Financial Aid: For Parents

For Parents of Students

Information for Parents

Sending your child off to college is hard enough without the added stress of trying to muddle your way through the web of financial aid applications and forms.  At Marywood University, the Financial Aid Office is here to answer your questions and provide assistance as you determine the best way for you to finance your child’s education.  Below are some general financial aid guidelines that can help get you started.

The Financial Aid Application Process

  • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only financial aid application you need to complete for Marywood University.  The FAFSA is a FREE application and you should not pay to have it completed.  The following video walks you through the steps to complete the FAFSA:  2022-2023 FAFSA Full Walkthrough

  • The FAFSA must be filed on an annual basis. First-time freshmen are advised to file by the priority filing deadline of February 15th.  April 15th is sufficient time for returning students.

  • After filing the FAFSA, you could be selected for a process called Verification.  If so, you will be contacted by the Financial Aid Office with further instructions. 

  • After evaluation of your FAFSA, the Financial Aid Office will send your student a Financial Aid Award Letter detailing all the grants, loans and work-study for which your child is eligible.

    • Grants do not have to be repaid. 

    • Scholarships do not have to be repaid.

    • Loans Do have to be repaid after the student has graduated or withdrawn from college.  See our website for further information on student loans.

    • Student Employment is employment and the student receives a bi-weekly paycheck.

  • To avoid processing delays, review our application process for new or returning students and then review the steps for receiving aid.

Deadlines

Whether you are completing the FAFSA or applying for outside scholarships, be aware of deadlines.  

  • PA State Grant recipients are required to complete the FAFSA every year no later than May 1st.   
  • If you have a grant from a state other than PA, check directly with your state grant agency for their deadlines.
  • Some private renewable scholarships also have annual deadlines by which their applications need to be submitted.

Special Circumstances/Appeal

There are times when your family may experience special circumstances, such as loss of employment, separation or divorce, etc., that significantly reduces family income. This may warrant a special review of the student’s financial aid package.   Information on special circumstances is available on the Financial Aid Website or by contacting the Financial Aid Office.

Payments

Financial aid award letters are calculated for an entire academic year; however, student bills are generated by semester. Approved financial aid for the semester should appear as a credit on the bill. If it does not, the student should contact the Financial Aid Office. Specific information about our 2022- 2023 costs is available by visiting the Cashier’s website.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Your student has certain rights regarding their education records when beginning attendance at a post-secondary institution, or upon reaching the age of 18. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) transfers the rights to the student. Limitations are placed on student record information that may be released to third parties (which includes parents, guardians or caregivers) without the student’s written permission unless it is considered “directory information.”

Directory information includes a student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance.

We will require proof of your identity as required by FERPA when calling on the telephone or emailing.

Important NoteAll correspondence from the Financial Aid Office is sent to the student, not the parent.  Our official means of notification to the student is through their Marywood University email account.

Detailed information about costs, financial aid awards, timelines, policies and alternative financing methods are available on the Financial Aid Office website.  If you prefer to meet with a Financial Aid Advisor in person, please feel free to contact our office for an appointment.  We can be reached by calling 570-348-6225 or by emailing [email protected]