FUTUREYOURINVESTMENTYOUR,
A college education is an investment in your future. IUP is committed to helping you make it affordable, and we will be with you for help and advice every step of the way. In this book, we’ll cover some basics that every student and family should know about the financial part of college. Use the checklist on this page to understand the steps involved and start planning your investment in yourself.
(FORIUP RESIDENTS)PA OFFROMSTUDENTS(FORIUPOUTSTATE) OTHER UNIVERSITIES†HIGH-RESEARCHPA COLLEGES‡PRIVATEPA (PERTUITIONYEAR) $7,716 $13,890 $42,428 $35,487 (PERFEESYEAR) $3,574 $4,999 $1,671 $1,068 (PERANDROOMBOARDYEAR) $10,920* $10,920* $15,101 $13,455 TOTAL $22,210 $29,809 $59,200 $50,011 *Including a $1,000 housing scholarship ($500 per semester) for students living on campus in suite-style housing for
There are two parts to making a college education more affordable: costs and financial aid. We strive to support our students in both areas, from a 20% tuition reduction for Pennsylvania undergraduate students beginning fall 2022 to merit scholarship consideration for all admitted students. Flip to the back cover to learn more about our commitment to affordability. 2023-24.
THE KEYS TO AFFORDABLEANEDUCATION
†Based on an average of recent data provided by the five other schools that share IUP’s High Research Activity designation ‡Based on the average of all private, four-year schools in Pennsylvania that have published this information 20% REDUCTIONTUITION for fallstudentsundergraduatePennsylvaniamostbeginning2022 3 TUITIONOFYEARSFROZEN before the fall 2022 tuition reduction $15 MILLION+ IN SCHOLARSHIPS awarded to IUP students in 2021-22 93% OF RECEIVEDFRESHMENSCHOLARSHIPS that were renewable and based on merit in fall 2021 SCHOLARSHIPHOUSING$1,000 ($500 per semester) for students living in our suites on campus during 2023-24 HOW IUP STACKS UP PENNSYLVANIA:IN
// 02 Important Checkpoints for Financial Aid Check your estimated cost of attendance at IUP.edu/cost. Apply to IUP. We consider all students for merit-based scholarships as soon as they’re admitted. Starting October 1, file the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. File before May 1 the following year for maximum aid consideration. Apply for state grants that you don’t need to pay back. In Pennsylvania, that’s PHEAA.org, and you should file by May 1. Look for additional, external scholarships through your high school, at IUP.edu/ExternalScholarships, or by using a reputable source like Fastweb.com. Work with us for help along the way. Call us at 724-357-2218 if you have any Learnquestions.moreabout each of these steps at IUP.edu/GetAid EXPECTED COST OF ATTENDANCE (USE IUP.EDU/COST FOR AN ESTIMATE) MEALHOUSING:FEES:TUITION:PLAN:IUPMERIT OPTIONSSTUDENTTOTAL:EXTERNALSCHOLARSHIPS:SCHOLARSHIPS:EMPLOYMENTTOLOOKINTO: (REDUCED 20% FOR PA STUDENTS BEGINNING FALL 2022) (FROZEN FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS) (FROZEN FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS)
every October 1 for the following year. The sooner you complete it, the better. Visit StudentAid.gov for help and to complete the FAFSA.
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Since the FAFSA is based on income from a prior year, talk to the Financial Aid Office if your financial circumstances are worse in comparison to the year you are indicating on the FAFSA.
LOANS
FEDERAL WORK-STUDY
GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
IUP’S FAFSA CODE IS 003277.
FINANCIAL AID BASICS
You don’t have to pay them back.
You have to pay them back with interest. They can be subsidized (interest doesn’t start until after graduation) or unsubsidized (interest starts during enrollment).
No matter what your financial circumstances are and even if you don’t think you qualify, you should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for grants, loans, and federal Thework-study.FAFSAopens
After you complete the FAFSA, check with your state grant agency. For Pennsylvania residents, it’s the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency—you can find it at PHEAA.org. Watch for any deadlines for your state.
Work on campus, and get a paycheck to help with college costs.
LIVING ON CAMPUS
MILITARYCONSIDERATION:SERVICE
Because we have many room options and meal plans, the cost of living on campus varies, so be sure to check the cost estimator at IUP.edu/cost. Living on campus has been connected with a higher average GPA. In our residence halls, you are in the center of campus life, conveniently close to your classes, dining options, and activities.
If you’re an active member of the military or you’re a veteran, our Military and Veterans Resource Center will help you access and make the most of your benefits—and help you connect with others who have served. Learn more at IUP.edu/MVRC
ROTC is considered a college elective. Students are not joining the Army by enrolling. Students who apply and are chosen to receive contracts will become commissioned officers in the Army upon successful completion of the ROTC course requirements and will receive the financial benefits their service awards. Learn more at IUP.edu/ROTC
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Whether you’re a first-year or transfer student, you will automatically be considered for IUP scholarships when you apply to IUP. Apply early for maximum scholarship consideration. SAT scores are optional for your application and are not required for merit scholarships.
The Promising Scholars Program is just one example of our commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive campus. It’s reserved for Pennsylvania residents with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who successfully complete an interview. It includes an annual scholarship that ranges from $2,000 to full tuition.
PROMISING SCHOLARS PROGRAM
IUP has an array of scholarships funded by our alumni and friends to support students—and many of them are renewable all four years. The following are some of our larger scholarship programs:
Students who enroll in IUP’s Cook Honors College earn a fouryear, renewable scholarship in addition to their admissions scholarships. They also have access to an achievement fund that helps them cover expenses associated with studying away (abroad or in the US), internships, and more. Learn more about the Cook Honors College at IUP.edu/honors. You can apply to the CHC after you apply to IUP.
COOK HONORS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
EMPLOYMENTANDSCHOLARSHIPSSTUDENT
RENEWABLE MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT
Corporations and organizations across the US award scholarships. You can find a list of outside scholarships at IUP.edu/ExternalScholarships. We also recommend Fastweb.com as a source of legitimate scholarship opportunities.
Some students manage their time well and like having a job to earn extra money. If that’s you, you’ll find options for employment on and off campus. To make your search easier, IUP lists current student employment openings at IUP.edu/HireAHawk. (If you’re interested, start looking for student employment before your first semester, to make sure the best options aren’t already taken.)
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EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIP OPTIONS
Affordability—An IUP Priority
IUP’s offices of Admissions and Financial Aid want to help you put all the financial pieces together. No question is silly or too basic. In fact, we’ve heard them all. We’ll help you. Just ask!
At IUP, we’re serious about academic quality and proud of our nationally ranked programs, respected faculty, and research credentials. Most of all, we’re proud of our students and their success, and we do our best to back them up with the support they need.
Keep in mind that the long-term return on your investment will be invaluable. IUP has been ranked a top university in the nation by publications like US News and World Report, Princeton Review, and Washington Monthly. Just this year, AcademicInfluence.com ranked us as the third-best public college in Pennsylvania and second for affordability.
We’ll Work with You
Admissions IUP.edu/undergradadmissions-inquiry@iup.edu724-357-2230
Financial Aid IUP.edu/FinancialAidfinancial-aid@iup.edu724-357-2218
That quality pays off. Our graduates live and work in 76 countries and find careers at companies like Disney, the National Stock Exchange, Google, Amazon, and PNC Bank. Graduates from the Class of 2021 who responded to our survey earn an average starting salary of more than $50,000, and 88% of them are employed in a field of their choice.