Frequently Asked Questions about the Per-Credit Tuition Model

There are three new initiatives:

1. Three years of a discounted tuition rate:
   • 7 percent discount in the first year (2016–17),
   • 4 percent discount in the second year (2017–18), and
   • 1 percent discount in the third year (2018–19);
2. the Academic Success Initiative; and
3. a Need-Based Grant

Yes, per-credit tuition for summer and winter terms will follow the same discount (7 percent, 4 percent, and 1 percent).

The Need-Based Grant is available to continuing undergraduate students who domicile in Pennsylvania, who are financially qualified, and who have been enrolled full-time for at least one semester in either of the previous two academic years.

No, you do not need to apply. However, you must submit a FAFSA each academic year in order to be considered and must meet the qualifications, including maintaining satisfactory academic progress. As always, contact the Office of Financial Aid (724-357-2218) for any questions or concerns about your educational funding.

Students receiving federal student aid must pass at least 67 percent of the credits for which they originally registered within the time frame for degree completion, and have a 2.00 cumulative grade point average to be considered to be maintaining successful academic progress. This is a cumulative measurement and is performed annually. Students who do not meet this requirement are permitted to appeal to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. Complete details of IUP’s academic progress requirements are available in the Title IV Financial Aid Sufficient Progress Policy.

The Academic Success Initiative scholarship is available to continuing undergraduate students who domicile in Pennsylvania, who successfully complete 15 credit hours (earn 15 credits) at IUP in each of the two prior semesters (or 30 credits in the previous year), who have no withdrawals on their record for the previous two semesters, and who have not yet completed 120 credit hours. Students who meet these qualifications and who have a grade point average between 3.0 and 3.49 are eligible for a scholarship equal to the tuition cost of one credit hour; students who meet these qualifications and who have a grade point average of 3.5 or above are eligible for a scholarship equal to the tuition cost of two credit hours.

No, students do not need to apply for this funding. A student’s official university records will be used to automatically determine whether a student is eligible for this award; students need not do anything but work hard and do well.

No. Under each of these programs, the Need-Based Grant and the Academic Success Initiative, a student may receive awards up to the value of 2 credit hours of tuition under each program in one academic year. It is not an award for each semester. However, a student may qualify for both programs and can receive funding through both programs in one academic year.

In addition to the discounted tuition rate for the first three years, a student may receive awards up to the value of 2 credits of tuition under each program in one academic year. It is not an award for each semester.

This calculation is based on credit hours that a student has earned in fall, winter, and spring terms. Credit hours earned during summer sessions are not included in this calculation.

Yes, this tuition pricing flexibility program will be for all resident undergraduate students who domicile in Pennsylvania, including incoming freshmen and continuing students.

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors sets the tuition rate for all 14 member schools at its July meeting.

No, this per-credit tuition plan affects only undergraduate students who domicile in Pennsylvania.

Using the current 2016–17 undergraduate tuition rates, students who domicile in Pennsylvania and take 12 to 15 credits would pay the full-time tuition rate of $3,624. Under the per-credit tuition pricing pilot, 2017–18 tuition for 12 credits for undergraduate students who domicile in Pennsylvania would be $3,480 (4 percent discount), and tuition for 15 credits would be $4,350. This does not include any additional support a student receives from the Need-Based Grant or Academic Success Initiative, should you qualify for these program. The Board of Governors will set new tuition rates for 2017–18 in July 2017, and these numbers will be updated appropriately.

Tuition is assessed based on each student’s level. If a student is still an undergraduate student and has not yet received his or her first degree, that student will be charged tuition based on the undergraduate per-credit rate. If a student has received his or her undergraduate degree and achieved graduate status, all tuition costs will be charged on the graduate per-credit basis.

Most fees will be charged as they have been in the past. For example, the technology fee and instructional fees will be capped at the full-time undergraduate rate, regardless of whether a student is taking 12 credits or 18 credits. 

Yes. Your tuition charge will reflect the new per-credit tuition charge.

You will be eligible for the Academic Success Initiative award if you meet the criteria for that award. You will not be eligible for the Need-Based Grant. 

You will receive notification of the award(s) from the Office of Financial Aid around mid-June.

Yes, if you are an undergraduate student who domiciles in Pennsylvania, you will be assessed the per-credit tuition rate for the course in the term for which you repeat the class.

