Tuition and Financial Aid

A smart investment yields a good return. That's what our students get when they choose Penn State Altoona. The financial investment students and their families make helps students receive the education they need to find a career they'll love.

Employers hire our graduates because they trust a Penn State education. In fact, the Wall Street Journal named Penn State as the number one overall institution in the nation for producing the best-prepared and well-rounded graduates.

The Lion Shrine on the Penn State Altoona campus

Schedule an Appointment

The Office of Financial Aid is available for in-person and virtual consultations Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Current students can schedule a virtual appointment using Starfish. Contact the Financial Aid office by phone at 814-949-5055 or by email.

The Nittany Lion mascot holding up a sign reading Welcome to Penn State Altoona

Financial Aid New Student Orientation

Welcome to Penn State Altoona! Check out our New Student Orientation (NSO) information, including information about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), required verification, and tutorials on applying for specific loans and grants.

File folders with types of financial aid as labels

Types of Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid provides support for Penn State Altoona students who receive one or more of the four basic types of financial aid as well as students who qualify for veterans benefits and summer aid.

Image of a FAFSA form

Financial Aid Basics

NOTE: All students attending Penn State for the 2024-25 academic year should enter the school code 003329 when filing the 2024-25 FAFSA at studentaid.gov.

Find out what you need to know about financial aid, including Penn State's admission and financial aid timeline, tips for students and families, financial aid resources, and Penn State's satisfactory academic progress policy.

Using a calculator to add up college expenses

Tuition and Costs

The estimated direct costs provided on this site are for students studying during the 2023-2024 academic year. Tuition, fees, and room and board are billed by semester; bills are due in August for the fall semester and December for the spring semester.

Sign outside the Smith Building at Penn State Altoona

Office of Financial Aid

We’re happy to help our students and their families explore their financial options when deciding how to fund college costs. Contact us at 814-949-5055 or by email.