Information for School Counselors
School counselors play a critical role in a student's post-secondary path and we want to help you in the process of helping students seeking admission to Penn State.
Transcripts & Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) Record
Students applying to Penn State will not provide transcripts in most cases but will complete a to report completed and in-progress coursework. They will need to refer to their 9–11th grades transcripts and senior year courses to complete the STARS Record. Students will be notified individually if their transcripts are needed in addition to the STARS record.
Admitted students who commit to Penn State are required to verify high school graduation. We recommend verifications be completed in the Penn State Web Counselor System, but we can also accept official final transcripts showing the graduation date, directly from the school, via mail, email, or fax, or Naviance/Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, Scribbles, SCOIR, or CommonApp.
If a student’s former school has closed, please contact the state’s Department of Education where the school was located for assistance requesting the official transcript.
Adult learners, as defined by the University, are exempt from this requirement.
Test-Optional Information
Penn State is test-optional through Fall of 2026, so submitting scores is not required for your application. Applicants that have elected to have scores used in the evaluation of their application can self-report SAT or ACT exam scores in MyPennState. Applicants will be asked to enter scores from each exam date they participated in. Penn State will use a student’s highest combined score from one single test date. Penn State does not utilize a superscore. Penn State does not require or accept scores from the optional Science portion of the Enhanced ACT exam.
Once a student decides to attend Penn State, they will arrange for SAT or ACT scores to be sent directly to Undergraduate Admissions from the appropriate testing agency.
SAT via the College Board (code #2660)
Penn State does not use or require Subject Tests.
ACT (code #3656)
Application Fee Waivers
Penn State accepts fee waiver requests from school counselors, College Board, or ACT, documenting an applicant's extreme financial hardships.
Copies of College Board or ACT fee waivers can be faxed to 814-863-7590 or mailed to:
Penn State Undergraduate Admissions
201 Shields Building
664 Curtin Road
University Park, PA 16802
All other fee waiver requests should be sent to admissions@psu.edu. Please include the student's PSU ID number (if known), date of birth, and address to ensure that the waiver is applied to the correct application.
Please note that a student must start an application in order for a fee waiver to be applied. We are not able to refund an application fee once it has been paid. Students who receive fee waivers will be able to bypass the application payment screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
With undergraduate campuses across Pennsylvania and the online World Campus, we are ready to support you with top-notch programs, engaging student life, and vibrant communities. Students have two options when applying to Penn State University Park, one of our commonwealth campus locations or to an online program at our World Campus. Students may apply to Penn State using either the MyPennState application, or through the CommonApp. Penn State holds no preference between the two methods and encourages students to use the method which works best for them. Review our for admission requirements and steps to apply.
The Penn State Undergraduate Admissions application requires applicants to pay a nonrefundable application fee via credit card. Students who have requested and received an approved application fee waiver will be able to bypass the payment screen on the application.
Domestic Fee: $65
International Fee: $75
You are eligible for an application fee waiver if you meet one or more of the following criteria:
You are enrolled in or eligible to participate in the federal free or reduced price lunch program (FRPL).
If you attend a school where all students receive free lunch or testing fee waivers, you do not necessarily qualify for an application fee waiver. Before requesting an application fee waiver, check if you meet federal guidelines for FRPL or ensure you meet at least 1 other qualification.You have received or are eligible to receive an SAT or ACT fee waiver.
Your annual family income falls within the income eligibility guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
Your family receives public assistance.
You are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., GEAR UP, TRIO such as Upward Bound or others).
You live in a federally subsidized public housing, a foster home or are homeless.
You are a ward of the state or an orphan.
You have received or are eligible to receive a Pell Grant.
You can provide a supporting statement from a school official, college access counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader.
All application fees are non-refundable.
Beginning August 1, 2020 students applying for the spring, summer, or fall application terms applicants can decide whether or not to have SAT or ACT exam scores considered as part of the admission review.
First-year Penn State applicants for Spring, Summer, or Fall 2026 are able to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their applications.
Applicants that have elected to have scores used in the evaluation of their application can self-report SAT or ACT exam scores via their MyPennState account after they have submitted an application for admission.
If you have applied to the Accelerated Premedical-Medical Program, SAT or ACT scores are required for consideration and and must be submitted by program's October 14 deadline.
First-year Penn State applicants for Spring, Summer, or Fall 2026 are able to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their applications.
Applicants that have elected to have scores used in the evaluation of their application can self-report SAT or ACT exam scores via their MyPennState account after they have submitted an application for admission.
If you have applied to the Accelerated Premedical-Medical Program, SAT or ACT scores are required for consideration and and must be submitted by program's October 14 deadline.
Penn State does not require or accept scores from the optional Science portion of the Enhanced ACT exam.
For first-year applicants, Penn State is test-optional through Fall of 2026, so submitting scores is not required for your application. Applicants that have elected to have scores used in the evaluation of their application can self-report SAT or ACT exam scores in MyPennState. Applicants will be asked to enter scores from each exam date they participated in. Penn State will use a student’s highest combined score from one single test date. Penn State does not utilize a superscore.
To be eligible for financial aid, students must fill out a FAFSA form. Review our Applying for Aid information by visiting the .
Help Students Apply to Penn State
Web Counselor System
Penn State's Web Counselor System is a free electronic tool that allows school counselors to access their students' application status information and provide graduation verification.
In the Web Counselor System, counselors can:
view lists of Penn State applicants from their school
view application statuses for applicants from their school
upload high school transcripts
Each school must designate a primary contact person for your school with whom Penn State will communicate through the system. The primary contact person must verify the school's profile information before transcripts can be processed.