Resources for Future Pacer Parents

Whether you’re sending your first child to college or your last, the emotions can be the same. That’s why we’re here to help parents and students every step of the way. 

The entire Marywood community feels the same sense of pride and responsibility that you do in watching your student enter this next chapter. We are here to ease your concerns by providing a safe, enriching, and exciting place for your student to learn, grow, and become the person you’ve always imagined. 

As you and your student narrow down this important choice, take into consideration what you are looking for in academic programs, campus size, location, culture, values, and outcomes. We have found that once you identify what matters most, your answers will become clearer, and the right decision feels easier. 

Sending your student to college is an emotional step for many parents. Just know that, at Marywood, this is your home as much as theirs, and we cannot wait to see you on campus.

This is a Big Step

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, we are 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 and other resources that can help get you started.

Future Pacer Parents' Guide

Is your son or daughter considering college? If so, the process brings a range of emotions (worry, joy, confusion, hope); but the process doesn't have to be intimidating. The first step—the college search—can be exciting and less stressful than you think, provided you're organized. Here are some proven tips on how to help your son or daughter get the college search process in order. It's all about choices:

  1. Choice of Major

    What does your son or daughter want to study? Your student may not know the exact answer to this question, and that's ok. But if an area of interest is known, be sure the colleges you're looking at offer that major or a similar subject, along with opportunities for active, in-depth study and experience both inside and outside the classroom.

    Marywood Offers: More than 50 undergraduate majors, all grounded in the liberal arts, and all providing hands-on, professional opportunities.

  2. Choice of Size

    Does your student want a big school with thousands of students, or a smaller, more personal community? It depends on your student's personality. Where will she or he be most comfortable, engaged and successful?

    Marywood Offers: A smaller, more intimate academic community, where your student will engage in close-knit, active classes, and where teachers get to know individual students quickly.

  3. Choice of Location

    Big city? Small town? Or somewhere in between? Does your student want to stay close to home, or perhaps venture farther away? What about access to culture, entertainment, outdoor recreation, and more?

    Marywood Offers: An idyllic 115-acre campus that sits atop a hill in an attractive, safe, residential area. The region is known for outdoor recreation, scenic beauty, and a strong arts and entertainment culture.

  4. Choice of Student Life

    What are your student's extracurricular interests? Do they want to get involved, meet friends, and build a college experience that lasts a lifetime?

    Marywood Offers: A culture of involvement, with more than 60 clubs, a full calendar of activities, 24 varsity sports (including men's volleyball, beginning in Spring 2024), a continuing offering of service projects, and a myriad of other opportunities to get involved, work with others, and ultimately lead.

  5. Choice of Values

    Does your student seek an open, diverse community—one that holds strong to its beliefs but is accepting and respectful of all faiths? Does your daughter or son want to grow and learn in a culture of respect, social acceptance, and global awareness?

    Marywood Offers: An environment steeped in five Core Values: Catholic Identity, Respect, Empowerment, Service, and Commitment to Excellence.

  6. Choice of Cost

    Certainly, a college education is a big investment, and, with it, comes big questions. Is a private education affordable? Is it worth the money? The answers, once again, come down to choice. Private education graduates out perform public and online education graduates in every category. Plus, the lifetime income benefits of a college education are more than double the income of non-graduates. In nearly every case, private education offers financial aid that levels the playing field.

    Marywood Offers: Financial aid to 99% of first-time students. Each year, more than $30 million in institutional aid is awarded to Marywood students. All Marywood applicants are considered for all financial assistance for which the student qualifies.

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.  

How to Fill Out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Form

  • 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.

Learn More About Types of 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.

    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 Note
    All 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 finaid@marywood.edu

    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 Student Accounts Office.

    Admissions Calendar

    The college decision process has a million moving pieces.

    We created this checklist to keep you on track. 

    ✓ Keep the Focus on Senior Year 
    Keep your student’s eye on the prize throughout senior year. Even after they get their university acceptances, students should stay focused on finishing strong. 

    ✓ Get Organized
    Organizing during the decision process is a good way to stay involved and make the process easier. This could look like organizing documents, keeping track of correspondences, and noting important deadlines. 

    ✓ Play a Supporting Role
    Although your student should take the lead in their college experience, your role is vital. Offer encouragement, guidance, and feedback, but let your student make the final decision. 

    ✓ Remember, We’re Here for You
    We’re here for you if you or your student are looking for any assistance. Contact us at any time! 

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