I've been accepted... Now what?
Congratulations, and welcome to Penn State New Kensington!
We understand how overwhelming the process of enrolling in college can be, and that’s why we created this simple, step-by-step checklist to assist you. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!
Step-by-Step Checklist
- Attend an Accepted Student Program.
- Submit the FAFSA.
- Verify the processing of your FAFSA by reviewing the Student Aid Report (SAR).
- Receive your student aid award notification.
- Sign your Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note and apply for additional funding, if necessary.
- Respond to your offer of admission by paying the acceptance fee and general deposit.
- Take the online ALEKS placement test.
- Upload Your Immunization Records.
- Participate in New Student Orientation (NSO).
- Receive your semester bill electronically.
- Pay your semester bill.
- Participate in New Student Days (NSD).
Attend an Accepted Student Program.
You will be invited to attend an Accepted Student Program where you will have an opportunity to meet with campus faculty and staff, enjoy food, take a campus tour, and meet other students who have been accepted to Penn State New Kensington. Let's celebrate your achievements!
Submit the FAFSA.
We recommend that new students submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by January 31 for first-year students and Transfer students and April 15 for returning students for maximum consideration of aid. If you haven't already done so, go online and submit your FAFSA using Penn State's Federal School Code 003329. The FAFSA becomes available October 1 prior to the academic year the student will begin classes. **The 2024-25 FAFSA will be available in December 2024.
Verify the processing of your FAFSA by reviewing the Student Aid Report (SAR).
In order for your FAFSA to process and be sent to Penn State, you must verify that all the information is correct. A few days to a week after you submit your FAFSA online, you will be sent an email prompting you to log back into FAFSA's website to view your Student Aid Report or SAR. The SAR consists of all your answers to the FAFSA questions, and this is your chance to verify that you haven't made any mistakes. Once you verify all information is correct, your FAFSA will process and be sent to Penn State. It's important that you don't miss this step!
Receive your student aid award notification.
Beginning mid-February, Penn State sends out notifications to all accepted students regarding the student aid they are receiving. After notifications begin, emails are sent out weekly depending on when students complete the FAFSA and are accepted. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about your financial aid. Parents will need to have delegated access for us to answer specifics about the student's financial aid. Call 724-334-6046 or 724-334-6047 for the Financial Aid department.
Sign your Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note and apply for additional funding, if necessary.
If you are borrowing money through a Federal Stafford Loan, you will need to sign your Master Promissory Note before your loans disburse. First time borrowers will also need to complete the entrance counseling. If you find you need additional funding, our office can help you find private alternative loan sources you can explore. The important thing to remember as you work through this process is that we're here to help. Make sure you contact us as questions arise.
Respond to your offer of admission by paying the acceptance fee and general deposit.
The $230 non-refundable fee is your way of telling us you're coming to Penn State! We request that you pay your acceptance fee by May 1, but the sooner you commit, the sooner you can get started on the new student testing and advising process. You can pay your acceptance fee online through your MyPennState account.
Take the online ALEKS placement test.
Beginning in March, students who have paid their acceptance fees will receive an email with information about how to go online and take the ALEKS math placement test. Students who have taken calculus in high school will not need to take the ALEKS math placement test. (If you have AP credits, please have the college send a transcript or send AP test scores so your advisor can schedule you in the appropriate math and science classes).
If you did not have calculus in high school, you will be required to take the ALEKS math placement test. You can take the ALEKS test from home, and after we receive your scores, you will be prompted to select your New Student Orientation (NSO) date. The test will let us know the appropriate math and science courses to place you into. If you do not take the ALEKS test prior to NSO, you will not be able to schedule math and science classes at the NSO advisory appointment.
Transfer students may or may not be required to take the ALEKS assessment. If you're not sure if you need to test, contact the Academic and Career Success Center.
Your NSO Tasklist will provide you with a personalized message stating whether ALEKS is required for you.
Upload Your Immunization Records.
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.
Important Immunization Requirements for All Incoming Students
Additionally, the University strongly urges all students to be immunized against COVID-19 (primary series and booster).
To submit: log in to myUHS using your Penn State access credentials, and upload image files of your official immunization records and, if applicable, any positive antibody titer blood test results.
Immunization requirements are applicable to all undergraduate and graduate students at University Park and Commonwealth Campuses excluding World Campus and Great Valley. Immunization records only need to be submitted once. For questions or more information, visit the University Health Services website.
Some students, such as student-athletes or students in certain health-related majors may be asked to submit immunization information. These students must also submit official immunization records using the process below.
Visit http://studentaffairs.liashapiro.com/submit-immunizations to upload your medical record.
Participate in New Student Orientation (NSO).
New Student Orientation (NSO) will introduce you to the academic and social aspects Penn State. You won't be able to participate in orientation and schedule until you pay your acceptance fees and take the ALEKS math placement test (if applicable). Please visit orientation.liashapiro.com/participate for the latest information
Receive your semester bill electronically.
Your bill will be generated once you schedule courses. Tuition is not officially set until July, and bills start going out in August and are due by the first day of class. There is a complete list of bill due dates online via the Bursar's website. You will be able to view and print your bill online, set up payment plans and approve authorized payers. You'll also learn how to go through this process during New Student Orientation (NSO).
Pay your semester bill.
You can make bill payments in several different ways. For a listing of payment options, payment plans and approved methods of payment, visit the Bursar's website. You can pay your bill online, and you'll also learn how to do this during New Student Orientation (NSO). You can contact the Penn State New Kensington Bursar's Office directly at 724-334-6023 with any questions you may have.
Participate in New Student Days (NSD).
New Student Days (NSD) are the final two days of the orientation process. These two days include New Student Academic Convocation, academic program meetings, team building and small group workshops led by faculty and new student orientation leaders. You'll have an opportunity to meet all the incoming students and see what life will be like at Penn State New Kensington. New Student Days typically take place the week before the start of classes in August, and is a required event for first year students. Throughout the summer, you will receive information regarding specific dates and times for orientation and related activities.
