The degree and certificate application fee is $65 U.S. The nondegree application is $30 U.S.
U.S. Veterans and Military Service Members receive a $25 discount on degree and certificate application fees.

Starting on December 1, the international application fee will increase from $65 to $85 for anyone applying for spring 2025 admission or later.

No, application fees are nonrefundable.

The Graduate School does not waive application fees. Your application will not be processed in the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services without receipt of the application fee.

Yes, you or another individual may pay the application fee by credit card via the Graduate School Payment Portal, or by check/money order using the Application Fee Form.

Fees are processed as soon as the payment is received.

IMPORTANT: The application fee is processed immediately; however, your application status may not be available during the first 24 hours (until the application uploads to Penn State’s Student System).

The Graduate School accepts Visa, Master Card, Discover Card, American Express credit cards and checks or money orders. Checks or money orders must be payable to “The Pennsylvania State University” in U.S. dollars, and must be drawn from a U.S. bank.

A debit card may be used only if it is processed as a credit card payment (without the PIN). Credit card gift cards are also acceptable.

No, wire transfers are not accepted.

Yes, you or another individual may pay the application fee by credit card via the Graduate School Payment Portal, or by check/money order using the Application Fee Form.

This may happen if you hit the credit card payment button more than once while waiting for the fee payment to be processed. Check your credit card statement for duplicate payments. Typically, one transaction is only a hold and will resolve within 7-10 business days. If both transactions still appear on your account, please contact L-GRADFEE@LISTS.PSU.EDU.

Yes, you may be charged multiple times if you hit the credit card payment button more than once while waiting for the fee payment to be processed. If you don’t see a refund within 7-10 business days, please contact L-GRADFEE@LISTS.PSU.EDU.

Yes, an application and a fee is required for each application submitted.

IMPORTANT: You may only apply to one degree program at a time. If you submit additional degree applications, only your most recently submitted degree application will be reviewed.

You may check the status of your application, including receipt of references, documents and test scores, by logging into your existing account in the Graduate School application.  Once there, you will find a hyperlink labeled “status” that will allow you access this information.  You may also contact your intended plan of study.

Please contact your intended plan of study, as each plan has its own admission deadlines and processes.

The Graduate School reviews the application for academic admissibility when it is submitted; however, a recommendation for admission is made by the plan of study. Each plan has its own application review process and timeframe. Please contact your intended program/plan of study for more information.

You may check the status of your application, including receipt of references, documents and test scores, by logging into your existing account in the Graduate School application.  Once there, you will find a hyperlink labeled “status” that will allow you access this information.  You may also contact your intended program/plan of study.

You may check the status of your application, including receipt of references, documents and test scores, by logging into your existing account in the Graduate School application.  Once there, you will find a hyperlink labeled “status” that will allow you access this information.  You may also contact your intended plan of study.

You may check the status of your application, including receipt of references, documents and test scores, by logging into your existing account in the Graduate School application.  Once there, you will find a hyperlink labeled “status” that will allow you access this information.  You may also contact your intended plan of study.

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The academic calendar is maintained by the Office of the University Registrar.

Transfer students are subject to the same requirements for admission as regular students. They are required to submit Penn State’s Graduate School application, pay the application fee and submit official copies of their academic transcripts. In addition, students in a doctoral program at another institution would have to meet Penn State’s general requirements for doctoral degree which are residency, passing of a qualifying, comprehensive and final oral examination, and the writing of a satisfactory dissertation and its acceptance by the doctoral committee and the Graduate School.

You will need to complete a new graduate online application, pay the required application fee, and provide the required program documents. If you are reapplying to the same program, please contact your intended plan of study to determine if updated documents are necessary.

If required, English proficiency scores (TOEFL or IELTS) must be submitted prior to being offered admission. Please note that specific graduate plans of study may require all international applicants to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score, regardless of their academic background and country of origin, and may have more stringent requirements.

Acceptable Test Scores:

TOEFL

Internet-based test (iBT) - a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisional admission, with Graduate School approval, which requires completion of specified remedial English courses ESL 114G (American Oral English for Academic Purposes) and/or ESL 116G (ESL/Composition for Academic Disciplines) and attainment of a grade of B or higher within the first semester of enrollment.

IELTS – The minimum acceptable composite score for the IELTS Academic Test is 6.5. 

Exemptions from TOEFL/IELTS

International applicants who have received a baccalaureate or a graduate degree in certain countries are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement. For more information, view exemptions from English proficiency testing.

The plan of study will recommend your acceptance to the Graduate School. After final review by the Graduate School, you will receive formal notification of your admission. Questions concerning your admission or denial should be directed to your intended program/plan of study.

The graduate plan of study is responsible for sending its own refusal notifications.

Because admission is granted jointly by the Graduate School and the academic plan of study, you may be contacted by either office. Each plan of study has its own procedures for evaluating applications. The plans of study recommend admission to the Graduate School and the Graduate School, in turn, monitors procedures and minimum requirements and makes the final decision on your admission.

Plans of study set and enforce deadlines. Please check with your intended plan of study. International applicants must submit materials at least four months prior to the semester they plan to enroll; however, the application deadline for some plans of study is much earlier than this. All applicants should consult their intended plans of study for specific requirements.

Please contact your intended plan of study with this information. Official scores must be sent directly to Penn State from the appropriate reporting agency (ETS, Pearson Vue, etc.).

Students taking the GRE and TOEFL should use school code 2660 to send scores to Penn State.

Students taking the IELTS should select "Pennsylvania State University, University Park"

Students wishing to send MAT scores should select "Penn State University" or use school code 2609.

Students taking the GMAT should have their scores sent to Penn State University- University Park, if prompted select your plan of study and plan of study location.

You may check the status of your application, including receipt of references, documents and test scores, by logging into your existing account in the Graduate School application.  Once there, you will find a hyperlink labeled “status” that will allow you access this information.

Applicants can update their contact information at Penn State Account Management. Once updated on the Account Management site, that information should be updated on Graduate School systems shortly thereafter.

Please email gradschoolapp@psu.edu if you would like to adjust provided information after an application has been submitted.