Blue Comm Shield

Payment Options

Penn State accepts the following payment methods:

  • eCheck
  • Credit Card
  • International Payments
  • Check or Money Order
  • Payment Plans

Watch the AI-assisted video below to learn more about making payments to Penn State.

eCheck

Paying with an eCheck is a fast and convenient method to pay the tuition

Tuition can be paid online with an eCheck (electronic check) by logging in to  LionPATH (Students) or the Student Account (Authorized Payers). Penn State has contracted with Flywire to securely process online eCheck payments. Payments with an eCheck must be made from a personal checking account drawn on a US bank. There is no fee to pay by eCheck.

IMPORTANT: A bank debit card or credit card will NOT work when making eCheck payments. Your bank account number is not the same number that appears on your debit card. Only checks from regular checking accounts at U.S. domestic banks (including most credit unions) work for eCheck payments. Be sure to copy the routing/transit and account numbers very carefully from your check. If you are unsure as to whether or not your check can be used or what routing/transit and account numbers to enter, call your bank and ask them if your account can be used for ACH (Automated Clearing House), and verify the correct numbers you should use before you try to make your payment.

Location of bank routing and account number shown on image of a check

 

Please note:

  • If you enter incorrect values, have insufficient funds, or, if you attempt to use a check that is not from a regular U.S. domestic bank checking account, your transaction will be returned. All returned checking and savings payments are subject to a $25 returned item fee.
  • As a security measure, an unsuccessful payment attempt or attempts will result on the system placing an irrevocable negative service indicator on your student account, which will prevent you from using eCheck as payment option for the duration of your studies at Penn State.
  • Penn State reserves the right to cancel a future semester enrollment due to a returned payment on the student account.

Credit Card

Payments by credit card can be made online by logging in to LionPATH (Students) or the Student Account (Authorized Users). Penn State has contracted with Flywire to securely process online credit card payments. We cannot accept credit card payments via mail, phone, or in person. A 2.25% service fee applies to each payment made by credit card/debit card.

We accept:

  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • Discover
  • American Express

International Payments

Penn State has partnered with Flywire since 2012 and is the only option for sending international payments to Penn State. Flywire is widely recognized as one of the leading innovators in higher education payment solutions, and a trusted choice of students and institutions worldwide. 

 

Please note, for security reasons, Penn State does not provide bank information for direct wire transfers; therefore, all international payments should be submitted securely through Flywire. You can find this option directly within your student account in LionPATH. 

 

For a step-by-step walkthrough of the payment process, please view the "How to Make a Payment" AI-assisted video at the top of this page.

 

Why use Flywire?

  • Eliminate unexpected bank charges and ensure Penn State always receives the exact amount due, in full.

  • Flywire offers competitive foreign exchange rates, helping students and families significantly save money compared to traditional bank transfers.

  • Use secure, flexible options to pay from 240 countries and territories, in 140+ currencies.

  • Choose from convenient, local payment methods including bank transfers, e-wallets and more.

  • Take advantage of Flywire’s Best Price Guarantee for local bank transfers.

  • Track payments every step of the way via email and text alerts.

  • Access around-the-clock multilingual support directly from Flywire's Help Center via email, phone or live chat.

Information on region specific payments is available on Flywire's website. 

Check or Money Order

Attention - All students at all campuses

Your check or money order must be made payable to Penn State, include your Penn State Student ID, and be mailed to the address below for processing:

 

Penn State 

Office of the Bursar

103 Shields Building

664 Curtin Road

University Park, PA 16802

 

Important: Please allow 5 business days for payment to be processed after it is received. 

Payment Plans

You can pay the balance due on your student account in full by the due date or choose to enroll in a Payment Plan and pay your balance in monthly installments. To use this method of payment you need to enroll in Penn State's Installment Payment plan every semester. 

Watch the AI-assisted video below to learn more about the Payment Plan.

Number of Installments

  • Four (4) installment payments over four (4) months in fall and spring
  • Three (3) installment payments over three (3) months in summer
  • A $45 non-refundable administrative fee applies every semester you choose to enroll in the Payment Plan.

