Types of Financial Aid
GrantsGrants do not have to be repaid. They vary for each student, and eligibility is based on financial need. The Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, PHEAA State Grant, Penn State Tuition Assistance Grant, and the Penn State Opportunity Grant are available at Penn State University.
Loans
There are several types of loan programs available to students to help finance their education. In many cases eligibility is based on financial need, and amounts vary for each student. Loans must be repaid when the student graduates or ceases enrollment. Interest rates are usually low and repayment can be up to ten years. Penn State administers the Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, and the Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). There are also alternative loan programs available; these loans should be used as a last resort. Alternative loans are in the student's name but will likely require a credit worthy cosigner.
Working on Campus
There are numerous Student Employment opportunities at Penn State Behrend. Jobs on campus are convenient and can often be related to your academic major or career goals.
Penn State Behrend participates in America Reads, the opportunity for Federal Work-Study recipients to earn money reading to and tutoring preschool and elementary school children.
Scholarships
Penn State Behrend, the Office of Student Aid at University Park, and the academic departments award scholarships. Eligibility is primarily based on merit, but financial need is often a secondary criterion. Notification of awards is usually mailed separately from other financial aid correspondence. Awarding usually occurs in the spring prior to fall enrollment. Incoming freshmen and current students are automatically considered for most scholarships. Visit our scholarship "quick facts" sheet for more details.
Outside scholarships are available through civic foundations, non-profit organizations, churches, high schools, and employers. Penn State also recommends several scholarship search programs on the Internet. These searches are free to prospective and continuing students.
The following PDF is a list of outside scholarship and loan opportunities complied by the Financial Aid Office at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. (PDF)
Please note: When searching or applying for outside/private scholarships, NEVER send any organizations money. A fee requirement is often an indication of a scholarship scam.