Although economic conditions have required more students and their parents to seek financial aid and other funding sources, Penn State remains highly popular among applicants and enrolled students from Pennsylvania, the United States and the world, according to panelists during a presentation today (Nov. 6) to the University's Board of Trustees. Presenters Robert Pangborn, vice president and dean for Undergraduate Education; Anne Rohrbach, executive director for Undergraduate Admissions; and Anna Griswold, assistant vice president for Undergraduate Education and executive director for Student Aid, highlighted data regarding 2009-10 student enrollment, 2008-09 applications to the University and levels of financial aid during the 2008-09 school year, respectively. (more)
Penn State World Campus, Continuing Education, Student Affairs and Undergraduate Admissions are hosting enrollment information sessions for spring and summer 2010 at two locations on Thursday, Oct. 8: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 129 A-C at HUB-Robeson Cultural Center and 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Centre County Visitor's Center on Park Avenue. At these sessions, Penn State employees can talk with staff from Undergraduate Admissions, Office of Student Aid, Continuing Education, World Campus, and Student Affairs to learn next steps to begin the enrollment process. (more)
Students who expected to receive a Pennsylvania state grant administered through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will have their Penn State fall semester tuition bills credited for the estimated grant amount. PHEAA normally issues grants in August, but is dependent on an authorized state appropriation to do so. With no comprehensive state budget to date and the fall semester rapidly approaching, it seems less and less likely that those funds will be available for the start of the academic year. (more)
Anna M. Griswold, Penn State's assistant vice president for Undergraduate Education and executive director of the Office of Student Aid, testified this morning (May 21) in Washington, D.C., before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor. Her testimony focused on Penn State's switch to the Federal Direct Loan Program in March 2008, her assessment of the University's student aid operations since that time, and her expert opinion regarding the feasibility of a similar changeover at other colleges and universities. (more)
Penn State Altoona will set aside up to $50,000 a year in a new scholarship program to assist students completing a four-year degree at the college. The scholarship will be available to juniors and seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. (more)
Anyone who plans to enroll, or has considered enrolling at any university is invited to attend one of two remaining Financial Aid Workshops hosted by Penn State DuBois. The programs, hosted by Financial Aid Coordinator Terry Feathers, are designed to explain the process of finding and securing financial aid. Two are planned: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 at Clearfield Area High School and 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at St. Mary's Area High School. (more)
Student internships and study abroad opportunities can help students expand their knowledge and understanding of academic subjects and other cultures, but participating in these activities can be a financial challenge because of the additional costs to travel and live in other locations. That's especially true for Penn State's more than 20,000 adult learners -- those 24 years old and older who have returned to school after a few years, are active duty and veterans of the military or are managing multiple roles. By establishing the Adult Learner Opportunity Fund, Leslie A. Laing, coordinator for Adult Learner Programs, Division of Student Affairs at Penn State, hopes to make striving for the best opportunities within reach of adult learners. (more)
When economic clouds darken, the cost of education becomes harder to justify for adult students, even though continuing their education is crucial to accessing new economic opportunities. To help meet those financial challenges, the Penn State World Campus staff created the World Campus Student Fund, a fund that provides aid for students in financial need. (more)
The Office of Student Aid reminds Penn State students and their families that it is not too late to apply for federal student aid for the current academic year (2008-09). Federal Pell Grants, Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Direct Parent Loans (PLUS) are all available to those who qualify. These sources of student aid have not been affected by the economy, but it is recommended that students apply as soon as possible if assistance is needed to help with payment of spring semester tuition and other education expenses. (more)
Penn State's decision earlier in 2008 to participate in the Federal Direct Loan Program has been successful, offering efficient and stable access to financial aid during an uncertain state of the national economy, explained Anna Griswold, assistant vice president for Undergraduate Education and executive director for Student Aid, as part of a panel presentation Friday, Nov. 21, to the University's Board of Trustees. (more)