Payment Plan Due Dates

Fall Semester: 

  • 1st Installment Payment Due on August 31, 2026.
  • 2nd Installment Payment Due on September 22nd
  • 3rd Installment Payment Due on October 22nd
  • 4th Installment Payment Due on November 22nd

Spring Semester: 

  • 1st Installment Payment Due on January 22nd
  • 2nd Installment Payment Due on February 22nd
  • 3rd Installment Payment Due on March 22nd
  • 4th Installment Payment Due on April 22nd

Summer Semester:

  • 1st Installment Payment Due on May 22nd
  • 2nd Installment Payment Due on June 22nd
  • 3rd Installment Payment Due on July 22nd

Additional Fees

  • $45 non-refundable enrollment fee - Covers all administrative costs.

Payment Plan Details

  • Enrollment in the Payment Plan can only be completed online after logging in to the Student Account.
  • The $45 enrollment fee is due at the time of enrollment in the Payment Plan. The installments will be deducted on the scheduled installment dates.
  • The Installment Payment Plan is designed to accommodate only one payment plan per student per semester. Either the student or an Authorized User on the student account can enroll in the Payment Plan each semester. The person who enrolls in the Payment Plan (either the student or one of the student's Authorized Users) becomes the owner of the Plan. Only the owner of the plan can manage the Plan and payment method.
  • The installment payments are calculated on the balance due after financial aid has been reflected on the semester balance. Please note, external awards (i.e., outside scholarships) or other third-party payments that have not been posted to the student account will not be calculated into the plan installments.
  • All payments to satisfy the Payment Plan must be made online via the student account by the owner of the Payment Plan. All other payments and aid sources will only rebalance future installments of the Plan.
  • Students/Authorized Users enrolling in the Payment Plan can pay with either a credit card, an eCheck using a U.S. bank account, or Flywire International Payments. Please note that auto pay is required for credit card and eCheck for auto-deduction of the monthly installments, but not for Flywire international payments. A non-refundable service fee applies to all credit card payments.
  • The Payment Plan balance is regularly adjusted to match the student account balance. This process is called rebalancing, and it happens every month, about ten days prior to when each installment is processed. Rebalancing may result in an increase in the total amount due within the Payment Plan. Rebalancing will also consider any current semester anticipated financial aid displayed on the Account Summary and Account Activity tabs when it calculates the Payment Plan balance.
  • IMPORTANT: Non-compliance with the Payment Plan Agreement (non-payment, returned payments, etc.) will result in the removal from the Payment Plan, which will restrict the ability to continue to enroll in the Payment Plan for future semesters.

Who can enroll in the Payment Plan?

The Installment Payment Plan is designed to accommodate only one payment plan per student per semester. Either the student or an Authorized User on the student account can enroll in the Payment Plan each semester. 

The person who enrolls in the Payment Plan (either the student or one of the student's Authorized Users) becomes the owner of the Plan. Only the owner of the plan can manage the Plan and payment method.

When do I need to enroll in the Payment Plan?

Once the Student Account balance due date for a semester is available to view/pay (August for fall, January for spring, and May for summer), students and Authorized Users will receive an offer to enroll in the Payment Plan. The offer will also appear on the Account Summary and Payment Plans tabs.  The earlier you enroll in a plan, the more installments you can have (four in fall and spring, and three in summer), so be sure to note the expiration date on each offer.

Once enrolled, you will receive notification of your monthly installments in advance of their due dates.

What payment methods are accepted to enroll in the Payment Plan?

Students/Authorized Users enrolling in the Payment Plan can pay with either a credit card, an eCheck using a U.S. bank account, or Flywire international payments. 

Please note that auto pay is required for credit card and eCheck for auto-deduction of the monthly installments, but not for Flywire international payments (students must initiate their Flywire international payment and ensure it arrives to Penn State by the installment due date). A non-refundable service fee applies to all credit card payments.

Important: The Payment Plan payment amounts will be adjusted, accordingly, if changes made to the semester class schedule (add/drops) or aid adjustments result in an increase or decrease in the total amount due.

What happens if my installment payment is late?

Payment not received by the due date will result in a negative service indicator (financial hold) being placed on the account. 

Negative service indicators have multiple implications including not being able to register for a course/future semester, and if graduating a hold on receiving your diploma. Failure to make a payment by the due date may also result in the suspension of your Payment Plan and the assessment of a 1.5% late fee on the total outstanding balance.