Students on campus

First-Year Applicants

First-Year Applicants

Congratulations on deciding to learn more about earning your college degree!

Although there are a number of steps involved with applying to and enrolling at Penn State, the process does not have to be complicated. Fortunately, the admissions and financial aid offices at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus are here to assist you!

Who qualifies as a first-year applicant?

Typically, you would qualify as a first-year applicant if you fit into one of the following categories:

  1. You are currently a traditional-aged high school student applying to college for the first time,
  2. You previously earned your high school diploma or equivalency (GED) but never enrolled at any college or university,
  3. You previously earned your high school diploma or equivalency (GED) but attempted fewer than 18 credits while attending college

Typically, any college credits you earn while still enrolled as a full-time high school student do not change your status as a first-year applicant. Penn State will consider transferring college credits earned in high school to Penn State even if you qualify as a first-year applicant.

If you do not fall into one of the categories listed above, you may want to view our webpages for Adult or Non-Traditional Applicants, Military Veterans, Transfer Applicants, or International Applicants.

What are my options for earning a degree at Penn State Fayette?

Penn State University offers several options for earning a degree.

First, Penn State Fayette offers both 4-year bachelors and 2-year associate degrees. In addition, for our 4-year bachelors degree programs, students typically have flexibility as to where they complete their degree:

  1. Students can apply to spend all four years at the University Park campus.
  2. Students can apply to spend all four years at the Fayette campus.
  3. Students can apply for Penn State’s 2+2 Plan and begin their first two years at Penn State Fayette before transitioning to another Penn State campus for their final two years.
  4. Students can apply to spend all two years of an associate degree at the Fayette campus.

I attended Penn State as a full-time student previously, do I have to re-apply?

If you were previously admitted to a degree-seeking program at Penn State and successfully earned credits towards your degree, you would be classified as a Re-Enrolling Student.

Re-Enrolling Students do not have to re-apply for admission to Penn State. You can find more information on the re-enrollment process here.