Tuition Penalty for Dropped Credits
Beginning with 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. Adjustments for tuition will be determined on the effective date of the drop. Any adjustment of charges will be made according to Penn State's 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: Adjustment is based on the tuition amount only. Information technology fee is nonrefundable. |
Withdrawal
Charges for tuition are adjusted upon withdrawal from the University only in the event the student obtains an Official Withdrawal Form at the office of the dean of his or her college or other degree-granting unit and presents it to the World Campus office. Adjustment of tuition is based upon the date of last class attended provided an Official Withdrawal Form is received by the University Registrar within one calendar month of that date; otherwise, the adjustment will be based on the date the Official Withdrawal Form is filed with the University Registrar. The withdrawal action can also be completed through eLion.
Students who meet this condition are entitled to receive an adjustment of charges for tuition for the semester in accordance with Penn State's Tuition Adjustment Schedule.
Withdrawal from Penn State and Student Financial Aid
- Students receiving student financial aid are expected to complete all credits started. Students not successfully completing all credits may lose their right to some or all of these funds during the semester and/or in future semesters.
- Students planning on withdrawing during the semester must follow the procedures established by the University. See above.
- Tuition reimbursement will follow Penn State's Tuition Adjustment Schedule.
Return of Federal Student Aid
- To remain eligible for Federal student aid 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 Student Aid Funds for students who withdraw (officially or unofficially) from all classes on or before the 60 percent attendance point in the semester.
- Using a pro-rata schedule, the percentage of the semester attended is used to calculate the amount of the student's earned versus unearned Federal student aid funds. The number of calendar days spent attending classes is divided by the number of calendar days in the semester to determine the percentage of the semester attended.
- The unearned portion of Federal student aid funds will be returned to the appropriate aid program(s). The funds are returned in the following order:
- Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
- Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan
- Federal Perkins Loan
- Federal PLUS Loan
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal SEOG Grant
Students withdrawing from classes are responsible for payment of any balance due after the required return of Federal student aid funds.
Students who stop attending all classes without officially withdrawing will be subject to return Federal student aid funds at the end of the semester based on withdrawal date/last documented date of attendance as determined by Penn State.
Return of State Grant Funds
After satisfying the return of all required Federal student aid funds, any balance remaining in the student account from tuition, room and board, and fee adjustments will be returned to PHEAA based on the following PHEAA refund calculation:
Tuition Adjustment X PHEAA Grant = PHEAA Refund
Full-Time Tuition
The PHEAA grant refund will never exceed the amount of the PHEAA grant.*
The student account will not be debited to satisfy the PHEAA grant refund.
*Note: PHEAA is no longer serving as a lender for federal Stafford Loans. For more information, please see this article about Penn State's solution or contact the Office of Student Aid.
Return of Institutional and Other Aid Funds
After satisfying the PHEAA grant refund, any balance remaining in the student account from all tuition and fee adjustments will be returned to all other aid sources based on the following "other aid" refund calculation:
Other Aid Disbursed X Adjustment = Refund to Other Aid Source
Total Aid Disbursed
The other aid refund will be distributed to the appropriate aid sources as follows:
- Short-term loan (not considered in aid calculation)
- University loans
- University scholarships
- Other grants
- Outside scholarships
Other aid sources should be adjusted up to the amount of each aid source.
The student account will not be debited to satisfy the "other aid" refund.
Credit Balances After Required Aid Funds Have Been Returned
If a credit balance remains in the student's account after the return of the required Federal student aid funds, State grant funds, and Institutional and other aid funds, the balance will be distributed according to the following priority:
- Student, up to the amount the student paid for the semester
- Student loans
- Student grants and scholarships
Policy for Retroactive Withdrawals
Refer to the University Undergraduate Advising Handbook for questions regarding the petition process for retroactive withdrawals.
Students granted a retroactive withdrawal for a previous semester by the University Faculty Senate are not eligible for Penn State's Tuition Adjustment Policy referenced above.
