You've been accepted to Penn State Altoona! Congratulations! But now what?

You probably have a lot of questions—about financial aid, housing, orientation, student services, and more—as you are making your college decision.

We have you covered! Explore the topics below to find answers to our most frequently asked questions.

Accepting My Offer of Admission

Log in to your MyPennState account and follow the steps to accept your offer of admission!
Note: Your enrollment fee of $230 is non-refundable.

Next Steps:

  • Watch for an exclusive email invitation to join a private Facebook group specifically for Penn State Altoona Accepted Students - Class of 2028! Here, you can ask questions about our campus, housing, and student life and keep up to date on deadlines and upcoming events. You can also chat with other future Penn Staters—create friendships, share photos, and find roommates! This is for students only.
  • Consider housing as soon as possible; to learn more, select Housing in the dropdown above.
  • Complete the FAFSA (Penn State's school code is 003329). Select Financial Aid above for more info.

What is the FAFSA, and do I need to complete it?

The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Completing the FAFSA enables you to be considered for financial aid, including Federal Direct Loans and Pell Grants. Penn State uses the FAFSA to determine aid offered by the university, such as grants and scholarships.

Penn State's FAFSA school code is 003329 (for all campuses).

Download the FAFSA Eligibility Guide to learn more

Note that the Department of Education is modifying the FAFSA process during this current application season. We recommend you closely monitor the Federal Student Aid website for updates.

How do I correct or update my FAFSA?

Most of the questions on the FAFSA form want to know your situation as of the day you sign the application. However, there are some instances in which you’ll want to (or be required to) change the information you reported, including:

  • if you made a mistake
  • if you're missing a required signature
  • if you want to add or delete a school code

More info and correction timelines are available on the StudentAid.gov website.

How do I apply for federal loans?

You will automatically be considered for Federal Direct Loans if you submit the FAFSA. The loans will be placed in "offer status" in your Financial Aid offer in LionPATH once awarding begins for the academic year.

Visit the Penn State Student Aid website for complete information on applying for Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans.

How do I apply for the Federal Work-Study award?

  • If you answer that you are interested in work-study on the FAFSA, you will be automatically considered for this award.
  • Work-study funds are limited and will be awarded based on the availability at the time the FAFSA is received.
  • Submitting the FAFSA before the University's recommended deadlines is the best way to ensure maximum aid consideration.

Visit the Penn State Student Aid website for more Work-Study information.

Federal or University-funded Grants

You must complete the FAFSA in order to be eligible for federal and/or University-funded grants.

  • Federal grants include the Pell and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG).
  • The University grant is the Penn State Tuition Assistance Grant (PSTAG).
  • Some federal funds are limited and will be awarded based on availability at the time the FAFSA is received. Submitting the FAFSA before the University's recommended deadlines is the best way to ensure maximum aid consideration.

See the Penn State Student Aid website for more information on grants.

Pennsylvania State Grants

Pennsylvania residents are considered for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Grant by submitting the FAFSA before the PHEAA deadline of May 1 and indicating that they are a Pennsylvania resident.

  • You must also complete the PA State Grant Form.
  • Only Pennsylvania residents will be eligible for a Pennsylvania State Grant consideration.
  • PHEAA reserves the right to request verification of residency from any student, if necessary to determine eligibility.
  • Non-Pennsylvania residents from certain states may receive state grants from their respective states.

Visit the PA State Grant Program website

How can I apply for institutional scholarships?

Students who complete the FAFSA by the recommended filing date receive maximum consideration for all federal and institutional loans, scholarships, and grants.

Why are my outside scholarships not showing in my financial aid?

For questions regarding outside scholarships that have been sent to the campus, or to deposit an outside scholarship, please contact our Bursar’s Office.

I received my financial aid package and need additional funds. What are my options?

Parent Plus Loan

This is a loan taken out by a parent on behalf of the student. This loan is in the parent’s name. Penn State Student Aid maintains more information on Parent Plus Loans.

Private Alternative Loan

This loan can be applied for through a lender of your choice. This loan can be in the student's name, but students typically need a co-signer. See the Penn State Student Aid website for more information on Private Alternative Loans.

