Affordability Resources

Penn State Altoona is expanding the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) to reduce textbook costs without compromising academic quality. In partnership with the Eiche Library, faculty are identifying existing resources and adopting or creating low- and no-cost course materials.

Through the Digital Equity Initiative, students can borrow PCs, Macs, iPads, and calculators.

• Short-term loans: The Eiche Library offers laptops for four-hour loans, along with audio and video equipment for varying loan periods.
• Long-term loans: Students may borrow a laptop, iPad, or calculator by visiting the Information Technology Service Desk in the Computer Center, 234 Hawthorn Building. Computers are available for checkout, along with Microsoft Office, iPads, Apple Pencils, graphing calculators, and scientific calculators. Long-term loans may be available for up to one semester.

As food costs rise, food insecurity affects more college students. Ivyside Eats provides students with food and hygiene products at no cost. Students must provide their Penn State ID; no additional information is required.

Located in room C112 of the Smith Building, the pantry is open during regularly scheduled walk-in hours or by appointment. Donations of all types are accepted. Contact [email protected] to donate.

Career Services' Career Closet provides Penn State Altoona students with professional attire at no cost. Students may borrow clothing for interviews, career fairs, class presentations, and other professional events. Currently enrolled students can schedule an appointment to visit the Career Closet, try on items, and borrow clothing for an event. Afterward, students return the items to Career Services; dry cleaning is provided.

Secondhand Lion, located in W116 Smith Building, is an on-campus thrift shop where all items are free for students. The shop offers clothing, shoes, accessories, career attire, outerwear, bedding, towels, and décor. Contact Penny Harding at [email protected] to schedule a visit.

Don’t spend your time and money driving home between classes. Students can utilize communal spaces to study, unwind, or connect with friends. These include the Fireside and Pond View Lounges in the Slep Student Center, the Belonging Center in room C112 of the Smith Building, the Commuter and Veterans Lounges in room W110 of the Smith Building, and the Titelman Study of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts.

Free tutoring helps Penn State Altoona students succeed academically. The Tutoring Center is in the Student Success Center, room 125, on the first floor of the Eiche Library. Professional tutors and discipline instructors provide tutoring during the fall and spring semesters, and peer tutoring is also available. Peer tutors have completed the course and tutor training.

Penn State Altoona offers numerous opportunities to explore the arts, including a dance ensemble, vocal ensembles, a jazz band, visual art gallery exhibits, theatre productions, and readings of poetry and prose. Most of these performances and exhibits are free and open to the public, and many take place in the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts, home of the 400-seat Wolf Kuhn Theatre, a dance studio, and the Sheetz and McLanahan art galleries.