Office of the Bursar


A Unit of the Corporate Controller's Office

Tuition Bill Instructions

Important information
Refund information
Tuition bill due dates
Completing your registration
Telephone inquiries
Fees and charges
Deferment policy
College savings plans
Scholarships, Grants, Loans
Tuition adjustment policy

Important Information:   Back to Top

Electronic Bills: Electronic bills (eBills) have replaced all paper bills for Penn State students. Tuition bills will not be mailed. Once the eBill is prepared, an e-mail message will be sent to the student's official University e-mail account announcing that the eBill is available to view and/or pay via eLion.

An e-mail message also will be sent to Parents/Others announcing that the student's eBill is available to view and/or pay via eLion. Please note that only those Parents/Others who have been granted access to the student's Bills Tuition/Other will receive this e-mail message. The e-mail will be sent to the e-mail account listed in your "Friends of Penn State" profile.

eCheck: Electronic payment via eCheck is available on eLion. The eCheck option is a fast and convenient method to pay eBills directly from a personal checking account drawn on a US bank. There is no charge to pay by eCheck.

On-line Access for Parent/Other individuals: Students have the option to grant their Parent/Guardian/Other access to their financial information via eLion.

Step 1. Parent/Guardian/Other obtains a Penn State User ID through a "Friends of Penn State" account if they do not have a current Penn State access account. Go to eLion.psu.edu and select "Parent/Other." Click on "Create an Account" and follow the instructions to obtain your Penn State User ID.

Step 2. Parent/Guardian/Other must provide their student with the Penn State User ID that was created in Step 1.

Step 3. The student can now grant access to Bills Tuition/Other, Bursar Account, Hope/Lifetime Tax Credit information and/or Plus Request Form. Students can grant their Parent/Guardian/Other access by logging onto eLion.psu.edu, selecting "Parent/Other Access" on the left-hand menu, clicking "Continue," and following the directions to grant access.

Refund Information:   Back to Top

For the quickest delivery of your refund, enroll in Penn State's Rapid Refund Program via eLion to have your refund electronically deposited directly into your bank account. After logging onto eLion, select "Refund Information" from the left-hand menu, then click the "Sign up for Rapid Refund" button and enter your bank account information.

If you do not currently have a bank account, PNC Bank can assist you. Please go to the PNC Bank Web site for more information.

Rapid Refund is Penn State's preferred refund delivery method. If you choose to have your refund mailed to a permanent or local address, please note that delivery of your refund will be delayed.

Tuition Bill Due Dates:   Back to Top

Generally, the fall semester tuition bills are due at the beginning of August, and the spring semester tuition bills are due at the beginning of December. An e-mail message will be sent to the student's official University e-mail account announcing that the eBill is available to view and/or pay via eLion. An e-mail also will be sent to Parents/Others who are authorized to view their student's Bills Tuition/Other. Please refer to the due date provided within the e-mail. eBill notifications will be sent approximately three weeks prior to the due date. Payment of tuition/fees or confirmation of registration must be completed prior to the due date to avoid the $50 Late Payment Fee.

Dates For Semester Billings:
Fall tuition eBills are prepared beginning mid-July through late August.
Spring tuition eBills are prepared early November through mid-January.
Summer tuition eBills are prepared mid-April through late June.

Completing Your Registration:   Back to Top

The Penn State registration process consists of two steps. First, the student initiates registration by selecting specific courses. Second, the student completes registration upon payment of tuition and fees or confirmation of registration electronically (i.e., when all charges will be covered by financial aid).

The eBill includes the amount due as well as anticipated payments resulting from applicable scholarships, loans, grants, and other forms of financial assistance. In some cases, because of anticipated financial aid, a student may not be required to make a payment to the University. In other cases, a student may be due a refund from the University. IN ALL CASES, REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT DUE, ACTION IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION PROCESS AS FOLLOWS:

  1. Go to eLion, select the "Student" or "Parent/Other" option, and log on with your User ID and password. Next, select "Bills Tuition/Other."
  2. If you have more than one bill available to view, select the tuition bill for the current semester.
  3. Print a copy of your bill before making a payment or confirming your registration if you wish to retain an official copy for your records.
  4. Complete your registration as follows:
  1. If your net payable is less than $100, select "Confirm Registration" then "Continue" until you receive confirmation that your registration is complete.
  2. If your net payable is $100 or more, select "Complete Registration" and "Continue" to the payment options.
    1. eCheck - The electronic check (eCheck) option is a fast and convenient method to pay eBills directly online from a personal checking account drawn on a US bank. Penn State deducts the amount you enter from your checking account, so you don't need to mail a check. An eCheck will appear on your monthly statement as PENN STATE UNIV BILL PAYMT. There is no fee to pay by eCheck. To make an eCheck payment, provide your routing and account numbers from the bottom of your check and the amount you wish to pay. If you need assistance locating the routing and/or account numbers, an example is available on the eLion site to assist you.
    2. Credit Card - Payment may be made using a credit card (MasterCard, Discover, or American Express) via eLion. There is a 2% Convenience Fee for each payment made by credit card. We cannot accept credit cards via mail, phone, or in person.
    3. Check, cash, or money order - To pay by check or money order, you may print a payment voucher from eLion and mail it in with your check or money order. All checks and money orders must be made payable to Penn State. Remit payment to The Pennsylvania State University, Office of the Bursar, 103 Shields Building, University Park, PA 16802-1200. Please include your PSU ID on your check or money order. You may also make check, cash, or money order payments at any Penn State location. Your cancelled check will serve as your receipt. Penn State does not accept post-dated checks. Please do not mail cash. Your payment must be received by the due date indicated on your bill to avoid the $50 Late Payment Fee. Please allow time for processing (5-7 business days) for payments sent through the mail. In addition, returned checks will invoke a $25 Returned Item Fee.
  3. If you need to make changes to your bill, select "Request changes to bill" and note the changes within the explanation box. Changes may include adjustments to financial aid, number of credits, or room/board assignment, multiple parties paying the bill, etc. Changes will be submitted to the Bursar's Office for review. You will receive a response from the Bursar's Office via e-mail.

Failure to complete the registration process may result in any or all of the following actions:

  • You will not receive grades for courses attended.
  • Once classes begin, you cannot add or late drop/add courses for the current semester.
  • You are ineligible to register for future semesters.
  • If you are receiving student loans, you may enter a repayment status with your lender.
  • If you are receiving student aid, some aid sources may be cancelled and unable to be reinstated at a later date.
  • If you are receiving a Federal Work Study award, you cannot be hired.
  • The University reserves the right to cancel an incomplete registration for failure to pay tuition and fees.
  • If you are an international student, you may be out of compliance with the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) federal requirements. For more information, contact the Office of International Programs.

Prior to the first day of the semester, a student may cancel his or her registration without financial penalty. Beginning with the first day of the semester, a student who decides not to attend must withdraw. Please see "Tuition Adjustment Policy" below to determine your financial adjustment.

Telephone Inquiries:   Back to Top

For more information, please contact the appropriate office.
Student Aid 814-865-6301 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.(Monday - Friday)
Housing Assignment
(UP students only)		 814-865-7501 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.(Monday - Friday)
Registrar's Office 814-865-6357 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.(Monday - Friday)
Bursar's Office 814-865-6528 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.(Monday - Friday)

Non-University Park Locations: Questions concerning your tuition bill can also be directed to the Finance/Bursar Office of the campus you are attending.

Fees and Charges:   Back to Top

Part-Time: When scheduling classes, if you will be enrolling in fewer than 12 credits, you must select "Check here and select Adjust Registration if you plan to enroll for less than 12 credits" then click the "Adjust Registration" button to set the part-time indicator. If at the time you scheduled classes you indicated your intention to be enrolled in fewer than 12 credits, your bill will reflect part-time charges.

Information Technology Fee: An Information Technology Fee is charged to all undergraduate and graduate students at all campus locations. Computer Access Accounts are made available to all students to provide unrestricted access to Penn State's computing facilities as well as electronic mail, the World Wide Web, and key information services such as encyclopedias and governmental data. For students who have their own computers, income from the fee provides connections to the University's network and information services. The funds also provide direct support for computer services at each individual campus location. Examples include the purchase of microcomputers and software for student laboratories, consulting, and work stations.

