- March 1st for all students new to Penn State
- April 15th for all students returning to Penn State
- May 1st for Pennsylvania residents who are interested in applying for the Pennsylvania State Grant.
Penn State Wilkes‑Barre is a short drive from the city of Wilkes‑Barre in beautiful Lehman Township. The campus is easily accessible from Interstates 80 and 81 or the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
We strongly recommend that you and your child visit our campus, either before applying or immediately after submitting an application. We will happily give you a tour of the campus, explain the application and admissions process, and and answer your questions. Our financial aid specialist will be happy to discuss any concerns you have about financing your child’s education.
We offer a variety of campus visits to meet your needs, from individual appointments to open houses, and Be A Penn Stater for a Day programs, learn more at our Visit Us page or call us at 570‑675‑9238. We’d love to hear from you!
Yes! Your child can easily apply to Penn State Wilkes‑Barre by submitting an online application.
In fact, we strongly recommend that future Penn State students complete their applications online. To do so, you will need to create a MyPennState account. MyPennState will take you through the Admissions process step by step and you can work on the online application and save it, then retrieve it at a later time for revision, completion, and/or submission. By creating a MyPennState profile, you will be able to log in and Apply for admission to Penn State, Check the status of your application, Schedule campus visits, Receive personalized application information, Accept your offer of admission, and Join our mailing list and access information about Penn State.
We recommend that applications for first‑year admission be submitted by November 30. Applications will be accepted after that and will be evaluated in a rolling fashion. Transfer admission applications should be submitted as soon as possible prior to the start of the desired semester, due to the lengthier evaluation of transfer credit process.
No, all students are evaluated in the same manner.
We don’t use the term “transfer” to describe the process of relocating from one campus location to another. That’s because at Penn State University, every campus location is equal. Every credit earned at a campus is equal to credits offered at University Park, and students who begin their studies at a campus location are on equal footing with their counterparts at University Park when it comes to Entrance to Major in the junior year.
At Penn State, the process of relocating from one campus to another is called Change of Location, and this typically takes place after completing the first two years of full‑time study toward a baccalaureate degree. Change of Location requests submitted prior to the completion of two years of study are only granted in extreme cases in which the student would not be able to meet the curricular requirements of the chosen major.
With an average class size of just 19 students, your son or daughter can easily keep in touch and develop strong relationships with faculty. All faculty keep office hours that are posted on our web site and outside their offices. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this time. In addition, email and the use of Canvas software by faculty and students has opened up new avenues of communication between students and faculty, making it even easier to stay in touch.
Yes! Penn State Wilkes‑Barre offers several bachelor’s and associate degrees that can be completed entirely at this campus.
In addition, students can complete the first two years of nearly all of Penn State’s 275+ degree programs at the Wilkes‑Barre campus, then complete their degree at Penn State University Park or at a variety of other Penn State campuses.
The Learning Center at Penn State Wilkes‑Barre is a resource for students who are having difficulty with a particular course as well as for students who aim to maintain a high academic standing. The Center provides help in writing, math, or any other subject. Students can request tutoring assistance, help with homework, study with other students, read between classes, and get tips on how to study. Assistance may be provided by a professional academic assistant or by a trained student assistant. All services are free. Read about other academic services available.
Penn State Wilkes‑Barre does not have on‑campus dormitories; however, private housing is available adjacent to the campus in the Nittany Commons Apartments and at other locations surrounding the campus.
Penn State is committed to providing access to a quality education for students including those with documented disabilities. For more information please contact our Disability Services Liaison, Meredith Cosgrove.
Penn State offers an excellent value for a quality education with a worldwide reputation for excellence. Penn State establishes tuition rates and fees for all students each year in July. To calculate the most accurate tuition for your child, consult the online Tuition Calculator.
Approximately two‑thirds of Penn State students benefit from financial aid programs to attend college. Many Penn State Wilkes‑Barre students receive financial aid through grants, loans, scholarships, and work opportunities.
To be considered for student aid, all Penn State students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Web. This is the only financial aid application Penn State requires.
003329. Although this number is described on the application as Penn State University Park’s code, it is actually used for the entire university, including all campuses. All financial aid is processed centrally through the Office of Student Aid at the University Park campus.
For maximum consideration of financial aid, we recommend you submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the following dates:
To qualify for in‑state tuition, your family needs to reside in Pennsylvania. Owning a house in Pennsylvania alone does not qualify a student for PA residency tuition. To change your child’s status from out‑of‑state to in‑state, you will need proof of residency, including PA income tax and Federal income tax forms for the most current year.
Due to federal regulations, parents do not have access to their child’s grades. Only if the student gives written permission to the Registrar’s office can grades be released to parents.
You or your child can request student enrollment verifications directly from the University Registrar by completing the Academic Verifications Form. A verification statement will be mailed to your home or to any requested address within 2–3 business days.
Penn State offers an Installment Payment Plan that allows you the convenience of splitting your tuition bill into three or four payments. Instructions for the Installment Payment Plan appear on the semester bill. A $45 administrative fee per semester is required.
The staff of Penn State Wilkes‑Barre’s Police & Public Safety department ensure a safe environment on campus. Police & Public Safety is also responsible for parking enforcement and traffic control.