What to do:
- Subtract the additional aid from your offer to estimate your updated costs.
- Contact us for help understanding your revised total.
Need assistance? We're here to help!
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Paying for College at Millersville
Navigating financial aid for the first time? We’ve got you covered!
Understanding how to pay for college can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help. This guide breaks down each step—what to do before applying, while choosing your school, and after you officially become a part of the Millersville family.
Follow this simple roadmap to make sure you don’t miss out on important financial aid opportunities!
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Step 1: Applying to College & Financial Aid
When you are applying to college, the first few steps in your financial aid journey are all about applications! Use the guide below to navigate seamlessly through the process.
Determine who needs to be listed on your financial aid applications:
Anyone who is required to provide information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is known as a Contributor.
✔️ Contributors:
- the student
- the student's spouse
- a biological or adopted parent
- the parent's spouse (stepparent).
❌ NOT a Contributor:
- Grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, siblings, aunts/uncles, friends—even if they helped provide for or raise the student.
💡 Need help figuring out your Contributors? Click here and check out STEP 1: IDENTIFY CONTRIBUTORS.
Create your Federal Student Aid Account
The FSA Account consists of an FSA ID and password combination you use to log in to U.S. Department of Education (ED) online systems.
Your FSA ID is your key to financial aid and acts as your electronic signature. You’ll need it to complete the FAFSA and other federal student aid documents.
- The FSA ID is your legal signature and shouldn't be created or used by anyone other than you—not even your parent, your child, a school official, or a loan company representative.
Who needs one? You need one. AND every Contributor on your FAFSA needs one.
How to create an FSA ID:
- Visit studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account
- Use your personal email (not school or work emails) and phone number.
- Keep your login details safe—don’t share them!
⏳ If you don’t want your financial aid to be delayed, it’s extremely important that each contributor create their own FSA ID and that they do not share it with anyone, even each other.
💡 Want more information or instructional videos to help guide you? Click here and check out STEP 2: CREATE FSA ACCOUNTS.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA opens doors to grants, loans, and work-study programs—money that can help you afford college. Even if you think you won’t qualify, apply anyway!
- Every student is eligible to receive federal student loans, some of which are subsidized (interest-free) while you are in school.
The FAFSA is scheduled to open every October. Set a reminder every year to complete your FAFSA if you want to be considered for federal and state aid programs such as grants and loans.
- 2025-2026 FAFSA Available Now (For enrollment May '25 through May '26)
Are you a current Spring 2025 transfer student?
Make sure you complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA or update your application to include Millersville (School Code: 003325).
Key FAFSA Deadlines:- March 15 – Recommended deadline
- May 1– Deadline for Pennsylvania residents to be considered for the PA State Grant.
PA residents don't forget to complete your Grant Application and High School Form at pheaa.org. They'll contact you when it's available.
- At Milersville, we will estimate a PA Grant using PHEAA's eligibility calculator.
- However, funds are only sent to the first school listed on your FAFSA.
- Once you decide where you are attending, make sure your school choice is correct with PHEAA.
Make sure we're listed on the School Choice section of your FAFSA. We can't send you a financial aid offer without it!
Pennsylvania Residents:At Milersville, we will estimate a PA Grant using PHEAA's eligibility calculator. If you see one listed on your aid offer, make sure to look out for communication from no-reply@pheaa.org notifying you when you can log into your account.
- First-time students between May 2025 and May 2026 must create an Account for PHEAA through American Education Services.
- From there, they will need to finalize their application and complete a High School Form.
💡 PA Grant funds may appear on multiple aid offers, but they will only send funds to the first school listed on your FAFSA. Once you decide where you are attending, make sure your school choice is correct with PHEAA.
Search for Scholarships
Internal Millersville Scholarships:
When you apply to MU, you're automatically considered for merit-based scholarships! No separate application needed.
- The Admissions Office selects recipients based on specific criteria and selects the highest-qualified students.
- Want more info on Admissions Scholarships? Click here.
External Scholarships:
These can come from many different sources like search databases, employers, your high school, as well as local organizations like churches or the VFW.
- Start searching early, and never pay for scholarship searches—legitimate ones are free.
- Check out more info on external scholarships: Click HERE.
Have you confirmed with Millersville?
You now have access to Scholarship Universe—Millersville's scholarship search database—where you can search thousands of properly vetted external scholarships and, after your first fall semester, apply for other internal MU scholarships.
- Just answer questions and be paired to specific scholarships to apply for!
- Learn more about Scholarship Universe—Millersville's Search Database! Click HERE.
