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.

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.

Requests to determine eligibility

Requests to determine eligibility for in-state tuition based upon this updated legislation will be reviewed by the Office of Veterans Programs. Requests should be sent via email to ovp@psu.edu and include the following:

Student’s Name and PSU ID
Indication of the request for review for in-state tuition based on veteran or dependent status
Supporting documentation (SSN must be redacted)

Acceptable documentation

Acceptable documentation may include, but is not limited to, the following:

DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty - Member 4 copy showing the branch of service and character of discharge
Active Duty service members can provide a command letter
Department of Defense documentation showing civilian employment transfer to, and residency in, Pennsylvania
If the Penn State student is a spouse or child of the service member or Department of Defense personnel, dependent status must be confirmed. Provide one of the following:
- DD 1172-2 Application for Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment
- DD 93 Record of Emergency Data
- VA dependents list from va.gov
  - Instructions to access this included below
- Most recent federal tax form showing student claimed as dependent
- Other appropriate documentation to confirm veteran or 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.