The non-refundable Information Technology Fee is charged according to the number of credits in which the student is enrolled immediately prior to the first day of the semester. Adding credits on or after the first day of the semester could result in a corresponding increase of the fee. Dropping credits on or after the first day of the semester will not reduce the fee charged.

Activities Fee: The purpose of the Student Activities Fee is to improve the out-of-class experience and the educational climate at Penn State. Income from the Student Activities Fee is used to increase the number and quality of activities such as clubs and organizations, recreational and fitness programs, lectures, music and cultural programs, and other campus programs related to the total learning environment. Each campus has established a student-run committee that will allocate these funds. For more information on the University Park Allocation Committee, please visit the University Park Allocations Committee Web site or 229 HUB-Robeson Center; call 814-863-8951; or e-mail upac@psu.edu.

The non-refundable Activities Fee is charged according to campus and the number of credits in which the student is enrolled immediately prior to the first day of the semester. Adding credits on or after the first day of the semester could result in a corresponding increase of the fee. Dropping credits on or after the first day of the semester will not reduce the fee charged.

Facilities Fee: The student facilities fee has been established effective with the fall semester 2008 to provide a funding source for capital projects designed to enhance student activities, fitness and recreation. Projects to be undertaken at each campus will be identified by the appropriate campus officials. Student input will be obtained in determining priorities and ideas for potential projects through campus advisory groups that represent all constituencies.

The non-refundable Facilities Fee is charged according to the number of credits in which the student is enrolled immediately prior to the first day of the semester. Adding credits on or after the first day of the semester could result in a corresponding increase of the fee. Dropping credits on or after the first day of the semester will not reduce the fee charged.

Other Charges: In addition to the tuition, fees, room and board, certain specific charges applicable only under special conditions are paid separately for individual music lessons, change of schedule, credit by examination, duplicate student identification card, student parking, and other items listed in the current University Bulletin. If you are a recipient of Federal aid funds, your approval is required to cover charges to your student account (other than tuition, fees, and room and board). You have the right to rescind your approval by contacting the Bursar's Office.

Deferment Policy:   Back to Top

A deferred payment plan is available to all students. Two-thirds of the current semester's net payable tuition, fees, and room and board may be deferred beyond the first due date. There is a $45 Deferred Payment Fee. All eligible aid and loans must be applied to reduce current charges before the deferment option may be taken. Penn State reserves the right to refuse a deferred payment option to any student who has not met prior payment agreements. Prior semester balances cannot be deferred; they must be paid in full with the first one-third payment of charges for the current semester.

An e-mail notification will be sent to the student's official University e-mail account announcing the subsequent installments in advance of their due dates. Payments received after the due date will be assessed a $20.00 Late Fee.

College Savings Plans:   Back to Top

An example of a College Savings Plan is the Pennsylvania College Savings Program (nowU). Most states have a College Savings Plan that will send funds to Penn State after you send them a copy of your tuition bill. If you are claiming a credit from any of these plans, you can indicate this on your electronic bill by selecting "Request changes to my bill" and noting the change within the explanation box. Once you have made these changes, they will be submitted to the Bursar's Office for review. You will receive a response from the Bursar's Office via e-mail. Please be sure to follow any additional instructions required by the College Savings Plan to ensure the funds arrive in a timely manner.

Scholarships, Grants, Loans:   Back to Top

Please refer to Anticipated Student Financial Aid Detail on your tuition bill. This section shows the most current known aid available. The total amount will be shown as a deduction (credit) on your tuition bill. If you are claiming credit for any other type of student aid, please select, "Request changes to my bill," select the appropriate box, note the changes within the explanation box, and revise the amount in the box next to "I expect my adjusted semester charges to be $." Once you have made these changes, they will be submitted to the Bursar's Office for review. You will receive a response from the Bursar's Office via e-mail.

