Office of Student Aid : Frequently Asked Questions

Tuition, Payments, and Refunds

Are there tuition payment or deferment plans?

Penn State offers a payment option in addition to full semester payments in August and December.

Penn State's Deferred Payment Plan

• student pays only one-third of the tuition bill's charges (not covered by student aid) before the due date of that bill.
• Two additional payments follow on the remaining balance over the next two months.
• The deferred payment plan has a $45 participation fee.
• Payments for fall semester are made from August through October.
• Payments for the spring semester are made from December through February (with no payment required in January).
• Instructions on using the deferred payment plan are included with each semester's billing information.

If I still have money left over after paying my tuition, what happens to it?

When your total aid is greater than your billable charges for tuition, fees, room and meals (if applicable), you may be eligible for a refund.

Refunds are made available to registered students after all University (billable) charges are satisfied and student financial aid is disbursed on or after the first day of the semester.

If you are interested in having your refund directly deposited into your checking or savings account, you can sign up for the Rapid Refund Program by choosing Refund Information from the Students menu on eLion.

Refunds not delivered by direct deposit will be mailed.

Do I need to pick up a check for my student financial aid refund?

No. The Bursar's office refunds students' credit balances by mail or Rapid Refund (direct deposit to bank account). Please review the Bursar's office Web site for detailed refund information.

What are Penn State's tuition rates?

Penn State's tuition rates are available online.