REGISTRATION

Credit Loads

Graduate assistants (TA or RA) at the normal half-time level should register for 9-12 credits per semester. If absolutely necessary, more than 12 credits may be scheduled, however, during the following semester the student should register for less than 12 credits, so that for two consecutive semesters the total number of credits earned does not exceed 24. Students holding fellowships or other awards based on academic excellence are required to carry 9 or more credits each semester.

The above rules do not apply to Ph.D. students registered for 601 or 611 toward the close of their Penn State programs.

Completing Your Registration

The Penn State registration process consists of two steps. First, the student enrolls in specific courses. Secondly, the registration is complete upon receipt of payment of tuition and fees, or processing a zero bill if applicable.

The billing statement includes amount(s) due as well as possible credits resulting from applicable scholarships, loans, grants and other forms of financial assistance. In some cases, because of the possible financial credits, a student may not be required to make payment to the University. In other cases, a student may be due a refund from the University. In all cases, regardless of amount due, all graduate students must file an estimated bill each semester. If a student is receiving an assistantship or fellowship, it is imperative that it be indicated on the portion of the bill to be returned to the Office of the Bursar, 103 Shields. You may also now phone in this information. See the directions accompanying your bill.

Failure to complete the registration process may result in any or all of the following actions:

• You will not receive grades for courses you are attending.
• You will be unable to enroll for future semesters.
• Your Penn State Computer Access Account will be suspended.
• If you receive student loans, you may enter a repayment status with your lender.
• If you receive student aid, some of the aid sources may be cancelled and will be unavailable for reinstatement at a later date.
• If you are living in University Housing, you will need to vacate your housing.
• Starting with the first day of the semester you will not be allowed to add courses.
• If you receive a Federal Work Study award, you will not be eligible for employment.
• Faculty members are not obligated to provide instruction or administer assessment for the student.

Registration Near the Completion of a Program

A candidate for the Ph.D. degree is required to register continuously for each semester from the time the comprehensive examination is passed and the two-semester residence requirement is met until the thesis is accepted by the doctoral committee, regardless of whether work is being done on the thesis during this interval. (See Graduate Bulletin: Registration and Continuous Registration under Requirements.)

It should be noted, moreover, that: (a) proper registration (see Graduate Bulletin: Registration) is expected of all graduate students; (b) graduate assistants must carry the prescribed credit loads (see Graduate Bulletin: Credit Loads and Academic Status); and (c) because of visa document considerations, international students typically will register every semester, no matter what their degree objectives.

 A master's candidate is not required to register for the final semester in order to graduate or in order to make minor revision to the thesis and/or to take a final examination for the degree, unless required to do so by the program.

A candidate for the Ph.D. degree is required to register continuously for each semester from the time the comprehensive examination is passed and the two-semester residence requirement is met until the dissertation is accepted by the doctoral committee, regardless of whether work is being done on the dissertation during this interval