Financial Plan
5 Steps to Plan Your Financials
Financial planning is an essential component of preparing for college. At Susquehanna University, we’ve broken the process down into five simple steps to help you confidently manage your educational investment.
Step 1: Complete the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- If you have completed the 2025–26 FAFSA, thank you! Move to Step 2.
- If you have not completed the 2025–26 FAFSA, please do so as soon as possible.
- If you do not plan to file the 2025–26 FAFSA, we kindly ask that you reconsider and explore the reasons why you should here.
Step 2: Determine Your Net Cost for the Year/Semester
- Current, returning students, please refer to your most recent 2024–25 financial aid package available in susqu.edu/myaid when planning for next year and utilize the notes provided within the table below. New, incoming students, use your 2025–26 financial aid offer letter.
- 2025–26 financial aid offer letters for current, returning students will be sent in early June 2025 (after spring grades) to students with completed financial aid applications (2025–26 FAFSA is completed with no outstanding eligibility requirements).
- The first student account e-statement for the 2025–26 academic year will be emailed to all enrolled students the week of July 7, 2025.
- We kindly ask that payment arrangements for the 2025–26 academic year be in place by Aug. 1, 2025.
Costs / Aid |
Total |
Fall 25 |
Spring 26 |
|
Tuition, fees, room (double) & default dining plan (if not an approved commuter) *Please note this represents standard direct costs. It does not reflect any indirect costs incurred nor does it reflect variable pricing for single rooms, commuter meal plans, etc. |
$79,000 |
$39,500 |
$39,500 |
Subtract Susquehanna aid (scholarship/grant) |
$ |
$0 |
$0 |
Subtract Federal & State Grants (as applicable) |
$ |
$0 |
$0 |
Subtract Outside Scholarships or other Aid |
$ |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Subtract gross amount Federal Student Loans for dependent students. Year 1: $5,500 (No more than $3,500 subsidized.) Year 2: $6,500 (No more than $4,500 subsidized.) Year 3/4: $7,500 per year (No more than $5,500 subsidized.) |
$ |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Remaining Costs to Attend; move to Step 3 if balance is greater than $0 |
$79,000 |
$39,500 |
$39,500 |
Step 3: Payment Plan Amount; if balance is greater than $0, move to Step 4 |
$ |
$0 |
$0 |
Step 4a: Direct PLUS Loan Amount; if balance is greater than $0, move to Step 5 |
$ |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Step 4b: Actual PLUS Loan Amount to Request; if balance remains, move to Step 5 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
Step 5: Private Student Loans; if balance remains after private student loans, please determine out-of-pocket payment or revisit Step 3 for payment plan option. |
$ |
$0 |
$0 |
Remaining Payment Due or Final Balance: |
$79,000 |
$39,500 |
$39,500 |
*Please note this tool should be used to estimate your costs for the upcoming year, as it reflects standard costs for room and meals. Please visit www.susqu.campusdish.com for additional dining choices/costs and the Tuition and Fees website under the “Special Fees” tab for single room, etc pricing.
Step 3: Review Payment Plan Options for Remaining Balance or a Portion of the Balance
- Utilizing a monthly payment plan is optional but recommended as it’s a good way to minimize student loan debt, especially when you can spread those payments over several months (6, 5, 4 or 3 months).
- Pro Tip: Determine an amount you can pay monthly and utilize a payment plan. This will decrease the amount you may consider borrowing through a parent or private student/parent loan.
- Please visit https://mycollegepaymentplan.com/susquehanna/ for more information. The plan’s only cost is an enrollment fee of $50 each semester.
- Students & their authorized users can set up a payment plan by following these steps:
- Go to myNest and select ‘My AID & STUDENT ACCOUNT.’
- Click ‘My Payment & Billing.’
- Click ‘Proceed to Processor.’
- Click ‘Set Up a Payment Plan.’
- Set up an Authorized User Account for Parents/Supporters (where applicable). After logging into Campus Commerce:
- Click on ‘My Profile.’
- Manage Payers, click the ‘ADD’ button.
- Complete the form and click ‘Save.’
- Authorized User will receive an email with instructions on finalizing their account setup.
Step 4: Consider a Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Parents
The federal government offers a loan program for parents of dependent students to borrow for educational expenses. Through this program, a biological or adoptive parent or stepparent may borrow up to the cost for the year less other financial aid the student has received. The PLUS Loan offers a fixed interest rate and tax-deductibility of interest at most income levels.
The Direct Parent PLUS Loan interest rate for the 2024-25 academic year is 9.08%. The 2025-26 interest rates will be available no later than July 2025. The U.S. Department of Education charges a 4.228% origination fee. For example, if you wish to borrow $10,000, please note that 4.228% will be withheld from the loan by the U.S. Department of Education. To determine the actual amount of the loan to borrow, including the fee, divide the amount you need to cover your costs for the year by 0.95772. Remember that “max” loan requests are not accepted. Please specify an amount for your loan.
How can I secure a 2025–2026 Direct Parent PLUS Loan?
- First-time Susquehanna University borrowers can secure loans by visiting studentaid.gov. Enter your information, request a loan amount and initiate a credit check. You will also be required to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). NOTE: Your process will not be complete until both the application and MPN are submitted. Step-by-step directions are available here. A parent will be instructed to complete PLUS Credit Counseling if credit is denied, and subsequently, the decision is appealed or an endorser is added.
Step 5: Private Student Loan Options for Higher Education
Private loans are an option for families who need to borrow for education expenses. Susquehanna recommends that you exhaust federal borrowing options first. However, for families who wish to consider alternative, private loans, please visit our website for current information. Susquehanna strongly recommends you compare private loans with federal loan options before making a financing decision.
Student Financial Services’ Essential Tips For Your Investment
1. Monitor Your Student Account
Billing at Susquehanna is done electronically through our Student Account Portal. Fall bills will be available in myNest’s Student Account Portal by the week of July 7, 2025. You and your authorized user(s) will receive an e-statement notification via your Susquehanna email and the authorized user’s email on file, highlighting the availability of the fall 2025 statement. We kindly ask that payment arrangements for the 2025–26 academic year be in place by Aug. 1, 2025.
2. Protect Your Investment with Tuition Insurance
Because life happens, please consider tuition protection insurance through Allianz’s Grad Guard Tuition Insurance. Susquehanna’s withdrawal and tuition adjustment policy and tuition insurance details can be found here.
Depending on the coverage purchased, the optional insurance provides coverage up to 100% of any funds paid by you for tuition, room, meal plan, health fee and student activity fee for the semester that the student is unable to complete due to medical reasons. Students and families will also have an opportunity to review the withdrawal and tuition adjustment policy and purchase insurance when entering the student account portal.
3. Monitor Your Federal Loan Borrowing
Stay informed about your federal loans at studentaid.gov. We encourage students and families to track their student loans by using the U.S. Department of Education’s “Manage Loans” website. Students will need to use their FSA ID and password (same as their FAFSA) to log in to the site to review their Aid Summary.