Tuition Adjustment Policy

Once the semester begins, the process of changing the student's course schedule is referred to as dropping/adding courses (available at Policies and Rules for Undergraduate Students). There are financial implications to consider when dropping courses. Tuition adjustments may apply, and financial aid may be impacted. Students who receive financial aid are strongly encouraged to contact a Student Aid representative.

In this section you will find information about:

Tuition Adjustment for Dropped Credits

What is the tuition adjustment for dropping credits?

At the beginning of each semester, all students must sign a Financial Responsibility Agreement (FRA) before they are allowed to enroll in classes. The FRA states that the student understands that once they register for classes, they are responsible for the tuition and fees due for the courses attended, see FRA sample.

Students who drop below full-time or drop below their originally registered credit level may not receive a tuition refund. The tuition adjustment for dropped credits is determined by the date the credit is dropped and the length of the course. 

  • Review the Tuition Adjustment Schedule for spring 2025
  • Review the Tuition Adjustment Schedule for summer 2025
  • Review the Tuition Adjustment Schedule for fall 2024

To view the Tuition Adjustment per class, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Student Home Base in LionPATH
  2. Click on “Enrollment” on the right
  3. Click on “Drop Classes” on the left
  4. You can view each course’s Tuition Calendar by clicking on the $ symbol under the “Tuition Calendar” column.

 

Withdrawal

How do I withdraw from courses?

Students can process a withdrawal by submitting an Official Withdrawal Form to the Office of the University Registrar. The form and information regarding withdrawals can be found on the Registrar’s website. 

  • 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 Student Fee (Student Initiated Fee) is non-refundable.
  • Students who live in the residence halls should contact the Housing Assignment office for information regarding room and board adjustments.

Withdrawal From Penn State and Student Financial Aid

How does withdrawing affect my 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.

Treatment of Federal Financial Aid When a Student Withdraws

What happens to my Federal Financial Aid if I don't complete my courses?

Federal regulations specify how Penn State determines the amount of federal financial aid a student earns if they withdraw from school. The federal financial aid programs covered by this requirement are Federal Pell Grants, TEACH Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOGs), Direct Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans.

A student earns their federal financial aid funds as they complete the payment period (semester). If a student withdraws (either officially or unofficially) prior to the end of the payment period, the Office of Student Aid completes a Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculation to determine the amount of federal financial aid the student has earned up to that point. 

A student officially withdraws when they follow the procedures established by the University to provide official notice of their withdrawal. See “Withdrawal” above.

A student unofficially withdraws when they do not follow the procedures established by the University to withdraw and instead cease attending all classes prior to the end of the payment period (semester). The withdrawal date for an unofficial withdrawal is the documented last date of attendance at an academically related activity. Absent this date, the withdrawal date would be the midpoint of the term.

If based on the R2T4 calculation, a student received more federal financial aid than they earned, the unearned portion must be returned to the federal financial aid programs. If a student received less federal financial aid than they earned, the student may be able to receive those additional funds in the form of a post-withdrawal disbursement (PWD). 

The amount of federal financial aid a student has earned is determined on a pro rata basis. Once a student has completed more than 60% of the payment period (semester), the student earns all their federal financial aid.

A student is not subject to the R2T4 calculation if the student meets one of the following exemptions: 

  • The student completes all requirements for graduation. 
  • For students enrolled in sessions that do not span the entire length of the term (e.g., Maymester, First 6-Week session in Summer, Second 6-Week session in Summer): 
    • The student successfully completes a class or multiple classes that comprise at least 49% of the days in the payment period (semester) excluding scheduled breaks of 5 or more consecutive days and all days between sessions. 
    • The student successfully completes a class or multiple classes that comprise at least half-time enrollment. 

If a student enrolled in sessions that do not span the entire length of the term (e.g., Maymester, First 6-Week session in Summer, Second 6-Week session in Summer) ceases attendance in an earlier session but remains scheduled in courses that begin later in the term, the student is considered a withdrawal for federal financial aid purposes. If the student returns for a session later in the term, the R2T4 calculation will be undone.

If the student did not receive all the federal financial aid they earned, the student may be due a post-withdrawal disbursement (PWD). If the PWD includes loan funds, the Office of Student Aid will seek the student’s authorization (or their parent’s for a Direct Parent PLUS loan) to disburse the loan funds. If the student is due a PWD of grant funds, Penn State will disburse the funds to pay current allowable outstanding charges on the student’s account.  

If the student received more federal financial aid than they earned, Penn State must return a portion of the excess federal financial aid equal to the lesser of the student’s institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage of the funds or the entire amount of excess federal financial aid. The Office of Student Aid returns the funds to the appropriate federal financial aid programs in the following order: 

  1. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan 
  2. Federal Direct Subsidized Loan 
  3. Federal Direct PLUS Loan (Graduate and Parent) 
  4. Federal Pell Grant 
  5. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) 
  6. Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH) 

The treatment of federal financial aid when a student withdraws is separate from the Tuition Adjustment Schedule. A student is responsible for any balance due to the University created from the return of federal financial aid funds. 

Return of State Grant Funds

How much aid is returned to PA State Grant if I withdraw?

  • State grant funds are returned when needed regardless of a credit balance. 
  • Adjustment of PA State Grant follows the Tuition Adjustment Policy.  If tuition is adjusted, the state grant has to be adjusted.

Return of Institutional and Other Aid Funds

Will other Aid Sources be returned?

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

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. Outside 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 Return of Aid 

Will I get any funds after all aid has 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

Where do I find information about Retroactive Withdrawal?

Refer to Student Petitions for questions regarding the petition process for retroactive withdrawals.

Students who are granted a retroactive withdrawal will be responsible for 100% of tuition due.