Funding Your Cheyney University Education

Paying for college starts with understanding your options—and every student should apply for financial aid, regardless of income. Many students are surprised to find they qualify for grants, scholarships, or work study that make college more affordable.

At Cheyney University, our goal is to ensure every student and family understands the financial aid process, meets important deadlines, and feels confident navigating each step toward funding their education.

What to Expect

Applying for financial aid at Cheyney University is a straightforward process designed to help you access the support you need. Here’s what to expect along the way:

Applying for Financial Aid

Every student should apply for financial aid. To do so, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). And when you do, it is important to select Cheyney University (School Code: 003317) to submit your information to Cheyney. You can complete the FAFSA as early as October 1 for the upcoming academic year.

Follow these steps to begin the aid application process: 

• Apply for Federal Aid – DEADLINE APRIL 1st for Returning Student and DEADLINE JUNE 1st for New Students 
• If this is the first time that you are applying for financial aid for college, you will need to create an FSA ID for both student, biological, or adoptive  parent/contributor at  https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account. Then select “Get Started”. Please maintain your FSA ID in a safe place. You will need it each year which you apply for financial aid for college. 
• File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. 
• List Cheyney University, Federal Code 003317.   
• Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to list Cheyney University as the first school, as it pertains to Pennsylvania State Grant Eligibility.  
• While completing the FAFSA, consent is required to retrieve tax income data.  This could include both yours and your parents, if applicable. 
• Apply for State Aid – DEADLINE MAY 1st 
• If you are a Pennsylvania resident, refer to the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) site for details on eligibility and criteria for applying for state scholarships. https://www.pheaa.org/grants/state-grant-program/apply-renew  
• When completing your FAFSA, be sure to list Cheyney University first, to ensure receipt of state funding. 
• If you are a resident of another state, please refer to your State’s Financial Aid Agency for instructions on applying for their state grant and transferability of funds to Cheyney University. 
• Review your Financial Aid Award Letter. Please note that first time students receive a copy mailed to their home address. 
• View additional outstanding requirements on your CU Experience portal, visit www.portal.cheyney.edu for items that might need to be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Services to finalize your financial aid award. 

Important Dates to Remember

Here are some other useful links and forms with regards to applying for financial aid: