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Tuition Adjustment Policy

Tuition Penalty for Dropped Credits

Beginning on the first day of classes, students who drop below full-time or drop below their originally registered credit level may be assessed a tuition penalty. The tuition adjustment is determined by the effective date of the drop and is made according to Penn State's Tuition Adjustment Schedule.

Tuition Adjustment Schedule

Tuition Adjustment Schedule

Duration of Course Tuition Adjustment Percentage
1 week or less 0
2-3 weeks 1st week - 50%
2nd week - 0
4-5 weeks 1st week - 70%
2nd week - 40%
3rd week - 0
6 weeks 1st week - 70%
2nd week - 40%
3rd week - 20%
4th week - 0
7-10 weeks 1st week - 80%
2nd week - 60%
3rd week - 40%
4th week - 20%
5th week - 0
11 weeks or more 1st week - 80%
decrease of 10% for each week
thereafter up to and including
the eighth consecutive calendar week.

Note: Adjustments are based on the tuition amount only. The Information Technology Fee, Activities Fee, and Facilities Fee are non-refundable.

Withdrawal

Students can process a withdrawal by submitting an Official Withdrawal Form to the Office of the University Registrar. This form can be obtained from the dean of his/her college or degree-granting unit. Students can also process a withdrawal on eLion (note: summer withdrawals cannot be processed on eLion).

  • Students who withdraw will receive a tuition adjustment in accordance with Penn State's Tuition Adjustment Schedule.
  • Adjustments are based on the tuition amount only. The Information Technology Fee, Activities Fee, and Facilities Fee are non-refundable.
  • Students who live in the residence halls should contact the Housing Assignment office for information regarding room and board adjustments.

Tuition adjustment is based on the information provided at the time of withdrawal. If the withdrawal is processed within one month of the last date of attendance, the adjustment of tuition is based on the last date of attendance. Otherwise, the adjustment of tuition is based on the date of withdrawal.

Withdrawal From Penn State and Student Financial Aid

  • Students who receive financial aid are expected to complete all credits started. Students who do not successfully complete all credits may lose their right to some or all of the funds awarded for the semester and/or future semesters.
  • Students planning to withdraw during the semester must follow the procedures established by the University. See "Withdrawal" above.
  • Tuition adjustment will follow Penn State's Tuition Adjustment Schedule.

Return of Federal Financial Aid

  • To maintain Federal financial aid eligibility during the semester, the student must be attending classes, taking exams and completing required course work.
  • The 1998 Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act requires the University to calculate a Return of Federal financial aid funds for students who withdraw (officially or unofficially) from all classes on or before attending 60 percent of the semester.
  • Using a pro-rata schedule, the percentage of the semester attended is used to calculate the amount of the student's earned/unearned Federal financial aid funds. The percentage of semester attended is calculated by using the number of days the student attended and the total number of days in the semester.
  • The unearned portion of Federal financial aid funds will be returned to the appropriate aid program(s). The funds will be returned in the following order:
    1. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
    2. Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan
    3. Federal Perkins Loan
    4. Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
    5. Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
    6. Federal Pell Grant
    7. Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
    8. National SMART Grant
    9. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The student will be responsible for any balance due after the return of Federal financial aid funds.

Students who stop attending all classes without officially withdrawing are subject to the return of Federal financial aid funds at the end of the semester. The amount returned is based on the withdrawal date or last documented date of attendance determined by Penn State.

Return of State Grant Funds

After all required Federal financial aid funds are returned, any credit balance remaining on the student account will be returned to the PHEAA grant (if applicable) based on the following PHEAA refund calculation:

        Tuition Adjustment   X   PHEAA Grant  =  PHEAA Refund
        Full-Time Tuition

The amount returned to PHEAA will never exceed the amount of the PHEAA grant.

The student account will not be debited to return funds to the PHEAA grant

Return of Institutional and Other Aid Funds

If a credit balance remains after the return of Federal and State Grant funds, the credit balance will be returned to all other aid sources (if applicable) based on the following "other aid" refund calculation:

        Other Aid Disbursed   X   Adjustment  =  Refund to Other Aid Source
        Total Aid Disbursed

The other aid will be returned to the appropriate aid sources. The funds will be returned in the following order:

  1. Short-term loan (not considered in aid calculation)
  2. University loans
  3. University scholarships
  4. Other grants
  5. Private scholarships

Other aid sources should be adjusted up to the amount of each aid source.

The student account will not be debited to return funds to "other aid" sources.

Credit Balances After Required Aid Funds Have Been Returned

If a credit balance remains after the return of the required Federal financial aid, State grants, Institutional and other aid funds, the balance will be refunded to the student (up to the amount paid for the semester).

Policy For Retroactive Withdrawals

Refer to the University Undergraduate Advising Handbook for questions regarding the petition process for retroactive withdrawals.