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Checklist for Prospective Students

October (prior to attending college)

  • Be sure you and your parents, if applicable, apply for a Federal Student Aid FSA IDs
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1 for maximum aid consideration. 
  • The University of Pittsburgh Federal School Code is 008815.
  • The FAFSA uses tax information from two years ago. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool for more accurate processing of financial aid.
  • Check with your state grant agency to determine if there are any applications you need to complete.
  • For Pennsylvania residents, the PHEAA state grant consideration deadline is May 1.
  • Research and begin to submit applications for scholarships. You may also want to use scholarship search engines to locate private scholarships.
  • Once you have applied for Admissions at Pitt Bradford, you have access to our free scholarship search PittFund$Me 

December

  • New students will begin receiving awards notices. Carefully review the notification and the information included, and contact us with any questions.  

February

  • If you have not done so already, complete the FAFSA by March 1 for maximum aid consideration. The University of Pittsburgh Federal School Code is 008815. 
  • Access information on University of Pittsburgh’s payment plan.
  • Get organized—keep all of your important student aid documents in one folder. Include copies of all application materials, tax information, and letters you receive. Review financing strategies.
  • If your financial aid application is selected for verification, don’t panic. The federal government selects approximately 30% of FAFSAs for verification.
  • Provide the additional documents that are requested, such as copies of your IRS Tax Return Transcripts, W2 and 1099 forms, and any other documentation requested.
  • Respond quickly to requests for additional documentation from the financial aid office and/or your state agency.
  • If you wish to decrease your Federal Direct Student Loan(s), please send a detailed request from your Pitt email account to upbaid@pitt.edu
  • After you have reviewed your Financial Aid Notification and accepted your offer of admission to Pitt-Bradford, "Complete Master Promissory Note," and "Entrance Counseling" for your Subsidized/Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans. 

April

  • If you are a Pennsylvania resident, submit the FAFSA, if you have not yet done so, to meet the May 1 deadline for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program.
  • If you will be starting at Pitt-Bradford this summer, please contact the Office of Financial Aid for instructions.

May

  • State grant agencies begin to send aid notifications to qualifying students—watch for yours!
  • Respond quickly to requests and return the necessary forms. When in doubt, contact us.
  • Notify us of additional funding you’ll get for college (scholarships and loans, etc.).
  • Learn about borrowing responsibly. Consider a cosigner to help you get an alternative student loan.

June

  • If you are a dependent student and your parents are interested in helping to cover your balance, they may be able to borrow a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan.
  • Begin to save money for the fall semester. You should come to school with money for start-up expenses, such as your books and supplies.
  • If you need additional funds to satisfy your tuition bill and other costs associated with your education, you can access private alternative loan information.
  • Respond to requests from the college you will be attending. Keep copies of everything you send.

July

  • Fall semester tuition bill notification arrives in your university email account. Share this with your parents if they are helping to pay the bill. Your financial aid will appear as a credit on the bill.
  • If you wish to decrease your Federal Direct Student Loan(s), please send a detailed request from your Pitt email account to upbaid@pitt.edu
  • Notify us of additional funding you’ll get for college (scholarships and loans, etc.).
  • Sign up for eRefunds. It is the quickest, safest, and easiest way to get your refund. To learn how to expedite the receipt of your refund, visit the Office of the Student Accounts.

August

  • Those eligible for Federal Work Study will be notified through their university email account that the application website is available to apply for a position.
  • Your financial aid will be ready for disbursement 10 days prior to the start of the term (if all steps have been completed).
  • If there are excess student aid funds after the tuition bill is paid in full, you will receive an eRefund. To learn how to expedite the receipt of your refund, visit the Office of the Student Accounts.
  • Remember to bring money for start-up expenses such as books, supplies, and off-campus apartment expenses.

September/October (as an attending student)

  • Fall semester tuition bill is due. Log into "PittPay" to pay your tuition
  • Study, work hard, and enjoy your Pitt-Bradford student experience!
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1 for maximum aid consideration.  This is the next academic year's FAFSA! It is time to begin the process again. See the steps you completed from the previous October.

November

  • Spring semester tuition bill notification arrives in your university email account. Share this with your parents if they are helping to pay the bill. Your student aid will appear as a credit on the bill.
  • If you wish to decrease your Federal Direct Student Loan(s), please send a detailed request from your Pitt email account to upbaid@pitt.edu

 December

  • Spring semester tuition bill is due. Log into "PittPay" to pay your tuition.
  • Your financial aid will be ready for disbursement 10 days prior to the start of the term (if all steps have been completed).
  • If there are excess student aid funds after the tuition bill is paid in full, you will receive an eRefund. To learn how to expedite the receipt of your refund, visit the Office of the Student Accounts.