How to Apply

Important Information

Federal School Code for the FAFSA:  008815
Federal Pitt-Greensburg Code for loans:  003379-04
Pitt-Greensburg Switchboard Operator:  724-837-7040
Billing - Statements and Payments:  724-836-9697

Financial Aid:  724-836-9881
Student Housing and Meal Plans:  724-836-7869

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Step 1

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The federal government encourages students to apply online with FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.gov. The government will share this information with your state agency and with your school to help determine federal grants, federal loans, state grants, aid administered by the University, and some alternative student loans.

Priority Deadline:
Freshmen — March 1
Returning Students/Transfer Students — May 1

Internet

Prior to filing online, Internet filers should visit www.pin.ed.gov for a Department of Education Personal Identification Number (PIN). The student and his/her parent must each have a PIN. These numbers will serve as electronic signatures and allow the applicant to access and change the FAFSA information online.

Complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov. There is no charge for this. The Central Processor will process an application submitted online quicker than a paper application. The Student Aid Report (SAR), which summarizes your information, will be e-mailed to you.

Paper
For an actual paper FAFSA, students should contact the federal government at 1-800-433-3243.

Step 2 - Review Your Student Aid Report

The student will receive a Student Aid Report from the federal processor which summarizes his/her FAFSA information.

• Correct any incomplete or inaccurate information on your SAR; instructions are provided.
• Both the student and parents must sign it (electronically or written) and return it to the federal processing center for further processing.

The SAR also gives the student the DRN and the EFC.

DRN

• Is a number assigned to the student
• When telephoning the FAFSA processing center, the student will need to give the DRN in order to access his/her account.

 EFC

• Is the Expected Family Contribution
• This  is not the dollar amount that the family will pay for the student's education.
• It is a number used by the federal government when evaluating eligibility for grants and loans.
• The EFC remains the same regardless of the cost of the education.

STEP 3 - The Verification Process

The federal government selects 30% of all FAFSA filers for verification. When a FAFSA filer is selected, the student will receive a Verification Form from Pitt-Greensburg.

• The student and parent must complete the form and supply signed copies of the student's and parents' federal 1040 and W-2 forms to Pitt-Greensburg.
• Unsigned Verification Forms and tax forms will be returned.
• The school uses the tax information and Verification Form to correct the FAFSA.
• The student will receive a new SAR that reflects corrected information.

STEP 4

If you plan to apply for a Direct Stafford Loan:

The student must complete a Federal Direct Master Promissory Note (MPN).  This can be done electronically at www.studentloans.gov.  The student’s Department of Education PIN will serve as the student’s signature when completing the MPN electronically. 

STEP 5

A Direct Stafford Loan Entrance Counseling Session must be completed before the Direct Loan funds may pay into your account. This is a federal government regulation.

Renewal FAFSA

Reapply for financial aid each academic year.

• Applicants who filed online last year will be sent the PIN as a reminder to file again.
• Applicants who filed by paper will receive a FAFSA on the Web Worksheet by mail.
• Visit www.pin.ed.gov or telephone 1-800-801-0576 if you cannot locate your PIN.
• In most cases, students will not have to file a new Direct Loan Master Promissory Note.
• Only transfer students and first-time Direct Loan  borrowers will have to complete an Entrance  Counseling Session.
• Parents will need to reapply for the Direct PLUS Loan.

Costs/Academic Year 2010-2011 (2 terms)

Because costs are not set until July of each year, we are providing the cost figures for the 2009-2010 academic year. Expect a cost increase for next year. We recommend allocating $1,076 per year for books.