you need to meet with an advisor? Contact the Penguin Service Center for assistance.

Priority registration happens every November and April for the following semesters. You will get a few emails about a month before registration opens to let you know when your priority registration time begins and if you have an alternative PIN to register. You can also use the link below to view the Priority Registration Calendars for the upcoming year. 

• Priority Registration Calendar

Review the directions below for more help with registration, including registering for classes, how to waitlist, and how to change variable credit hours

• Registration Instructions

Even if you're going to receive financial aid, it's always best to review your billing statements once they are available.  
This can help make sure that you've completed your requirements and help you prepare if you have any out-of-pocket balance to pay.

You can visit the Billing Schedule for a billing timeline and important billing due dates for the current semester.

Please visit our Billing Instructions for more information on paying bills, signing up for payment plans, and adding Authorized Users.

Once registered for classes, you can check your semester booklist on the YSU Barnes and Noble page.

• How to: View booklist

Parking passes are ordered every semester! Parking Services will send out an announcement email once passes become available for the upcoming semester.

• How to Request a Parking Pass

You need to be a registered student and have no outstanding account balances to order a parking pass.

Final grades are available to view in the Penguin Portal at the end of every semester. Check the YSU | Academic Calendar for when final grades will be updated for each semester.

• How to View Final Grades

Penguin PASS is a system designed to help you understand your program requirements and progress. You can review your Penguin PASS to make sure you're on track with your degree completion plan. 

• How to Complete a Degree Audit

If you need to provide official proof of enrollment, you can request an Enrollment Verification Letter via the Penguin Portal. 

Verification letters will have your name, address, semester dates, class standing, time status (full-time, part-time, etc.), and estimated graduation date

• How to Request an Enrollment Verification Letter

Enrollment letter requests are processed the following business day.

It's a good idea to review your information to make sure that everything is up to date! Use the directions linked below to update your home/mailing address, emergency contacts, and phone number.

• How to Update Information

Before you can apply for graduation, you will need to complete a Graduation Evaluation Request. These evaluations are typically requested at least 2 semesters prior to the graduation semester.

Once your evaluation is completed, you will be able to apply to graduate!

Contact your academic advisor for assistance completing the evaluation.

Graduate students are not required to complete a graduation evaluation.

Congrats on getting close to graduation! In order to finalize graduation and receive your diploma, make sure to apply to graduate!

• Apply for Graduation | YSU

Please review the Graduation Application Deadlines for the last day to apply, application fee information, and diploma processing timeline.

If you need proof of your degree before you receive your diploma, you can order your official transcripts, which will show your graduation date, degree, and major of study.

• Request a Transcript | YSU

It may take up to one month after the semester ends to have your degree officially awarded. Make sure to check your unofficial transcripts to verify that your degree has been awarded or check the YSU | Academic Calendar for the guaranteed degree posting date.