Parents’ Frequently Asked Questions
- We're considering Penn State Wilkes-Barre as our child's college choice. Do you recommend visiting the campus before applying, and how can we arrange a visit?
- Can my child apply to Penn State Wilkes-Barre online?
- When should my child submit her/his application for admissions?
- Will it help if a family member graduated from Penn State?
- How will Penn State Wilkes-Barre notify my child of its decision regarding the application for admission?
- Are admission requirements for out-of-state students different than those for in-state students?
- When will my child need to "transfer" to University Park campus?
- How much access will my child have to faculty?
- Can my child start and finish his/her entire education at Penn State Wilkes-Barre?
- Is help available if my child is having trouble in class?
- Can my child live on campus, and if so, can he/she bring a car?
- My child has a disability. Whom should we contact at Penn State Wilkes-Barre to discuss disability issues?
- How much does it cost to attend Penn State Wilkes-Barre?
- How can I find out if my child is eligible for financial aid?
- What is the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Federal school code number?
- What is the deadline for applying for financial aid?
- If we own a house in Pennsylvania, are we eligible for PA residency?
- Will I have access to my child's grades?
- How can I notify my health insurance company that my child is a full-time student?
- What if I cannot pay my child's tuition bill by the due date?
- How safe is the campus?
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Q: We're considering Penn State Wilkes-Barre as our child's college choice. Do you recommend visiting the campus before applying, and how can we arrange a visit?
A: 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 coordinator 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 www.wb.psu.edu/visit-us or call us at 570-675-9238. We’d love to hear from you!
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Q: Can my child apply to Penn State Wilkes-Barre online?
A: 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.
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Q: When should my child submit her/his application for admissions?
A: 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.
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Q: Will it help if a family member graduated from Penn State?
A: If a parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse or child is an alumnus/na of Penn State, this will be taken into consideration.
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Q: How will Penn State Wilkes-Barre notify my child of its decision regarding the application for admission?
A: All students are notified through the mail regarding the outcome of the application evaluation. Students may also check their MyPennState account for an admissions decision.
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Q: Are admission requirements for out-of-state students different than those for in-state students?
A: No, all students are evaluated in the same manner.
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Q: When will my child need to transfer to University Park campus?
A: 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.
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Q: How much access will my child have to faculty?
A: 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, e-mail and the use of Angel software by faculty and students has opened up new avenues of communication between students and faculty, making it even easier to stay in touch.
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Q: Can my child start and finish his/her entire education at Penn State Wilkes-Barre?
A: Yes! Penn State Wilkes-Barre offers eight bachelor's and four associate degrees that can be completed entirely at this campus.
Students interested in one of the more than 160 degree programs offered by the University, can complete the first two years of nearly all of Penn State's 160 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.
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Q: Is help available if my child is having trouble in class?
A: 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.
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Q: Can my child live on campus, and if so, can he/she bring a car?
A: Penn State Wilkes-Barre does not have on-campus dormitories, however, private housing is available adjacent to the campus in the Nittany Woodlands Apartments and at other locations surrounding the campus.
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Q: My child has a disability. Whom should we contact at Penn State Wilkes-Barre to discuss disability issues?
A: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, Sarah Luvender at 570-675-9282.
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Q: How much does it cost to attend Penn State Wilkes-Barre?
A: 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.
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Q: How can I find out if my child is eligible for financial aid?
A: 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.
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Q: What is the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Federal school code number?
A: 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.
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Q: What is the deadline for applying for financial aid?
A: For maximum consideration of financial aid, we recommend you submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the following dates:
- 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.
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Q: If we own a house in Pennsylvania, are we eligible for PA residency?
A: 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.
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Q: Will I have access to my child’s grades?
A: 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.
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Q: How can I notify my health insurance company that my child is a full-time student?
A: 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.
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Q: What if I cannot pay my child’s tuition bill by the due date?
A: Penn State offers a Deferred Payment Plan that allows you the convenience of splitting your tuition bill into three payments. Instructions for the Deferred Payment Plan appear on the semester bill. A $45 fee per semester is required.
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A: 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.
