Checksheet Inquiry to Enrollment
Application to Enrollment, Penn State Admissions Process
- Complete Application for Admission.
- Include a copy of your military transcript along with your admissions credentials.
- Receive Offer of Admission from Penn State.
- Pay Enrollment Fees. See Offer of admission or log into Friends of Penn State Account. (NB: The VA doesn’t pay these fees.)
- Complete your online math placement test (ALEKS). The invitation sent via email.
- First-year and new transfers, sign up for New Student Orientation (NSO).
- Complete your Preregistration Activity Guide and the Financial Responsibility Agreement in LionPATH.
- Change of campus and re-enrollment students, meet with your new adviser to schedule classes.
- Get Penn State Photo ID Card.
- First-year and new transfers, attend NSO, meet with your adviser, and schedule classes.
Getting Approved for your GI Bill Benefits
- Apply for your VA Education Benefits. Find the link to your correct application.
- Receive a letter in the mail from the VA. This is your Certificate of Eligibility and details of what benefits you are eligible to receive.
- Bring your Certificate of Eligibility to Penn State Altoona Office of Veterans Affairs in room C105 of the Smith Building.
- Also, submit the following documents:
- Veterans: Member 4 copy of DD214
- Guard/Reserve: Notice of Basic Eligibility (Form 2384-1) and Member 4 copy of DD214
- Voc Rehab: ask VA to submit Authorization (Form 28-1905)
- Spouse/Dependent: no documentation required other than the Certificate of Eligibility
Getting Financial Aid
ALL STUDENTS: apply for financial aid even if you don’t anticipate you will need it.
- Apply for Financial Aid at the FAFSA site.
- Our Title IV School Code is 003329. Apply by May 1 for maximum consideration.
- Consideration for some Penn State merit scholarships requires submission of the FAFSA.
Next Steps
Once a student has completed all of the steps outlined above, they should request to use their benefits for the current semester or future semesters.
- Make an appointment to speak to the School Certifying Official (SCO), Ms. Jean Lasinski, 814-949-5282. Submit your Eligibility paperwork (see Getting Approved for your GI Bill Benefits, above) if you have not already done so.
- Have an academic goal in mind. The VA will only pay for courses that meet outstanding degree requirements for your intended major.
- You may be undecided at Penn State, but you must select a major to receive your VA Education Benefits.
- Meet with the SCO and discuss your academic plan and scheduled courses. Make any necessary schedule adjustments to maximize your benefits.
- Complete the New Student Information Sheet, Certification Request Form (CRF), and run/print your Academic Requirements Report or What-If Report. See instructions on the reverse of CRF. Submit all paperwork to C105 Smith.
- Ask SCO if you are eligible for Priority Registration and the In-State Tuition Rate (if your residency is out-of-state).
- Contact the SCO before you make ANY schedule changes between now and the end of the semester.
- Once the SCO submits your paperwork to the VA, you will receive an email from the VA to your Penn State email account.
- Receive Award Letter via US Mail. Bring this document to C105 Smith.
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