Financial Aid and Scholarships

You have made the commitment to invest in your future, and we are making a commitment to help you. Our Financial Aid O ce provides assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) whenever you need it, but it is important to apply early.

Step 1:

Request, Retrieve or Reset Your FSA ID

Request, retrieve or reset your (and your parents’, if you’re a dependent) Federal Student Aid FSA ID at studentaid.gov.

Your FSA ID lets you “sign” your online FAFSA, access and make corrections to your application information, and more – so keep it safe.

Be sure to include “Pennsylvania Western University” and our school code “003316” on the selection summary tab.

Step 2:

Submit Your FAFSA

Submit your FAFSA online at studentaid.gov. FAFSA applications open Oct. 1. The recommended deadline date is March 1 each year to ensure eligibility for state grants as well as campus and endowed funding.*

Step 3:

Review Scholarship Opportunities

If you have a GPA of at least 3.0, you could be eligible for a scholarship. Scholarships may be awarded based on any number of criteria, such as academics, achievements, hobbies, talents, a liations with various groups, or career aspirations, so be sure to explore your options at clarion.edu/scholarhips

Step 4:

Watch for Award Notification “Request for Verification Information”

Accepted students will receive financial aid award o ers via email. Emails will be sent to both your PennWest.edu and the personal email account that is included in your application. In addition, a link to the award o er will be sent via text message to the cell phone on file.

Learn more about accepting aid at PennWest.edu/tuition-and-aid

* PA residents must file by May 1 to be considered for Pennsylvania State Grant funds.

New Student Orientation

Experience all that PennWest has to o er.

At your New Student Orientation session, you and your family will really get a sense of what it will be like for you to attend PennWest Clarion.

Here’s What You Can Expect:

• Confirm your schedule

• Explore aspects of campus that may include:

- Financial aid and student accounts

- Academic success

- Clubs and organizations

- Housing and campus life

- Meal plans

- Health services

- Parent/family sessions

- Other basics of campus life

• Get to know other incoming students, our student ambassadors and some of our sta

Register

for New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation is required for all incoming first-year and transfer students. Register at clarion.edu/orientation

Students must pay their deposits in order to register for orientation and to receive their schedule.

There’s college life. And then there’s PennWest life. While you get comfortable on campus, get to know some of the traditions and favorites that make our campus home. Join the fun during Welcome Weekend, including the traditional New Student Convocation and stay for the fireworks following the ceremonies.

Campus Traditions

Homecoming/Autumn Leaf Festival

Our most popular event by far is homecoming which coincides with the town’s nine-day Autumn Leaf Festival. Homecoming events include the Distinguished Awards, a morning alumni reception just before the parade and, of course, the big homecoming game with an alumni reception. Students, alumni and the entire town get in on the fun.

Outdoor adventure

One of the biggest traditions of being a Clarion student is simply enjoying the campus’ proximity to downtown amenities and outdoor activities. With a vibrant downtown featuring shops and restaurants, students are welcomed by a town that embraces them. There’s also a hiking trail that begins on campus and a popular swimming location just a short drive away to the Toby Bridge. Welcome Weekend reinforced this tradition with swimming and fishing by the Toby Bridge swimming spot.

Ernie the Eagle

Ernie the Eagle is Clarion’s Golden Eagle mascot, who hatched in 1979. He’s had many makeovers throughout the years to become the bu specimen you see today. You can see him strutting his stu all over campus and at Clarion sporting events as he prides himself on being the biggest Golden Eagles sports fan.

PennWest Resources

Tuition and Aid: PennWest.edu/tuition-and-aid

IT Services: itservices.pennwest.edu

Academic Resources: PennWest.edu/academics/academic-resources

O ce of Military and Veterans A airs: Robert Prah, Director of Military and Veterans Success 724-938-4076, prah@pennwest.edu

O ce for Students with Disabilities: Ron Radaker, Director, rradaker@pennwest.edu

109 Becht Hall

Transfer questions: transfer@pennwest.edu

O ce of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Rogers J. Laugand III, Director of Multicultural A airs and Diversity Education

PennWest Clarion 412 Becht Hall; 814-393-1908; rlaugand@pennwest.edu

Engage for student organizations and events: engage.pennwest.edu/events

Housing: reslife@clarion.edu or 814-393-2352

Global Online: online.pennwest.edu