If you’re already enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania and counting on financial aid to keep your Ivy League journey on track, this is a must-read alert. Penn has officially opened the financial aid application process for the 2026–27 academic year, and there’s a firm deadline on the calendar for continuing undergraduate students. Missing it could mean leaving crucial grant funding on the table—so now is the time to act.
What Support Is on the Table: Grants That Don’t Need Repayment
Penn’s financial aid system is designed to remove financial barriers, not add debt. Aid is entirely need-based and focused on grants and scholarships that never need to be repaid.
Eligible students may receive support through:
- Penn Grant – the core need-based institutional grant supporting undergraduates for up to eight academic semesters
- Named Scholarships funded by Penn alumni and donors, matched to students based on need and background criteria
- Federal Pell Grant and Federal SEOG, awarded based on FAFSA-determined financial need
- State Grants, including Pennsylvania grants through PHEAA and eligible grants from other U.S. states
- Mayor’s Scholarship, specifically for eligible Philadelphia-area students
- Chafee Education and Training Grant for qualifying students transitioning from foster care
- Graduate and Professional School Grants, offered directly by Penn’s individual schools
- TEACH Grant for eligible education-focused graduate programs with a service commitment
Together, these funding sources ensure Penn meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for undergraduate students—without merit-based or athletic scholarships.
Who Can Apply: Understanding Eligibility Requirements
This funding is designed for students who genuinely need financial support, and eligibility is determined through a transparent process.
You may qualify if you:
- Are a continuing undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania
- Demonstrate financial need through required financial documents
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Are not in default on federal student loans or owing federal grant refunds
- Submit required aid forms on time, including FAFSA and institutional documents
International students should note that federal funding is generally not available, but institutional Penn aid may still apply depending on individual circumstances.
Apply: https://srfs.upenn.edu/financial-aid/grants-and-scholarships
Deadline You Cannot Miss!
For continuing undergraduate students at the University of Pennsylvania, the deadline to submit financial aid applications and all required documentation for the 2026–27 academic year is January 15, 2026.