Tuition Payments and Registration
International students must be registered full time (12 credits for undergraduates; 9 credits for graduate students) unless given prior approval from the Directorate of International Student Advising (DISA) to be less than full time. DISA reports all students who are not full time to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services within 21 days of the start of each semester.
Paying Your Tuition:
Tuition must be paid before the start of classes unless you have a Penn State scholarship or assistantship, or your tuition will be paid directly to the University by your sponsoring agency.
Accepted international students receive their tuition bill once they enroll and register for classes, typically in September for the fall semester.
- To become a registered student, you must first "schedule" classes after consulting with your academic department.
- Once classes are scheduled, you will receive an email stating that your bill is ready. It is important to note that you will not receive a paper invoice.
- Review payment options and pay your tuition bill.
- Once the tuition charges are confirmed paid, your status will move from “scheduled” to “registered.” Registration is completed ONLY upon receipt of tuition and fee payments to the University. For reporting purposes in the U.S. Government database SEVIS, students on F-1 and J-1 visas must be in “registered” status within 30 days of the program start date listed on their immigration document.
Tuition Due Dates
Billing begins in early August for fall semester, January for spring semester, and May for summer semester.
Learn more information about tuition due dates.
Methods of Payment:
Penn State offers a variety of ways for international students to pay their bill. Review the options below to find the best payment options for you.
In Person
Personally-funded students paying by cash, check, travelers checks, or money order can print the semester bill from LionPATH and submit it in person directly to the Bursar's Office, Room 8 Dawson Building. All checks and money orders must be made payable in U.S. dollars to Penn State University. Include your student ID number on the check.
By Mail
Personally-funded students paying with a check or money order can print the semester bill from LionPATH and mail it to the Penn State Bursar's Office,120 Ridge View Drive, Dunmore, PA 18512. All checks and money orders must be made payable in U.S. dollars to Penn State University. Include your student ID number on the check.
Online with a Credit Card
Students can pay tuition & fees online using MasterCard, Discover, or American Express credit cards through LionPATH, Penn State’s student information system. A receipt will be emailed to your PSU e-mail account. There is a convenience fee charged for each payment processed with a credit card and we do not accept credit card payments via mail, phone or in person. The credit card service fee is reviewed regularly and is subject to change. For the most up-to-date fee amount, visit the Bursar website.
Credit Card:
- Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express.
- There is a convenience fee for using a card. The credit card service fee is reviewed regularly and is subject to change. For the most up-to-date fee amount, visit the Bursar website.
- Please Note: If you are using a debit card attached to a checking account, there will still be a convenience fee. Please review and use the e-check method with your routing and account number if drawing from a checking account.
eCheck
Tuition can be paid online with an eCheck (electronic check) by logging in to the Student Center in LionPATH (Students) or the Student Account (Authorized Payers). Penn State has contracted with CASHNet to securely process online eCheck payments. Payments with an eCheck must be made from a personal checking account drawn on a US bank. An eCheck payment will appear on your monthly bank statement as PENN STATE UNIV PAYMENT. There is no fee to pay by eCheck.
International Wire Transfers
Penn State has partnered with Flywire to streamline wire transfers for our international students. With Flywire, you receive multilingual customer support and excellent foreign exchange rates, allowing you to pay in your home currency and save a significant amount of money, as compared to traditional banks. It's fast, simple and cost effective from any country - any time.
Students/families can track a payment from the moment it is initiated until it posts to the student account.
Visit Flywire website and enter your tuition amount, and immediately see how much money you will save. Once you initiate payment on Flywire, you will receive detailed instructions on how to transfer funds to Penn State. Flywire will keep you informed during every step in the process, including when funds have been delivered to Penn State.