Outside Scholarships

You may be eligible for scholarships from businesses or organizations in your local community with which you have some affiliation. In most cases, the awarding agency is responsible for selecting the recipient and determining the value of the scholarship. Penn State Student Aid offers more information on outside scholarships.

Veterans Benefits

If you are a veteran and are using a VA Educational Benefit to pay for tuition, you need to request certification by emailing our Campus Certifying Official at [email protected].

Be sure to include your nine-digit Student ID number and information on the benefit you have received.

If you need to submit your Joint Service Transcript (JST), please see the information on the Admissions Credit for Military Experience website.

More information is available on our Veterans Education Benefits page.

When is aid disbursed to my account?

  • After you have completed the steps to finalize your aid and semester classes begin, your financial aid will be disbursed into your account and credited toward your tuition bill.
  • Pay special attention to your LionPATH account for any Holds and To-Do List items that could prevent the timely disbursement of your aid.

More information on aid disbursement can be found on the Penn State Student Aid website.

Why is my aid not showing on my bill?

Be sure that you have completed all the items listed on your LionPATH To-Do List. These include the following:

Certain types of aid will not be disbursed until these items are complete.

Open verifications will prevent all federal aid from being disbursed.

If you plan to utilize any loans—private or federal—you must accept them. Information about accepting your loans is available on the Student Aid website.

How do I resolve verifications listed on my to-do list on LionPATH?

You will need to open each To-Do List item, print, complete, and upload all requested information. See the Penn State Student Aid website for more detailed instructions about verifications.

Documents should be uploaded using the Penn State Student Aid Document Upload utility.

I accepted my private alternative loan a few days ago. Why hasn’t it been disbursed?

The disbursement of alternative loans will begin at the same time as Federal Direct Loans. With alternative loans, there is a ten-day right of rescission period when disbursements are held for you to change your mind and cancel the loan.

Some helpful tips:

  • Pay special attention to your loan disclosures to determine the actual disbursement date of your alternative loan funds.
  • Apply early to prevent any delays. We cannot move the disbursement date of your loan.

Learn more about the Private Alternative Loans disbursement timeline.

If I have overpaid, when will I receive a refund?

If your student account has any overages after all aid is disbursed and all holds and To-Do List items on LionPATH are satisfied and removed, a refund will be generated.

Penn State recommends that students sign up for eRefund.

On-Campus Housing

If you are an incoming first-year or transfer student who is accepting your offer of admission through MyPennState, you can sign up for on-campus living during that process.

  • Choose "Yes" when housing is offered, pay the $100 deposit, and then agree to the Terms, Conditions, and Regulations of the Housing and Food Services (HFS) contract. Your space will be secured once you complete the offer acceptance process.
  • If you already accepted your offer of admission and did not choose "Yes" for on-campus housing but have now decided you would like to live on campus, log into eLiving and select "Request Housing" under Contracts.
    • If an on-campus housing spot is available, pay the deposit and agree to the Terms, Conditions, and Regulations of the HFS contract. Your space will be secured once you complete the offer acceptance process.
    • If an on-campus spot is currently unavailable, you can add your name to our Waitlist. If and when space is available, you'll receive an HFS Contract offer via eLiving within one to two business days.
  • You may also explore off-campus housing listings.

Securing your housing as soon as possible is strongly recommended, as on-campus housing at Altoona is not guaranteed or required. It is first come, first served.

Visit LiveOn for more information on Housing and Food Services.

Off-Campus Housing

Securing your housing as soon as possible is strongly recommended. 

How much does it cost to attend Penn State Altoona?

The estimated direct costs on these pages are for students studying during the 2024-2025 academic year. Tuition, fees, and housing and food are billed by semester; bills are due in August for the fall semester and December for the spring semester.

Full-time Students

For undergraduate students, tuition is charged per credit up to twelve credits. Students taking twelve to nineteen credits will be charged a flat tuition rate. Undergraduate students taking more than nineteen credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per-credit-hour rate for each credit above nineteen.