Please note: if you are making changes to your tuition bill and intend to send payment by mail, please follow the instructions in the paragraph above and be sure to print a copy of the payment voucher and return the entire revised page with your payment. Print an additional copy for your records. Be sure to include a copy of supporting documentation, such as a scholarship award letter with an approved amount. Taking a deduction of student aid sources, such as loans, scholarships, etc., that have not been approved can delay the processing of your bill and completion of your registration.

Federal Direct Stafford Loan Information: Students eligible for a Federal Direct Stafford Loan may see it listed on the tuition bill as an "ESTIMATED LOAN." If an "ESTIMATED LOAN" appears on your tuition bill and you completed/signed your Federal Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note, you can expect to receive a notice finalizing your loan. If you have not completed/signed your Federal Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note, you can complete/sign this note now electronically using the Federal Personal Identification Number (PIN) issued to you by the Federal Department of Education. This loan note can be signed at www.dlenote.ed.gov. This Master Promissory Note will authorize disbursement of all Federal Direct Stafford Loan funds for up to 10 years while you are enrolled as a student. You will not need to sign this promissory note again to borrow in future years. Prior to any Federal Direct Stafford Loan disbursements being made to your student account, you will have the option to refuse these funds. Students can decrease or cancel a Federal Direct Stafford Loan via eLion by selecting "Loan Decrease" from the left-hand menu. However, students are encouraged to closely review their semester budget to determine the amount of Federal Direct Stafford Loan funds needed to pay tuition, fees, room, board and book charges. Students should also consider any additional educational expenses they may incur during the semester. This will help students determine the amount of Federal Direct Stafford Loan funds they need to borrow to cover the educational expenses for the semester. Students will then receive a "Notification of Disbursement" from both the Federal Department of Education and Penn State (via e-mail) at the point in the semester when Federal Direct Stafford Loan funds are placed in the student's account. Students will also have the option at this time to refuse any or all of the Federal Direct Stafford Loan proceeds. If after receiving the proceeds as a refund, a student decides to return any or all of their loan funds, please return them directly to the Office of the Bursar, 103 Shields Building, University Park, PA 16802. We will return them directly to the Federal Department of Education.

All first-time Penn State loan borrowers will need to complete a process called Loan Entrance Counseling, which highlights the obligation to repay all loans. Students will be notified via e-mail if this is a requirement and will be directed to eLion to complete the online counseling program. Loan Entrance Counseling must be completed before loan funds will be disbursed.

Federal Perkins and University Loans: Students with either a Federal Perkins Loan or a University Loan who wish to reduce or cancel these loans should do so via eLion by selecting "Loan Decrease" from the left-hand menu.

A Note to Scholarship Recipients: Scholarship award letters and/or scholarship checks may be mailed to:

The Office of Loans and Scholarships
Attn: Outside Scholarship Specialist
108 Shields Building
University Park, PA 16802

PLEASE NOTE: Students attending the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, PA, or the Penn State College of Medicine should contact their respective Student Affairs office concerning questions about their student loans.

A Note to Undergraduate Students Only: Students should be aware that dropping classes during the semester may decrease the amount of your financial aid. All students receiving a Federal Pell Grant who decrease their credit load during the semester will have their award adjusted. This may result in a balance owed to the University.

Graduate Students: If you have an approved graduate assistantship, fellowship, or traineeship, you can indicate this on your electronic bill by selecting "Request changes to my bill," selecting the appropriate box, and noting the change within the explanation box. Once you have made these changes, they will be submitted to the Bursar's Office for review. You will receive a response from the Bursar's Office via e-mail.

Tuition Adjustment Policy:   Back to Top

Your tuition bill payment will be refunded in full if you cancel all of your classes prior to the first day of the semester and do not incur University housing charges. The University will not release refunds of overpayments until at least three weeks have elapsed from the date the payment was posted. If you have completed your registration and you subsequently withdraw or drop below your original credit level, your tuition will be adjusted according to Penn State's Tuition Adjustment Schedule. Beginning with the first day of classes, students who drop below full-time or drop below their original credit level may be assessed a tuition penalty. Tuition adjustments 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.

Other: Payment in advance of registration will not guarantee enrollment or residence hall accommodations. The University reserves the right to revise tuition and other charges without further notice.



This information is available in alternative format upon request.