The School of Graduate
Professional Studies
New Student Orientation
The School of Graduate Professional Studies (SGPS)
Penn State Great Valley Campus
Telephone: 610-648-3200
Website: http://www.sgps.psu.edu
New Student Orientation
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Table of Contents - Academic Year 2015 - 2016
Topic
Page
Graduate School Policies
Standards of Conduct
Academic Integrity
Student ID Cards
Access Account for Computer Usage
How PSU Communicates with Students
Your Two Email Accounts
Combining Email Accounts (Forwarding)
Class Meeting Schedule
Class Attendance
Getting Your Grades/Grading Policy
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Scholarship
Advising
eLion
Academic Calendars
Registration: Two Steps
Late Registration
Incomplete Registration Consequences
Course Drops/Withdrawals
Tuition and Fees
“Scheduled v. Registered”
Billing Information
Payment Procedures and Options
Payment Receipts
Tuition Adjustments and Refunds
Student Financial Aid
When Students Miss a Semester
Program Completion
When Your Contact Information Changes
Campus Emergency Closings
Confidentiality and Security of Student Records
Campus Safety and the Clery Act
Nondiscrimination Statement
Students Needing Accommodations
Sexual Harassment
Penn State’s Alcohol and Drug Policy
Policies, Safety, & U (Annual Security Report)
Penn State’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct
Sexual Assault Hotline/Victims Services;
Bystander Intervention
Emergency Management/Behavioral Threat
Additional Resources:
Bookstore
Information Technology Department
Library Services
Student Parking
Penn State ANGEL Course Mgt System
Concurrent Programs
Planning for Graduation
Veterans Services
Co-curricular Programs
Resources to Report Suspected Illegal or Unethical
Conduct or to Seek Assistance
Steps to a Graduate Student Loan
Writing Center for Students
Penn State Values
3
3
4
4
4-5
5-6
5-6
6
7
7
7-8
8
8
8-9
10-12
13-14
14
14
15
16
17
17
18-20
20
21
22
23
23
23
23-24
24-25
26-27
26
26
26
26-27
27
28
29
30
30-31
33
34-35
35-37
37
38
38-39
40
40
41
Graduate Study at
New Student Orientation
42-43
44-46
46-47
47-48
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The School of Graduate Professional Studies –
A Tradition of Excellence
Personal involvement in academic program planning is the key to successfully completing a
Penn State master’s degree, certificate program, or a program leading to certification. To plan
a program of study that will best meet your goals and interests, you may obtain academic
program information from several sources: program brochures and admissions advisers in the
School’s Office of Enrollment Management and Student Services; advising through the
appropriate academic division; the Penn State and SGPS web sites; and various University
offices and publications.
Graduate School Policies
Students are responsible for knowing and following the regulations and pertinent procedures
of the Graduate School as set forth in the Graduate Degree Programs Bulletin, which is
available on the Penn State University website at http://www.psu.edu/bulletins/whitebook/.
Students also should be cognizant of the rules, regulations, and procedures of the University
and the School of Graduate Professional Studies as outlined on the School website at
http://www.sgps.psu.edu/ and on the Penn State University Student Affairs website at
http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/ and http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/conduct/.
Standards of Conduct
By virtue of their maturity and experience, graduate students are expected to know the
meaning and value of personal honesty and professional integrity. A violation of such
standards is regarded as a serious offense, raising grave doubt that the student is worthy of
continued membership in the Graduate School community. The Office of Student Conduct
serves as a valuable resource for the University community by promoting a safe living and
learning environment.
The University identifies unacceptable student behavior in a document called the Code of
Conduct. Familiarize yourself with the expectations of the Code of Conduct and allow it to
guide you through your everyday decision-making, both in and out of the classroom.
Knowing what is considered acceptable and honorable behavior is often the first step to
making that a way of life. The judicial process begins when students do not follow the ideals
of the Code.
For more information regarding the University Code of Conduct, visit the Student Affairs
website at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/conduct/ or Appendix I in the Graduate Degree
Programs Bulletin, available at http://www.psu.edu/bulletins/whitebook/. To report any
violation to the University Code of Conduct, contact JoAnn Kelly, Penn State Great Valley
Judicial Designee, by phone at 610-648-3315 or via email at jek2@psu.edu.
New Student Orientation
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Academic Integrity
“Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and deception and is an
educational objective of this institution. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to,
cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating information or citations, facilitating acts of academic
dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of
another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with
the academic work of other students. Breach of this policy can result in academic sanctions.”
At the beginning of each course, it is the responsibility of the instructor to provide a statement
clarifying the application of academic integrity to that course. The Academic Integrity Policy
is available on the School website under “Academics,” then click on “Current Students,” and
in the left menu bar, click on “Student Services,” and then click “Academic Integrity Policy.”
(http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Academics/32037.htm)
Student ID Cards
A student ID card is issued to all new degree students, and it is important that you obtain
yours. Student ID photos are taken in the Student Services Office at Great Valley during
regular hours. The ID card, bearing the student’s name and photograph, should be carried
for proper student identification. There is a charge for a replacement ID card.
Obtaining Access to University Computer Systems
(Getting Your “Access Account”)
In order to use any computing system at Penn State, including email, students must have an
Access Account. A Penn State Access Account is a digital identity. The electronic profile
grants permissions to users for protected online University resources and services. Access
Accounts provide access to the University community at all times, while maintaining a high
level of security.
Each person with an Access Account is assigned a unique username of three letters paired
with a series of digits (for example, xyz5002). A user ID is associated with only one
individual and is never recycled. User IDs are used as a representation of an individual when
logging in.
