Military and Veteran Students
Penn State provides many resources for applicants and students who are military and veteran service members whether they are attending residential or online programs.
Discounted Application Fee
Veterans and Military Service Members receive a discounted rate of $40 on their degree application fee. This represents more than a 35 percent decrease from the standard $65 degree application fee.
In-State Tuition Rate for Veterans, Spouses, and Children
Penn State offers in-state tuition rates to the following individuals:
- all veteran students, their spouses, and their dependents, even if they reside outside of Pennsylvania
- guard/reservists/active-duty members, their spouses, and dependent children, even if they reside outside of Pennsylvania
- civilian personnel, their spouses, and dependent children employed at a Department of Defense facility who are transferred to Pennsylvania by the Department of Defense and who reside in Pennsylvania
To receive the in-state tuition rate, Penn State must verify an applicant’s veteran or dependent status. Interested applicants can learn more on the Office of Veterans Programs website. Students who are using Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits automatically receive the in-state tuition and are not required to complete this process.
This in-state tuition rate was implemented after the October 2023 passage of Pennsylvania Act P.L. 60, No. 14. Under this legislation, “veteran” is defined as “an individual who served in the United States Armed Forces, including a reserve component or the National Guard and who was discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable. The term includes an individual described in legislation 38 U.S.C. 3319(b), relating to authority to transfer unused education benefits to family members.
For Questions about Funding and Tuition Costs
You will undoubtedly have questions about tuition costs and available financial aid. The best offices that can assist you with military and veteran student questions are:
Veteran Student Career Resources
Explore a combination of general resources and those specific for veterans to give you leverage when searching for your next career opportunity.
Veteran Affairs and Service
Supports military-connected students by enabling their access to all aspects of higher education and empowering them to succeed while at Penn State and as they transition to post-education endeavors.
Office of Veterans Programs
Provides certification of veterans education benefits and comprehensive counseling, programming, advocacy, and support to all military affiliated students, ensuring continuity and success throughout their Penn State experience.
Commission for Adult Learners
Penn State’s Commission for Adult Learners is composed of faculty, staff, and students from several University locations. Members are dedicated to improving the adult learner experience at Penn State.
Adult Learner Programs & Services
Provides advocacy, mentorship, programming, and helpful resources for non-traditional undergraduate students during their educational journey.
For those utilizing federal tuition assistance benefits and wishing to transfer credits from an external institution, please declare your intentions to your graduate program adviser once enrolled. You should also refer to Graduate Council policy on Transfer Credit GCAC-309 for further information.
Deployment and Relocation
If you are ordered to relocate or deploy, and you cannot complete a schedule of courses for a given semester, you may request a short-term absence, extended absence, leave of absence, or partially cancelled schedule. This applies to any active-duty service members or activated reserve-component members of the U.S. Armed Forces and/or spouses/domestic partners of active-duty members or activated reserve-component members.
“Penn State stands out as a premier destination for graduate education due to its exceptional academic programs, renowned faculty, and vibrant campus community. With a diverse range of graduate programs spanning various disciplines, Penn State offers students the opportunity to pursue advanced studies in fields at the forefront of innovation and discovery. The university's commitment to research is evident through its state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative research initiatives, providing students with invaluable hands-on experience and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.”
— Mohammadreza Abbasi
Doctoral student in Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering