Temple University cherry "T" logo

Student Financial Services

Search Keywords

First-year Undergraduate

Eligible students may start with steps below to apply for federal student aid. Student aid eligibility will help inform state and institutional aid funding options. International Affairs can assist international students with funding resources. Temple's priority deadline for undergraduate students is February 1.

Temple University’s FAFSA code is 003371.

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Authority (PHEAA) put together a helpful guide for understanding the financial aid process. It is also available in Spanish.

Step 1: Create a federal student aid (FSA) ID

Steps to apply for FSA ID.

  1. Visit studentaid.gov to create your account.
  2. Students will create an FSA ID (if they have not already done so) to electronically sign and submit the FAFSA.
  3. If you are a dependent student, your parent will also need their own FSA ID.
  4. Keep your FSA ID in a secure spot you can access, as you will need this FSA ID for future years and additional uses.
Step 2: Submit your FAFSA

Students can submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming academic year to Temple University using school code 003371.

  • The FAFSA will collect the personal and financial information to determine financial need.
  • Federal, state and institutional funding is based on FAFSA information.
  • Certain types of aid require the student to be enrolled in a degree-granting program.
Step 3: Monitor TUportal

After completing your FAFSA, Student Financial Services will receive the application for processing.

  1. To monitor the progress, sign into TUportal.
  2. Click on the the Costs and Aid tab.
  3. You can review financial aid requirements within the SFS channel on the Costs and Aid tab.
  4. If additional information is needed, click on the notifications to access the requirements.
  5. Access your financial aid offer on the SFS channel by clicking on “View my financial aid offer.”

Your financial aid offer will be an estimate until all financial aid requirements are complete. Some requirements prevent students from receiving a financial aid offer, or the financial aid offer may change once required documentation has been processed.

Step 4: Submit your financial aid offer decisions

Once a financial aid offer is available, deposited and currently enrolled students can submit a decision in TUportal.

  1. Sign in to TUportal.
  2. Click on the Costs and Aid tab.
  3. Click on Financial Aid Package.
  4. Follow the prompts to review the financial aid information.
  5. In the Accept Award tab, submit your decision to accept or decline federal student loans and/or federal work-study grant funding offered to them. Scholarships and grants are automatically accepted and require no further actions on TUportal.
Step 5: Apply for any additional loan (optional)

Students who need additional funds to cover their education-related expenses may need to apply for additional loans. 

  • PLUS loan: Parents of dependent undergraduate students have the option to apply for a federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). 
  • Private loan: Undergraduate students can apply for additional loan funding from private lenders. 
Step 6: Complete any loan requirements

First-time borrowers

First-time borrowers at Temple University will need to complete a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling requirements through studentaid.gov for their federal student loans.

PLUS Loans

Parents who are borrowing a PLUS loan will need to complete a Master Promissory Note. If a parent has applied for the PLUS loan with an endorser, or had to appeal their credit check decision for approval, the parent will also have to complete PLUS credit counseling at studentaid.gov.

Private Loans

If you are borrowing a private loan funding should monitor information from your lender to ensure you have completed any necessary requirements, such as accepting the terms and conditions. Late submission of requirements can affect your eligibility.

Step 7: Set up direct deposit

Students who have a credit balance on their account may receive the credit as a refund when their financial aid is disbursed. The fastest way to receive a credit balance is through direct deposit.

  1. Sign in to TUportal.
  2. Click on the Costs and Aid tab.
  3. Click on TUpay.
  4. Click on the Manage My Refunds tab to add your bank account information. 

What else should I know about applying for financial aid?

 

Cost of Attendance

Use Temple University’s tuition calculator to estimate your cost of attendance. Tuition rates for the upcoming academic year will be finalized in mid-July. 

Scholarships

Students accepted to Temple University can search for additional scholarship opportunities through ScholarshipUniverse as soon as they are admitted to Temple University.

  1. Sign in to TUportal.
  2. Click on the Costs and Aid tab.
  3. Click on the Apply for Scholarships link.

Students can also check with their academic college or department for additional scholarship opportunities.

Maintain Eligibility

How do I continue to receive financial aid each year?

  • Students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each academic year by the Temple University priority deadline to continue to be considered for financial aid eligibility. 
    • The FAFSA is expected to open for submission in the fall.
    • The priority deadline for Temple University is Feb. 1.  
  • Students must maintain good academic standing and meet satisfactory academic progress standards to remain eligible for financial aid.
  • Students must complete any outstanding requirements.

Financial Aid Disbursement and Refunds

Financial aid for the semester will begin to disburse approximately two business days prior to the official start of the semester. 

  • All financial aid and enrollment requirements must be met for financial aid to disburse. 
  • Students enrolled in less than full-time status may see a delay in PLUS loan or private loan disbursement.
  • Changes to enrollment status (full time, part time, etc.) after your financial aid disburses can result in adjustments to your financial aid. This may result in returning funds back to Temple University.
  • Contact a Student Financial Services counselor to discuss the impact a change in enrollment status may have on your financial aid eligibility.