Quinn Parson can empathize with students and families who rely on financial aid. Not only does he depend on it, but he’s also often on the other end of the “Did I miss the FAFSA deadline?” phone calls.
Parson, a senior strategic communication and media major from Slippery Rock (Slippery Rock HS), is a student worker in SRU’s Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.
The frenzy of applications and deadlines is something Parson resonates with deeply, but he says the benefits overshadow the tedious paperwork.
“It removes a lot of the stress associated with college as a whole,” Parson said. “It feels like I can just be here and put everything into my education without worrying as much about the cost.”
Approximately 85% of SRU students receive some type of aid. This may come in the form of scholarships, grants, loans or work-study. Parson is a recipient of a combination of federal, state and institutional aid. Until June 30, 2026, students can file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, for the 2025-26 school year.
At the end of high school, when it was time to commit to a college or university, Parson followed his older brother Shane Parson, ’18, to SRU, having heard about his fulfilling experiences in the safety management program.
“There’s a lot of amazing people here, and you get to have personal relationships with professors,” Parson said. “It’s still an intimate place to learn, and it doesn’t feel like I’ve lived here forever.”
SRU offers one of the most affordable pathways to a college degree in Pennsylvania. Tuition for in-state students is less than $8,000 per year, and total cost of attendance is around $23,000 annually for Pennsylvania undergraduates.
More information about financial aid and scholarship opportunities at SRU can be found on the University’s website.