For Parents

Help your learner through the financial aid process.

Parents of Dependents

Helping your student apply for financial aid for college can be an overwhelming experience, but we are here to help. Here are some tips to help you as a parent of a college aged student.

The process begins with the FAFSA completion. The FAFSA is the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which looks at student’s income and yes, the parents if that student is under 24 years of age and relies on a parent to pay most of their living expenses.

Free FAFSA Application

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How Financial Aid Works

Step One

Start Planning Early

Step Two

Fill out the FAFSA®

Step Three

Review Aid Offer

Step Four

Receive Financial Aid

Step Five

Repay Your Loans

Types of Aid

Also involved in this process is knowing what kind of aid your student is eligible for. This information is shared directly with the them via their Financial Aid Award Letter through the NPRC student portal, otherwise known as “My NPRC”.

Once a student knows their aid offer, it's important to understand what types of aid they've received. This video helps explain.

Financial Aid Resources for Parents NPRC

After College

Once your student has finished college, it’s time to begin preparing to repay any loans they have taken during their college years. Most aid earned through NPRC is a combination of free funding sources they have no need to pay back. However, some forms of aid received may include loans, such as the Federal Student subsidized and unssubsidized loans.

These two types of loans are through the federal government, were awarded based on the FAFSA results, and are repayable to the government after graduation usually over a 10-year period of time. For more information on this subject, visit the Federal Student Loans website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I considered an independent or dependent student on the FAFSA?

When will I receive my financial aid refund?

If I am a dependent student and my parents are divorced or separated, whose financial information should be used on my FAFSA? 

If your parents are divorced, separated, or never married, and don’t live together, the parent who provided more financial support during the last 12 months is the contributor. 

If your parents are divorced, separated, or never married; don’t live together; and provided an exact equal amount of financial support or if they don’t support you financially, the parent with the greater income and assets is the contributor.

Do I have to reapply for financial aid every year?

Yes. The FAFSA is available for the next academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer) beginning in October. To meet the Pennsylvania State Grant deadline, you must file your FAFSA every year by August 1 for the next academic year.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required of all families applying for financial assistance. It is a standard form from the Department of Education that determines eligibility for all state and federal grants.

Family financial situations change significantly as siblings graduate from or enroll in college, education costs increase, or unexpected situations occur, so it is required that every family submit a FAFSA yearly. It is very important that the form be turned in on time—check out the FAFSA online or consult your guidance counselor and finaid.org for more information.

How do I apply for a Pennsylvania State Grant?

What is the difference between a subsidized and unsubsidized loan? 

How do I apply for student loans?

What is verification?

What step do I need to take to complete verification?

Do I have to be a full-time student to receive financial aid?

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and what does it have to do with my aid?

What if I have an unusual circumstance?

You may have an unusual circumstance that prevents you from contacting your parents or obtaining their information. If this is the case, you will be eligible to skip any questions about your parents, submit your FAFSA form as an independent student, and receive a provisional SAI. Your provisional SAI is subject to a final review by NPRC and may change your eligibility for federal student aid. After submitting your FAFSA form, you must contact the financial aid office to receive information about next steps—including policies and timelines—to complete your application.

Can my financial aid award change?

Yes. Your financial aid awards will change if you adjust your schedule prior to OR during the “schedule adjustment” period of a semester. Additionally, loans will be adjusted if you receive later awards from other sources. (think scholarships that arrive to NPRC a bit later). And let’s not forget if a student decides to withdraw from the school all together, this has other ramifications, and you should reach out to the Financial Aid office for more information on that topic.

Do parents receive a copy of their student's grades?

What is the difference between a high school and college environment?

The college environment requires students to function independently, be self-directed, and be mature enough to handle adult subject matter and a diverse population. College students are expected to contribute to the learning environment and behave in a manner that will not disrupt instruction, the classroom, events, or other campus settings. The college workload averages two hours of homework for every hour of class time.

Who do I talk to if I have financial aid questions?

See What Our Students Have to Say

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