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Step 2: Comparing Schools & Financial Aid Offers
Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer
Once you submit the FAFSA, you'll start receiving Financial Aid Offer Letters from the colleges you listed. These letters tell you:
- How much financial aid you qualify for
- Your estimated out-of-pocket cost
💡 Key Terms to Know:
- Cost of Attendance (COA): This includes tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, books, and personal expenses. It is not the amount you will pay!
- Direct Costs: What you pay the university (tuition, fees, housing, meal plans).
- Indirect Costs: Expenses you may have (books, travel, supplies).
- Net Cost: Direct costs minus financial aid = what you actually pay.
How to Compare Schools:
Look at each school’s net cost, not just its total price or Cost of Attendance (COA). 🚫 The COA is not what you pay! Consider scholarships, grants, and loan options. 🟰 Your offered federal and state aid should be similar between schools. Look closely at the bottom line. 🔍 A school might offer you more scholarships, but if the overall net cost is higher, you could end up paying or financing more in the long run! 🔗 Watch this video on understanding your financial aid offer from Millersville!
💡 Tip: Pennsylvania Residents must complete the FAFSA before May 1 to be considered for the PA State Grant.
Wondering when you will receive your aid offer?
New incoming students generally begin to receive Financial Aid Offers in mid-February. Remember—schools can only send you an aid offer if they have your FAFSA on file!
Expecting Additional Aid After Receiving Your Offer?
Your initial electronic Financial Aid Offer is a snapshot in time and reflects the aid you were eligible for at the moment it was generated.
Understanding Your Cost of Attendance (COA) vs. Your Bill
Families often find the Cost of Attendance (COA) confusing because it includes both direct and indirect costs. Your actual bill will only include direct costs.
What's included in your costs?
Direct Costs (Billed by the University):
- Tuition & fees
- Housing & meal plan (if living on campus)
- Books & supplies
- Transportation
- Personal & miscellaneous expenses
How to Estimate Your Total Cost After Aid
Each school’s financial aid offer, cost of attendance, and direct charges may look a little different.
For Other Schools:
- To estimate your out-of-pocket cost, subtract your offered financial aid from your direct charges listed in their financial aid offer.
For Millersville University:
- Your Financial Aid Offer will only include your direct charges and will already calculate your estimated cost after aid.
Important Considerations:
Your estimated charges are based on your enrollment, residency status, and housing plans.
- If any of these details look incorrect on your offer letter, contact the Office of Financial Aid to update your account.
💡Tip: If you need extra funds for indirect expenses (books, supplies, transportation), you can account for them in your financial plan.
- COA allows students to borrow for educational expenses beyond direct charges.
- You can explore additional financing options, such as the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan or Alternative Private Student and Parent Loans.
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Step 3: Make a Down Payment toward your future & commit to MU
Committing to Millersville University means securing your spot and taking the next step toward your future. Here’s everything you need to know about confirming your enrollment and paying your confirmation fee.
Why Should I Commit to Millersville?
Millersville offers:
- Affordable, high-quality education with financial aid opportunities
- Small class sizes & personalized support from dedicated faculty and staff
- A vibrant campus life with 150+ clubs, organizations, and leadership opportunities
- Strong career connections & internship programs to help you launch your future
How Do I Confirm My Enrollment?
- Log into your mySpyglass Portal
- Accept your offer of admission
- Make a down payment toward your education (this secures your spot!)
📅 Deadlines vary—check your admission letter for your specific date!
How Much do I pay to secure my spot?
- $150 for commuter students
- $350 for students living on campus
Making a down payment toward your education ensures that Millersville reserves a place for you in the incoming class and helps us prepare for your arrival!
Note: For students living on campus, $200 of your down payment is put toward housing and applied to your spring bill (reducing your charges for that semester).
What Happens After I Confirm?
Once you’ve committed to Millersville, you’ll get access to:
- Financial aid finalization & real-time updates in your myVILLE Student Portal
- Housing selection & roommate matching (if living on campus!)
- Class registration & orientation details
- Billing & payment
How Do I Pay My Confirmation Fee?
- Online: Pay through your Admissions MySpyglass Portal
Secure Your Spot at Millersville Today!
We can’t wait to welcome you to Millersville! If you have questions, reach out to:
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Step 4: Setting Up Third-Party Authorizations
At Millersville, each office has its own third-party authorization process. If you want someone (like a parent or guardian, partner or friend) to discuss your financial aid, billing, or academic records, you must complete separate authorization forms for each office.
What is a Third-Party Authorization?
A third-party authorization allows a designated person to access certain information about your financial aid, billing, or student records. Without it, the university cannot share your details—even with parents or family members.
next steps
Check out the Types of Authorizations below & how to complete them! Questions, contact the applicable office.
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Step 5: Finalizing Your Financial Aid at Millersville
Congrats—you are officially part of the MU family!
