I am attending at Penn State fall 2019 at University Park campus. I am a citizen of New York. I want to know how I can get more finical aid because it is way too expensive and I already committed. MT EFC is 0 and will be taking a loan to cover everything. I have a brother who is also in college taking a loan. My family is very low income. I want to apply for TAP for it is only to new york schools. I am still paying 30,000 per year after fasfa. I am already applying to scholarships but they are small amounts and selective. Does anyone know how I can get cheaper tuition with Penn State or can apply to any private or government help?My family is very low income and I’m pretty sure will fit any income guidelines. Thanks
If you are paying $30,000 per year, then you would need to borrow at least $120,000 total to graduate. In practice the number would probably be a bit more due to inflation and miscellaneous costs. You cannot borrow this much yourself. You would need to get an adult to co-sign, and it would have to be someone who can qualify to borrow this much. You do not want to start university, take on debt, and then have to withdraw part way through because you cannot find enough money to continue.
I am not particularly knowledgeable about financial aid, but I would be very surprised if you could get enough scholarships to cover the cost.
I think that you might have to take a gap year and re-apply to in-state universities. You have great in-state options in New York that would be less expensive.
PA charges it’s own residents some of the highest prices for its flagship schools. The story is that neither Pitt nor Penn State are state schools in the same way most state schools are. But for most of us, when PA is brought up, for state flagships, it’s PenN State and Pitt.
Neither school guarantees to meet full need even for its own residents. PA has its own state aid, like we NYers have TAP, but you aren’t eligible for it and you can’t use TAP for OOS schools.
With a 0 EFC, and only federal money, no scholarships, you can’t afford this school. You can’t borrow enough to pay for it. You parents should not be borrowing this kind of money even as a co-signer for you because those kind of loans hit them as hard as they hit you. You are talking about way over $120K in loans. It makes no sense for you or your parents to borrow this kind of money.
We are lucky enough to live in a state where college is very affordable. SUNY tuition is covered for you with the Excelsior, TAP and federal entitlements. Even with those, sleep away College is going to be expensive and you may not be able to afford it.
It’s highly unlikely you are getting any sizeable scholarships at this time. Not is it likely you can make that kind of money over the year.
You need to rethink this.
Penn State does not meet need based on your FAFSA EFC, so unless you receive a scholarship from them covering your gap after $6,195 Pell and $5,500 loan it will not be affordable.
You committed but you can still withdraw and go to another school, you might lose your deposit.
Were you accepted to a SUNY? Are any in commutable distance?
With a $0 EFC as a NY resident you should get tuition at SUNY and CUNY covered with Excelsior and/or TAP and Pell and loan can pay for fees and books and transportation.
Fees, room and board at a SUNY runs around $15,000 a year I think so it might still be too much for you to pay alone, if living on campus.
Why did you commit to attending a college without a way to pay for that college? Where did you think all that money was going to come from?
As a NY resident, you have many SUNY options…if you applied…and one within commuting distance of your home would have been affordable…because your tuition would have been covered.
Agree with the others that PSU is unaffordable, and there are no scholarships available that will cover those costs for this year, let alone the following three years.
Some of the SUNY’s may also still be taking apps for the fall and/or spring semesters so check into that ASAP. Is there one you can commute to?
You need to withdraw your enrollment at Penn State, take a gap year, and apply within the CUNY/SUNY system, and to other places that are likely to be affordable. Run the Net Price Calculator at each of their websites, and see whether they might work for you. Go see your guidance counselor on Monday, and get some help making a new list of places to apply to.
I know it is very sad that you can’t afford Penn State. But there are other good options out there for you.
You won’t get more aid for Penn State. It’s not worth $120k (plus interest). You can still decline their offer.
As a low income NYS resident there is aid available to you, but it’s for NYS schools. The Excelsior Scholarship will cover your tuition at SUNY universities. Check the list of colleges still accepting applications and apply to some SUNY schools. The [2019 NACAC thread](2019 NACAC List - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums) has an updated list. Brockport, Potsdam, Geneseo, Albany, and Fredonia are all on it. If you’re in the City, look into the CUNY schools.