Annual Tuition and Fees, Full-time Student
Costs Per Year PA Resident Non-PA Resident
Tuition $15,388 $26,374
Student Fee $584 $584
Total $15,972 $26,958
Annual Tuition Plus Housing and Food
Costs Per Year PA Resident Non-PA Resident
Room (Maple Hall) $7,710 $7,710
Meal Plan (level 3) $5,836 $5,836
Tuition and Fees $15,972 $26,958
Total $29,518 $40,504

All costs shown are on an annual basis.

Tuition Comparison
Location PA Resident Non-PA Resident
University Park $20,066 $41,212
Altoona $15,388 $26,374
Tuition Differential Savings $4,678 $14,838

Part-time and Summer Students

The direct costs on this page are for a part-time student studying during the 2024-2025 academic year. Tuition and fees are billed by semester; bills are due in August for the fall semester and December for the spring semester.

Tuition Per Credit Hour, Part-time and Summer Students
Course Type PA Resident Non-PA Resident
Lower Division (first- and second-year students) $641 $1,099
Upper Division (Business, EMS, Science, IST, Engineering) $775 $1,259
Upper Division (All Other Programs) $696 $1,168

Housing and Food

Fall 2024–Spring 2025

On-campus Housing Costs
Hall Building Type Cost Per Semester
Maple Hall (Double) Traditional $3,855
Oak Hall (Double) Traditional (Renovated) $4,350
Spruce Hall (Double) Suites $4,560
Cedar Hall (Double) Suites $4,897
Meal Plan Costs
Plan Dining Dollars Base Cost Total Cost Per Semester
Level 1 $892 $1,590 $2,482
Level 2 $1,119 $1,590 $2,709
Level 3 $1,328 $1,590 $2,918

We’re happy to help our students and their families explore their financial options when deciding how to fund college costs, whether it be through tuition savings plans, student employment, Penn State’s payment plan, student financial aid, personal savings, or a combination of these options.

Contact the Office of Student Aid using our request information form or by phone at 814-949-5055 to consult with a financial aid counselor.

What happens at New Student Orientation?

First-year Students: New Student Orientation (NSO) is a two-part program you must participate in before scheduling classes.

  • Register for NSO online.
  • During the first part of NSO, you will see our beautiful campus, learn about resources and opportunities available to you, connect with other new students, and more.
  • During the second part, you will meet with an academic adviser on Zoom to review your placements, explore your major’s Suggested Academic Plan, and schedule your classes.

Transfer Students: NSO is optional for transfer students but strongly recommended.

  • Register for NSO online.
  • During your virtual NSO, you will learn about resources and opportunities available to you, connect with other new transfer students, and more.
  • You will receive an email from our Advising Office staff that provides you with your academic adviser’s name and contact information. Please contact the academic adviser to schedule an appointment to discuss scheduling your courses.

Visit the NSO web site for more details

How do I register for NSO?

Register for an NSO session on the Penn State Student Orientation website.

After registering, be sure to check your Penn State email for your customized NSO Tasklist, which will list things that you must complete before your NSO, others that you will complete during your NSO, and even more that will be completed after your NSO.

Scheduling Classes

New first-year students will register for classes as part of New Student Orientation (NSO). During the second part of your NSO, you will meet with an academic adviser on Zoom to review your placements, explore your major’s Suggested Academic Plan, and schedule your classes.

Transfer students will receive an email from our Advising Office staff that provides you with your academic adviser’s name and contact information. Please contact them to schedule an appointment to discuss scheduling your courses. Note that NSO is optional for transfer students but strongly recommended.

Bursar’s Office/General Billing Information

  • The Bursar’s Office is your on-campus source for information on tuition billing and collection, including electronic bills shown in LionPATH.
  • Note that all notifications will be sent to your official Penn State email account when a Student Account Statement is available to view and/or pay on LionPATH.
  • Paper statements will not be mailed.
  • The Student Account Statement includes the amount due for courses enrolled, fees, as well as credits for anticipated aid (grants, accepted loans, or other financial assistance) that is available at the time the statement is prepared.
  • The LionPATH Support site has additional Student Billing FAQs.

