Welcome to the Penn State family!

Congratulations on your offer of admission! This is an exciting time for you as you prepare to come to Penn State Shenango. Your offer is a big part of that journey, but your job isn't over. Now that you have your offer letter in hand, there are several steps you need to take. 

Three shenango students walking past Nittany Lion shrine

Accept your offer to Penn State

After all that waiting, an offer of admission has finally appeared in MyPennState - congratulations! Make sure you review your offer closely, as it outlines your intended area of study, starting term, and your starting campus.

Make sure you accept your offer of admission by May 1 to ensure your student aid package and class schedule are unaffected. 

Accept your offer to Penn State
laptop with hand hovering over trackpad

Apply for financial aid

You can access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov after October 1. The priority filing deadline for Penn State is December 1, but students can still send in their FAFSA after this date. Penn State's FAFSA code is 003329 for all campuses. 

Students begin to receive their aid award notifications in early February.

Start your FAFSA
Penn State Shenango food court with students at tables

Choose a commuter meal plan

As an option, Penn State offers commuter students two meal plan levels to enjoy at Shenango's Lion's Den Food Court. Review plan levels, billing information, food discounts, and more on our id+ Card's website. 

Meal plans
Student at Penn State Shenango

Consider off-campus housing

While Penn State Shenango does not offer on-campus housing, there are many options in our surrounding communities to rent. For a list of public and public facilities, please contact Student Affairs. 

It is not the University's responsibility to ensure potential landlords are in compliance with any local or federal regulations. By providing an off-campus housing list, the University is only conveying information and is not vetting the landlords in any way. Each student's off-campus housing contract is between the landlord and the student, and the University is not a party to this agreement or relationship.

Contact Student Affairs
Student at orientation

Prepare for orientation

Penn State Shenango hosts several New Student (NSO) and Transfer Student (TSO) orientations in the months before the semester begins. Our Academic and Career Planning Services center works to be the first to welcome you and your family to campus as an official Penn Stater! 

Before orientation, you will be assigned a Tasklist. Keep a close eye on your email to navigate items that are unique to the steps you need to take before and after attending an orientation date. 

At orientation, you will meet your adviser, schedule classes, meet classmates, and learn about student life offerings. 

Shenango orientation programs
Shenango student in academic advising meeting with adviser

Finalize your academic records

Ensure you review any transfer credits and credits you hoped to earn by evaluation or experience, like an AP test, dual enrollment credits, or military work. In your offer letter you should have received information about how to transfer these items to Penn State, or instructions on how to submit more information. 

In addition, we will need your final official high school transcript from your guidance office that includes the date of your graduation. 

Two students walking to class outside

Submit proof of immunizations

All incoming Penn State students must provide proof of immunization against measles, mumps and rubella. In accordance with Pennsylvania state law, students living in on-campus housing must also provide proof of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menveo, Menactra, MCV4), which protects against infections caused by serogroups A, C, W and Y.

Immunization Submission Directions
Student working with faculty member in Penn State Shenango classroom

Finalize student aid

Review your aid package closely as soon as you receive it so you and your family can make decisions about applying for additional scholarships, grants, or loans. 

Grant your parents delegated access to view your aid package in LionPATH. 

After you submit your FAFSA, complete any Student Aid Report steps that may be emailed to you. These are typically confirmation and verification actions. 

Sign your loan Master Promissory Note if you are borrowing money through a Federal Stafford Loan and complete entrance counseling to disburse funds. 

Contact Shenango's Student Aid officer with any questions about applying for additional aid, like a Parent Plus Loan. 

Penn State Shenango student working on robot

Pay your bill

Semester bills typically arrive about 6 weeks prior to the start of classes (by late July for the fall semester) and can be paid online through your LionPATH account. You will receive an email when your bill is ready; and if you have questions on your bill or payment plan options, you can contact our campus Bursar for more information. 

Penn State Shenango campus pedestrian mall with two students on bench and another walking to class

Get ready for your first day

We are so excited you've decided to start your Penn State story! 

With access to the whole Penn State system, there's no shortage of resources to get started. We recommend you reference this list to ensure you're ready for your first day.