Are there any colleges you can commute to from home? What major are you interested in?
What possible benefit is there to attending PSU over a NY school? What are you getting that is not available for $120,000+ less money? The answer is DEBT. Crushing debt.
Your family is very low income. Who will be there to cosign your loans? Who will be there when you need $400 or $600 or much, much more to tide you over until loans are dispersed? PSU is a state affiliated university that provides a very good education. NY has many outstanding choices that will be much more affordable. Money just not just help with tuition but also with experiences that help you to make connections and have favorable outcomes once you graduate. Having no money to join professional organizations, get to networking events, purchase interview clothes will impact your outcomes after graduation.
Go to your least expensive viable option in state. Use any loan money/grant money/scholarships to excel, get involved, and prepare for you future. You will have much better outcomes than if you go to PSU and barely graduate and are saddled with a HUGE debt. That is the best case scenario that you are facing right now. The more likely scenario is you are approved for loans with a cosigner for one or two semesters before your family has maxed out on available credit that anyone will offer. You will then need to drop out but those loans will not go away. You will be servicing debt with no degree. This will impact the ability for you (and your family) to take on more loans at a more affordable choice in NY. You will be stuck. No degree. No money. $30,000 in debt and no way to secure more to continue your education.
Good for you to ask now. You have worked hard in school and set yourself up for a bright future. Now you stand at the most important crossroad to date. It is a great time to show your maturity and how smart you are. Invest in YOU and go to a school you can afford.
Do not attend Penn State. Take a gap year and apply to SUNY schools…or…apply now to the SUNY schools noted above that still have space available.
You don’t need to take a gap year. Many SUNYs and CUNYs are still accepting applications. Good luck to you
Have you looked into any of the CUNY schools? New York has some good colleges. There’s no need to go to PA.
His major is an issue as I doubt any schools will still be accepting applicants for engineering
If your major is engineering, and given your financial situation, I’d avoid PSU. Engineering at PSU is rigorous enough so that only about 1 in 3 prospective engineering majors finish the degree. You can’t take out that level of loans and risk not earning the degree to pay it all back. I agree with others. Withdraw. Take a gap year and work to save money and apply to NY state school. PSU is awesome but not worth that level of debt. If you want engineering, you can always take some calculus courses at a nearby community college during your gap year.
Make sure to add SUNYs to.your FAFSA, if you decide to try to still apply to some.
@Sophley it would be best for the OP to NOT take any community college courses during a gap year, so as to preserve status as a freshman student (for maximum merit and need-based aid). Some colleges/universities consider students with any college credits taken after high school graduation to be transfer students.
Do not take classes at a CC during our gap year as these may jeopardize freshman Scholarships. You can prepare yourself over the summer with Khan academy or with MOOCs though.
Committing to a college on May 1st isn’t like committing to a marriage. 
(Well, even with a marriage, you can divorce…) A big number of students change their mind. The number is factored into admissions right off the bat - it’s so common there’s even a word for it, summer melt.
Fortunately for you, you live in a state that has excellent universities and financial aid for residents. As mentioned by @austinmshauri , Brockport, Geneseo, Albany, Fredonia all have space still.
You don’t even need to take a gap year!
Go to the link (NACAC list) and contact the contact person at the email provided, asking whether you can still apply for Engineering. List your GPA, sat score, any AP/IB taken.
@MYOS1634 The OP’s major (Architectural Engineering) is uncommon and is probably not available at the SUNYs listed above. A gap year may be needed to find more affordable schools with this major.
@sybbie719 Do you have suggestions for a student from NYC who has a ~3.7 GPA, 1200 SAT, 0 EFC, and an interest in architectural engineering?
OP, what do you hope to do with the degree? @MaineLonghorn, do we have any architects who could suggest similar majors or more affordable schools? Maybe other schools call the major something else.
Civil Engineering would be a good option for someone interested in architectural engineering. Depending on the 4th year course choices s/he makes, s/he would access the same job openings as with architectural engineering and have more choices besides.
A very strong background in math& Physics is needed for both, preferably mastery of calculus foundations in high school.