Qualifying for In-State Tuition

Recent state legislation now requires public institutions of higher learning, State-related institutions, State-owned institutions, and private institutions in Pennsylvania to charge resident tuition rates to veterans, their spouses and dependent children who do not currently reside in Pennsylvania.

Resident tuition

Resident tuition rates will also be extended to guard/reservists/active-duty members and their spouses and dependent children regardless of residency, as well as any 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. Please see the full act located on the Pennsylvania General Assembly website.

Please check with the Office of Student Aid PRIOR to requesting in-state tuition, as other federal aid source amounts may be impacted by the decrease in cost of attendance.

World Campus students, please note that you are charged an in-state tuition rate regardless of residency, therefore, no action is required on your part.

Please note that students using any component of VA Education benefits already receive in-state tuition, therefore, no action is required on your part.

According to Penn State’s policy regarding residency appeals, the request must come from the student. This’s an excerpt from the policy: While supporting letters from parents or guardians can be included in the appeal for the Committee’s consideration, absent extraordinary circumstances, the student must be the individual to submit the request for appeal. The University will not entertain appeals submitted by a parent or legal guardian.

Requests to determine eligibility

Requests to determine eligibility for in-state tuition based on the updated legislation will be reviewed by the Office of Veterans Programs for current students and by the Office of Admissions for prospective students.

Requests should be sent via email to:

For Prospective Students: admissions@psu.edu (Subject line: Military Residency, please do not attach supporting documents to an email)
For Current Students: ovp@psu.edu

The request must come from the student and include the following:

Student’s name and PSU ID
A statement indicating the request for review of in-state tuition based on veteran or dependent status
Supporting documentation (with SSN redacted)

Supporting Documentation (Choose based on your situation)

If You Are a Veteran:

☐ DD 214 – Member 4 or Service 2 copy showing branch, service dates, and discharge status (SSN redacted)

If You Are an Active-Duty Service Member and or National Guard / Reservist:

☐ Command Letter from commanding officer and or

☐ Recent Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)

If You Are a Spouse or Dependent:

1) Your sponsor documentation (Veteran or Active-Duty Service Member and or National Guard Reservist) and

2) Dependent support documentation, provide one of the following:

☐ DD 1172-2 – A completed DEERS Enrollment Form or a military ID (Front and back)

☐ DD 93 – Record of Emergency Data

☐ VA Dependents List from VA.gov

☐ Most Recent Federal Tax Form showing student claimed as dependent (SSN redacted)

☐ Birth Certificate or other documentation confirming dependent status

Access to VA Dependents List

How to access the VA dependents list from va.gov:

Access the VA Portal:
- Open your web browser and go to VA.gov.
Log in:
- Sign in using your VA account credentials.
Navigate to ‘Dependents’:
- Once logged in, click on your name in the top right corner, then select the "Dependents" option from the dropdown menu.
Print 'Your VA Dependents':
- On the dependents screen, you can either print the page directly or choose "Print to PDF" to save a digital copy for verification.