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 / Enrollment Service Center PRIOR to requesting in-state tuition, as other financial aid 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 for in-state tuition eligibility based on updated legislation will be reviewed as follows:

  • Current students: Office of the Bursar
  • Prospective students (all students are prospective until first day of class): Office of Veterans Programs
For Prospective Students
If Pennsylvania is your or your parent’s current home of record or duty station, please contact the Office of Admissions directly by email at admissions@psu.edu with the subject line Military Residency.

If you or your parents are located outside Pennsylvania: Follow the steps below:

  1. Complete the Student Letter

Download and complete the Student Letter – Military Residency.

  1. Upload Supporting Documents

Upload your completed student letter and supporting documents through Military Connected In-State Residency Supporting Documents

  1. Email Office of Veterans Programs

Email OVP@psu.edu with the subject line Military Residency to let us know you have submitted your request and uploaded your documents, or if you have questions.

Please do not attach supporting documents to the email. Include:

  • Student’s full name and PSU ID
  • A statement requesting a review of in-state tuition based on military-connected, veteran, spouse, or dependent status

Estimated review time: 1–2 weeks

Download Prospective Student-In-State Tuition Flyer

In-state tuition - prospective student - 091626-no logo-24.png

For Current Students

Steps to Submit:

  1. Download and complete the student letter: Student Letter – Military Residency
  2. Follow the tutorial below to submit residency documentation for tuition reclassification.

To submit residency documentation for tuition reclassification,

Students must have the Penn State Global Protect VPN in order to securely upload documents for the Residency Review. Information and instructions on how to download GlobalProtect.
  1. Go to website : https://www.bursar.psu.edu/  , and select Residency under Current Students.

A-Residency under Current Student.png

     B. On the Residency Policy page, find Review of Classification and click Residency Policy

 B -Residency Policy.png

     C. Under Undergraduate Student content, click Residency Review

C -Residency Review.png

     D. You’ll be taken to the submission page.

D-Residency Sumit Page.png

 Important: All fields marked with an asterisk (*) require a document upload. Upload the required document(s) or a blank page if a document does not apply to your situation.

  1. Upload the completed student letter along with the required documentation.

 Estimated review time: 4–8 weeks

Download Current Student-In-State Tuition Flyer

In-state tuition - current student - 091726.png

 Supporting Documentation (Choose based on your situation)
  • If student is a Veteran:

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

  • If student is an Active-Duty Service Member and or National Guard / Reservist:

☐ Command Letter from commanding officer and or

☐ Recent Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)

  • If student is a Spouse or dependent child:

1) Your sponsor documentation: Veteran (DD-214) or Active-Duty Service Member (LES) 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

In-state tuition - document support - 091726.png

Download student in-state tuition letter