Now it is time to finalize your financial aid so it can be applied to your bill. This means completing outstanding tasks, submitting required documents, and making sure everything is in place before the semester starts.
💡 TIP: Some requirements apply to every student, while others are based on the FAFSA and apply to some students.
Check and complete your unsatisfied Requirements:
All students must complete steps to ensure their aid is processed, finalized, and credited to their account.
⚠️ Unsatisfied Requirements are accessible through the Finances tab in myVILLE, but myVILLE might only reflect a snapshot of your information. For important details about your aid and unsatisfied requirements, you need to access MAX.
Check out different types of requirements below:
Standard Requirements: Required for all students
- Authorization to Release forms (won't delay aid processing)
- Terms & Conditions (must be completed every year before aid can be applied to your bill)
- Taking Action on your Aid Offer (must be completed every year before aid can be applied to your bill)
Other Critical Requirements: Some items must be completed before your aid can be finalized and applied to your bill. In some instances this information will need to be competed before we can send a Financial Aid Offer.
- Additional Documentation: Household or tax information needed for verification of FAFSA
- Proof of Documentation: Verification of your date of birth, social security number, citizenship, etc.
- Loan Agreement Documentation: Federal loan borrowers must have valid Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) completed before aid can be applied to your bill)
show to check requirements, complete tasks, and submit documents:
✔️ Go to your myVILLE Student Portal (Requires login) > Financial Aid Requirements > View Requirements in MAX.
✔️ Submit to the Office of Financial Aid (OFA).
✔️Scroll down on your Financial Aid Homepage to see a list of Unsatisfied Requirements and follow instructions for each required task.Do you have unsatisfied requirements? Depending on the type of document, there are different ways you may be asked to complete or submit the information:
📧 Sent directly to the Office of Financial Aid.
🏦 In person at the financial aid office.📥Secure upload in the Student Forms portal
🌐External websites such as Federal Student Aid, PHEAA's GrantUs portal, veteran websites, etc.
TAKE ACTION ON YOUR FINANCIAL AID OFFER
Financial aid does not automatically apply—you must accept any offered aid before it can be credited to your account and bill.
⚙️ How to Accept Your Aid:
- Log into myVILLE Student Portal
- Go to Finances > Financial Aid Awards
- You'll be redirected to MAX where you can click on the OfferTab
- Review and accept or decline your offered aid
✅ Types of Aid You Need to Accept or Take Action on:
- Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized & Unsubsidized)
❌ Types of Aid You DO NOT Need to Accept or take action on:
- PLUS Loans and Private Loans: These are automatically accepted based on the credit application received; however, additional requirements may be required from the lender.
- Grants & Scholarships: These are automatically accepted and applied to your account.
💡 If you do not intend to use the offered aid, make sure you decline it so it does nor remain offered on your account.
Complete the terms & conditions of your aid offer
Students are required to read and accept the Terms & Conditions of their aid offer every year. They apply to all types of financial aid—grants, loans, scholarships, etc. They must be completed before students can move on to certain tasks and to ensure their aid is paid.
⚙️ How to Complete Terms & Conditions:
- After you have taken action on your student loans under the Offer tab in your MAX account, you will be presented with the “Terms & Conditions” of your aid.
- Read carefully, then sign and submit.
💡If you have already taken action on your offered loans, you should have already been presented with your Terms & Conditions—simply click the button to confirm your awards.
Complete Loan Requirements (If Borrowing Loans)
If you accepted federal student loans, there are additional steps to complete before the loans can credit to your bill and pay to your account. Complete the following if you are a first-time Direct Loan borrower.
Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note - MPN): Your electronic agreement to borrow and repay the loan.
Go to: studentaid.gov/mpn
- Select the option for Undergraduate Students
- Complete your MPN, sign, and submit
Loan Entrance Counseling: Explains your rights and responsibilities as a borrower.
Go to: Complete online at studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling
- Select the option for Undergraduate Students
- Complete the form and submit
Parent PLUS Loan Borrowers: A federal loan in the parents' name, that requires a separate application on studentaid.gov
✔️ If approved, complete a loan agreement, or Master Promissory Note (MPN): studentaid.gov/mpn/parentplus
⛔️ Parents initially denied but since added an endorser or appealed their inital credit decision—every year, will need to complete:
- Master Promissory Note (MPN):studentaid.gov/mpn/parentplus
- PLUS Loan Credit Counseling at studentaid.gov/plus-loan-credit-counseling
Submit Additional Documentation (If Required)
Some students may need to submit additional documents before their aid can be finalized. This means your awards are subject to change until the information has been received and reviewed.