Adding an “Authorized Payer” to a Student Account

Payment Options

Any of the following methods can pay the Student Account Statement:

Additionally, you may pay in person at the Bursar’s Office on campus. Walk-in payments may be made by cash, check, money order, or certified check; credit cards are not accepted in the office.

Tuition Due Dates

  • Billing begins in August for the fall semester, January for the spring semester, and May for the summer semester.
  • The Board of Trustees approves tuition rates and mandatory fees for the academic year. For the tuition rates and mandatory fees approved for the current academic year please, visit the Penn State tuition page.

More on Tuition Due Dates

Required Immunizations

Important Immunization Requirements for All Incoming Students

All incoming Penn State students must provide proof of the following immunizations:

  • 2 MMR (Measles, mumps, and rubella). The first dose is given after your first birthday, and the second is given at least one month after the first dose.
  • If living in on-campus housing, 1 MCV4 (meningococcal conjugate vaccine: Menveo, Menactra, MenQuadfi) after your nineteenth birthday.

Visit the University Health Services website for details on required immunizations and the submission process.

To submit your immunization records, log into myUHS using your Penn State access credentials and click on the Medical Clearances tab. Enter your vaccines and upload image files of your official immunization records and, if applicable, any positive antibody titer blood test results.

Immunization requirements apply to all undergraduate and graduate students at University Park and Commonwealth Campuses, excluding World Campus and Great Valley.

For more information on immunization compliance, visit the University Health Services website.

Immunizations Currently Offered at the Health and Wellness Center

Immunizations currently available at the Health and Wellness Center include the following:

  • MMR
  • Meningitis A
  • Typhoid
  • Influenza
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis A
  • Tetanus

Important Immunization Requirements for All Incoming Students

All incoming Penn State students must provide proof of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella. In accordance with Pennsylvania state law, students living in on-campus housing must also provide proof of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menveo, Menactra, MenQuadfi, MCV4), which protects against infections caused by serogroups A, C, W, and Y. Visit the University Health Services website for details on required immunizations and the submission process.

To submit: log in to myUHS using your Penn State access credentials, enter your vaccines, and upload image files of your official immunization records and, if applicable, any positive antibody titer blood test results.

Immunization requirements are applicable to all undergraduate and graduate students at University Park and Commonwealth Campuses excluding World Campus and Great Valley.

Travel Immunizations

Hepatitis A, Tetanus, and antimalaria medications can be provided to students traveling to high-risk areas.

Immunizations are available by calling 814-949-5540 for an appointment.

Health Insurance Requirements

Adequate health insurance provides students with security and an enhanced sense of well-being during their time at Penn State.

  • Penn State requires full-time U.S. students to submit their health insurance coverage information at the beginning of each academic year. If you do not have coverage, you can note that on the form.
  • International students and any accompanying dependents are required to submit proof of health insurance coverage that meets a set of requirements or purchase the Penn State Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). More information about specific requirements for international students, enrollment deadlines, and instructions for how to submit proof of insurance can be accessed by visiting Student Health Insurance Information for International Students.

To complete this requirement, students should visit the LionPATH Health Insurance page after registering for classes to provide details about their current insurance policy and thereby waive the Penn State Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). You will also have the option to enroll in (purchase) the Penn State SHIP at this time.

  • The SHIP bill will be combined with your tuition bill, if you choose to purchase it.
  • Students who do not currently have adequate coverage on or near the campus they attend, are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Penn State SHIP.
  • If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to the Student Health Insurance office at University Park.

Penn State SHIP

SHIP is designed specifically for students, by students, and offers comprehensive health insurance at a competitive price with a wide network of providers across the United States.

Penn State offers students, spouses and dependents the opportunity to purchase health insurance.

  • Be aware that the plan is not full-coverage insurance
  • There are specific limits to the policy regarding how you receive benefits and the amount of reimbursement. It is the responsibility of each insured to understand the policy

For more information, visit the Health Insurance page on the University Health Services website.

Services Provided on Campus

For a full listing of services provided at Penn State Altoona, visit the Health and Wellness Center site.

Scheduling Classes

For information about scheduling classes, select New Student Orientation (NSO) from the dropdown box.

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