Financial Aid

Federal Pell, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grants (SEOG), state grants, and PSU Grants and Scholarships make up need-based gift level.  Federal and state grants are based on current year funding from state and federal governments and are subject to change.  If any awards change due to funding availability, PSU will notify you after we receive official notification from the appropriate agency(ies).

FEDRAL PELL GRANTS are awarded to undergraduate students – those who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. Unlike a loan, repayment is not required. If you are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, PSU will determine the amount for which you qualify based on resources reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . The FAFSA produces an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) used to determine aid eligibility.

Beginning with the 2012-13 academic year, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, limits use of the Federal PELL Grant to 12 semesters during each student’s lifetime eligibility for Pell Grants.  This change impacts ALL students who have ever received Federal Pell Grants.  Students who are close to their eligibility limit may be eligible for less Federal Pell Grant funding than they would have been previously.

If corrections are required, we may need to receive an updated FAFSA correction from the Department of Education before we can finalize your award. The amount of your award is determined by the cost of attendance at the institution, your status of full-time or part-time, and whether you attend school for a full academic year or less. You may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EQUAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS (SEOG) are for undergraduates with exceptional financial need—that is, students with the lowest EFC’s as deemed by the data you report on your FAFSA. Priority is given to students who also receive Federal Pell Grants and file by PSU’s priority deadline of March 1. A Federal SEOG does not have to be paid back. Please note that every eligible student may not receive a Federal SEOG because awards are based upon the funding availability at PSU. Expected academic year Federal SEOG awards range from $200 to $600.

Federal TEACH Grant Program (TEACH) is not available through PSU.

STATE GRANTS are available to help needy undergraduate students. Many states in New England have grants available for their exceptionally needy students. Each state determines the amount of the award based on the Expected Family Contribution as determined through the completion of the FAFSA. Some states require an additional application be submitted to them.  Individual state deadlines may apply. Please contact your state for more information.

Connecticut – (860) 947-1801
Maine – (207) 623-3263
Massachusetts – (617) 391-6070
Pennsylvania – (800) 233-0557
Rhode Island – (401) 736-1100
Vermont – (802) 654-3750

*New Hampshire State Grants are no longer available as of the 2011-2012 academic year.

PSU GRANTS are need-based gift assistance awarded through a review of the student’s financial eligibility as determined from the results of the FAFSA. Students receiving PSU Grants are required to file their FAFSA by PSU’s priority filing deadline of March 1st.  Eligibility is determined annually based on reviewing the FAFSA by PSU’s priority deadline and fund availability.           

Note: Grants and Scholarships (Federal Pell, State Grants, and PSU Scholarship/Grants ) make up the gift level awarded by PSU.  If ANY federal/state awards change, there normally is an adjustment in PSU’s University Grant award (up or down).