Yes, if you are an undergraduate student who domiciles in Pennsylvania, you will be assessed the per-credit tuition rate for the course.

The Pennsylvania TAP Commission will do a conversion based on IUP’s per-credit tuition rate.

Students and families can contact the Office of the Bursar via e-mail at bursars-office@iup.edu or by telephone at (724) 357-2207.

Not necessarily. Starting in fall 2016, the Music Department may, at their discretion, allow students to enroll in 0-credit ensembles should the student’s credit load for the semester be 12 credits or greater. If there is no credit earned with the ensemble, the student does not pay, but will be recognized as participating in the ensemble in terms of academic requirements for the major.

Not at this time, but you are encouraged to do well and remain registered so that you meet the requirements and may be considered for the awards in your sophomore year.

• IUP Grant: enrolled full-time for at least one semester in either of the previous two academic years, and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Under the per-credit pilot, if you withdraw from a class within the drop-add period, you will be refunded the actual cost of the class. In other words, if you need to drop a class during the drop-add period, you will not be charged for that class. However, if you withdraw from a class after drop-add (not a total withdrawal), there is no refund.

Credits not earned at IUP count toward meeting the 30-hour credit requirement for the Academic Success Initiative, and they also count toward the 120-credit limit for the Academic Success Initiative.

Yes. The criteria to receive this discount is that you were admitted initially to one of IUP’s regional campuses and that you have earned less than 60 credits toward your degree.

The reduced per-credit rate is for in-state students only. You will be charged the out-of-state per credit rate of 145% of IUP’s in-state undergraduate tuition rate, or $463 per credit.

No, the reduced per-credit rate is applicable only to students who are admitted to Punxsutawney or Northpointe.

No, the reduced per-credit rate is applicable only to students who are initially admitted to Punxsutawney or Northpointe.

No, you will be assessed based on the per-credit out-of-state undergraduate rate of 145% of the IUP in-state undergraduate rate.

The 80% per-credit rate applies only to in-state resident students and only until you earn up to and including 59 credits, achieving Junior status. If you are an in-state resident, you will pay 80% of the per-credit in-state undergraduate rate for your first earned 59 credits. You will then pay 100% for the remainder of your credits earned. If your primary state of residency is not Pennsylvania, but is within the United States, the per-credit out-of-state undergraduate rate of 145% or $463 per credit will apply for all credits earned.

No, the discounted rate is for students initially admitted to the regional campuses and only applies to the first 59 credits earned.

You will be charged the 80% discount for all 12 credits.

No. Your student enrollment record will be updated to show that you are 100% enrolled at the Indiana campus and you will be charged the regular per-credit in-state undergraduate rate.

Fall 2018

The Pennsylvania State System Board of Governors set the tuition rates for 2018-2019 on July 12, 2018, granting a 2.99% increase. The rates above reflect these new rates.

This means that your primary state of residency is a state within the United States, but not Pennsylvania.

No, this alternative pricing plan affects only students with a primary residence within the United States, but not in Pennsylvania.

The rationale of setting the per-credit rate at 145% of the IUP in-state undergraduate rate was to hold the average domestic out-of-state harmless to any price increase. Currently the average out-of-state reciprocity state student takes 14.2 credits per semester which results in an overall decrease of $16.00 per semester.

Not at this time, however we have many programs in place to help students to finance their education. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid to find out what programs you may qualify for.

The new rate goes into effect with the fall 2018 term. Tuition for subsequent winter and summer sessions will also be charged at the per-credit rate of 145% of IUP’s in-state undergraduate rate.

Fees are not included in the alternate rate tuition plan. Fees charged based on a percentage of the tuition will be charged utilizing the BOG approved out-of-state undergraduate tuition rate, not the 145% discounted rate.

You will be charged the per-credit rate of 115% of the BOG approved in-state undergraduate rate or $370 per credit.

IUP holds several contracts or agreements with international agencies that define different tuition rates and terms of what the international students coming to IUP will pay.  So it could very well be the case that your friend may pay more or less than you.  It is all based on the negotiated agreement between the institutions.  This approved range of rates that the President may use when negotiating with international institutions provides flexibility to enter into agreements that benefit the student as well as create strategic partnerships for IUP.

Yes.