Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to students applying to Carlow University. The type of aid available depends on your student type. Aid (including grants, loans and work-study) eligibility is determined by the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).

Each year, the Financial Aid office mails you a financial aid award letter outlining your financial aid package for the upcoming academic year. Complete the checklist included with the award letter to finalize your financial aid package. View or download the Understanding your Financial Aid Award [pdf] booklet. 

Important Dates

• Oct. 1: FAFSA opens
• April 1: Deadline to submit your FAFSA (May 1 for PHEAA State Grant)

Filing your FAFSA

Follow the steps below. If you need help, contact the Financial Aid office at +1 (412) 578-6389. Additional help can be provided by the Federal Student Aid Customer Service at +1 (800) 433-3243.

1. Create FSA User ID (student and parent/guardian)
2. Complete FAFSA: Whenever possible use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to automatically move your income information from the IRS to the FAFSA. Carlow University’s Federal School Code is 003303. If you list Carlow first, we will receive your Pennsylvania State Grant information from PHEAA.  
3. Review Student Aid Report: After you file, the U.S. Department of Education will notify you that your FAFSA was processed and provide you with a Student Aid Report (SAR). Review the SAR for accuracy, and if necessary, correct your FAFSA online.

Available aid

To learn more about aid available to you, choose the appropriate student type below.

• Traditional First-Year Undergraduate: for students currently enrolled in high school
• Traditional Undergraduate Transfer: for students transferring from another university who earned a high school diploma four years ago or less
• Adult Undergraduate: for adults who have earned a high school diploma more than four years ago
• Graduate: for students who want to pursue a certificate or a master’s or doctoral degree
• Work-study program

Additional resources

• Financial Aid Forms: a list of forms you may be asked to complete as a student attending Carlow
• Financial Aid Policies: financial aid policies that are important to each Carlow student
• Federal Student Aid: information about type of loan, repayment plans, repayment estimators and eligibility requirements
• National Student Loan Data System: review borrowing history and determine loan servicers
• ELMSelect: a convenient tool to compare lenders
• Annual Credit Report: request to review your credit reports

Learn more about budgeting and financial literacy at:

• You can deal with it
• Khan Academy
• MyMoney
• 360 degrees of Financial Literacy
• The Simple Dollar 

Note: Because of the nature of federal, state and institutional guidelines affecting financial aid programs, the information contained on this website is subject to change.