Financial Aid Packaging Process

Financial Aid Process for Current Students

All returning financial aid applicants are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) between January 1 and April 15 in the year prior to re-enrollment.   Please list Allegheny’s Federal School Code, 003230, in the school section of the FAFSA.

Before beginning a FAFSA, students and parents should create their own FSA username and password in order to sign the FAFSA electronically and later access a processed FAFSA. Your FSA ID# confirms your identity.  Please note that the FAFSA must be signed by both the student and a parent to be valid.

Initial financial aid packages will be mailed in early June.

Financial Need

Official financial need is defined as the Cost of Attendance (COA, total amount of annual educational expenses) minus the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC, amount calculated to be met through family financial resources).

COA – EFC = Official Financial Need

A financial aid “package” may consist of need-based and non-need-based financial aid from a variety of institutional, federal, state, and private sources.   Typical types of aid include grants, scholarships, loans, and employment options.  Together with resources available from the family, the total amount of financial aid options may meet the annual cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, room, board, and allowances for books, transportation, and personal expenses).