⚠️ If you committed to MU before completing FAFSA, these types of requirements could prevent us from sending you an aid offer until completed.
Common Reasons for Additional Documentation:
Verification: The school is required to collect documentation and review certain items, such as:
- Household, tax, or income review: The Department of Education has selected your account for a review by the school and items on your FAFSA application need to be verified.
- Dependency Status: You did not, or, were unable to provide parental data on the FAFSA and are considered provisionally independent until further documentation is received.
- Proof of Identity: We need proof of personally identifiable information, such as your social security number, citizenship status, date of birth, and/or legal name.
- Proof of Veteran Status: You indicated on the FAFSA that you are a veteran or currentl serving active duty. Since you are under the age of 24 we ahve to verify your veteran status because it is the only reason you are being considered independent on the FAFSA
Special Circumstances: You can request an internal review of your special circumstances. Special circumstances typically are due to a significant change in income.
💡If you have requested this review, it will not hold up any financial aid.
Next Steps: Finalize Your Aid Today!
Check your myVILLE Student Portal (Requires login) for unsatisfied financial aid requirements and tasks:
✅ Submit any required documents—failing to comply will delay the processing of your aid
✅ Accept your financial aid offer—take action even if you aren't borrowing loans
✅ Complete loan requirements—if you are a first-time borrower
✅ Check for additonal tasks in your requirements—some are added after you taking action on your aid offer, or are triggered by the completion of another task
✅ Plan for any remaining costs—check out additional financing and payment options
💡 Don't forget—you won't have access to myVILLE until you have committed to MU.
Need help?
Contact the Office of Financial Aid at:
🎉 Congrats—You’re one step closer to starting your journey at Millersville University! 🎉
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Step 6: PLAN FOR REMAINING COSTS & PAYMENT OPTIONS
Plan for Your Bill
Your tuition bill is due at the start of each semester. Use your Financial Aid Offer Letter to estimate what you’ll owe after aid is applied. If your financial aid doesn't fully cover your bill, you need to plan for additional payment options before the due date.
Ways to Cover Your Remaining Balance:
- Installment Plans – Spread out tuition payments over several months; available in April—sign up early to maximize your number of payments
- Parent PLUS Loans – Federal loan in a parent’s name to cover costs; if denied studen will receive additonal funding in their unsubsidized loan
- Private Student Loans – Bank or credit union loans (may require a co-signer—this can be anyone)
- 529 College Savings Plans – Funds from a qualified education savings account
Ensure Your Aid Gets Applied to Your Bill
The Office of Student Accounts (OSA) will apply anticipated financial aid as a credit on your bill. Your financial aid will pay to your account after the add/drop period for the semester.
Check Your Bill & Aid Application Status:
- Log into Student Account Manager (SAM)
- Click On Demand Statement to see estimated aid vs. charges
- If aid is missing, check for outstanding financial aid requirements
If Your Aid Isn't Applied:
- Check your myVILLE Student Portal for missing requirements
- If everything is complete but aid is not showing, contact Office of Financial Aid at fa.mail@millersville.edu
Pay Any Remaining Balances
Make a Payment or Set Up a Payment Plan (if still available)
- Visit OSA Payment Options
- Sign up for a payment plan in SAM
Avoid Late Fees! If your bill is unpaid by the due date, a $100 payment extension fee will apply, and a hold may be placed on your account.
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Step 7: PAYING YOUR BILL & RECEIVING FINANCIAL AID
How Financial Aid Actually Pays to Your Account
📅 When do I get my bill?
- Fall semester bills: Mid-July
- Spring semester bills: Mid-November
💸 How does financial aid get applied to my bill?
- Grants, scholarships, and loans go directly toward your charges.
- Work-study funds are paid directly to you via paycheck once you obtain a campus job or community service placement.
- Aid disburses (pays out) after the add/drop period each semester.
📌 Expecting a refund?
- If you have more aid than your bill, you’ll get a refund.
- Sign up for Direct Deposit in your Student Account Manager (SAM) for faster refunds!
💡 TIP: If you don’t need all your loans, reduce what you borrow to save money on interest! Contact our office and submit a Loan Request Change form to lower your loan amount.
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Have Questions ?
If you have questions or need assistance with the financial aid process, we are here to help!
CALL USA financial aid representative is available to speak with you (717-871-5100) Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
EMAIL US
A financial aid representative monitors our email account (fa.mail@millersville.edu) Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm.
SCHEDULE NOW
We currently offer 1-hour appointments Monday-Friday either in person, online via Zoom, or by phone. Schedule to meet with a counselor to discuss any questions you may have!
Have something to drop off or a general question? Our Front Office Staff can assist you Monday-Friday between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. We are located on the 2nd floor of Lyle Hall.