There’s no merit aid. FAFSA doesn’t offer financial aid, it only files your application for a loan ($5,500).
Apply on September 1st, indicating you want to major in French and want to do Paterno Scholars. It’ll be a good push for your application.
Your chances are excellent because Penn State factors in your GPA for 2/3 of the decision, because from your current score to 1800 it shouldn’t be a problem, because applying on Sept 1st and absolutely before Nov 1st gives you a little advantage, and because you’re applying for a less-represented major plus would indicate you want to “take up the challenge” for Paterno Scholars (which gives you access to some Schreyer classes and if you complete them satisfactorily, gets you into Schreyer.)