A password is used to ensure that the correct individual is logging in under the entered user
ID. Coupled with a user ID, a password helps to complete the authentication process when
gaining access to a service. Your password must be changed at least once a year, and more
often is recommended. Change your password at http://www.work.psu.edu/password.
New Student Orientation
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Graduate students may activate their PSU Access Accounts in the Student Services Office
or in the Library at Penn State Great Valley. Depending upon when newly enrolling
graduate students accept their offer of admission, they may receive a University email
inviting them to activate their Access Account electronically. A user will have seven
days to activate the Access Account electronically using the link provided in the
notification. For more information, visit
http://aset.its.psu.edu/accounts/access.html or
http://ait.its.psu.edu/services/identity-access-management/identity/accounts/ or
http://identity.psu.edu/services/authentication-services/access-accounts/access-accountactivation/ or
http://identity.psu.edu/services/authentication-services/electronic-account-activation/
Full Access Accounts grant:
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User ID
E-mail Services
500 MB of electronic storage space (PASS)
Printing privileges
Personal web space
Listing in Penn State Directory Services
As long as you are continuously enrolled at Penn State (in the fall and spring semesters),
your Access Account remains active. If you stop out of classes for a semester, you must
re-activate your Access Account when you return. Contact the Office of Student Services
at 610-648-3275 for questions related to activating an Access Account.
How does Penn State Communicate with Students – Two Ways
to Get Email
Because the University is using email as the primary means of communicating with you
outside of class, it is imperative that you check your PSU email frequently. There are two
ways to get your email:
1. Webmail: Penn State WebMail is a web-based e-mail client that provides you with
anytime, anywhere access to your Penn State e-mail via a web browser. Authentication and email storage in WebMail are made possible via your Penn State Access Account userid and
password. The easy-to-use interface lets you create and organize mailboxes, access directory
services, create and add personalized signatures, and change a variety of settings.
IMPORTANT: Administrative offices use this system to communicate with you about
grades, course and schedule changes and updates, registration confirmations, tuition bills, and
financial aid instructions and information.
To access your email in Webmail, go to https://webmail.psu.edu/. It is important that you
check your email in the Webmail box frequently.
For more information, visit http://kb.its.psu.edu/node/2808
New Student Orientation
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2. ANGEL: ANGEL is a course management system, and many faculty use the mailbox in
ANGEL to send you information about their particular course that you are enrolled
in. You can communicate with your professor and with fellow students in that particular
course only using the ANGEL mailbox. Students enrolled in a course using ANGEL should
check their ANGEL email frequently at https://cms.psu.edu/default.asp.
The email you receive in your ANGEL course mailbox is course-specific. You must also
check WEBMAIL at https://webmail.psu.edu/.
How to FORWARD Your Email
Checking your email via Webmail and ANGEL frequently, along with any personal and
work-related email accounts you may have, can be time-consuming.
Therefore, we recommend that you arrange to have all your Penn State email forwarded to a
single mailbox. This is easy to do and takes only a few minutes.
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If you are enrolled in a course that uses ANGEL, you should forward your ANGEL
email to the Webmail system.
Log onto ANGEL at https://cms.psu.edu/default.asp. Click on the logon icon at the
far left, under the “question mark” icon. Select the account type (choose Penn State).
Type in your user ID and password. When the page “My Profile” opens, click on the
“silhouette” icon on the far left (in the circle) which will take you to your
preferences/settings. When the page "My Settings" opens, click on "System Settings,"
and scroll down to “Mail Settings.” Enter the email address where you would like to
receive your mail (enter your PSU webmail address) in the field titled “Forwarding
Address” and choose "Forward my mail and keep as new" from the pull down. Click
"Save."
When your ANGEL email is forwarded to your Webmail account, you will have to
log onto only one Penn State system (https://webmail.psu.edu/) to get ALL your PSU
email (both course-related and administrative). (Note that because ANGEL is limited
to a specific course, you cannot forward your PSU Webmail to an ANGEL account)
Both your ANGEL email and your Webmail may be forwarded to a personal or
business email account. To arrange this, log onto https://www.work.psu.edu/
and choose "Change your e-mail forwarding address." Once you have done this, all
PSU email will go to that personal or work account.
If you are not enrolled in a course using ANGEL but wish to have your Webmail
forwarded to a home or work account, simply log onto https://www.work.psu.edu/
and choose "Change your e-mail forwarding address." Your PSU Webmail will then
automatically appear in your home or work email account.
New Student Orientation
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Class Meeting Schedule and Delivery
Penn State operates on a semester system. Within the semester system at SGPS, there are
six academic sessions per year: two in the fall semester, two in the spring semester, and
two in the summer. Each session runs for seven weeks.
Classes typically are offered on weeknights and/or Saturdays. Many classes meet two
nights a week for seven weeks or once per week for fourteen weeks. Occasionally
courses may meet on other schedules, including one, three, five, eight, or ten weeks in a
compressed format in the daytime, in the evening, and/or on weekends. Most courses
include a face-to-face component, and many also include a component of online work
(called a “blended or hybrid” format) with from 10 to 90 percent online. Some classes
are delivered entirely online or via synchronous video conference classes. All courses are
adult-learner focused and emphasize academic quality, convenience and student success.
Most graduate courses offered through SGPS represent three (3) credits. Credits are
awarded on a semester-hour basis. According to Faculty-Senate Policy 42-23, a total of
at least 42 hours of work planned and arranged by the University faculty is required for
the average student to gain one (1) credit. While the distribution of time varies from
course to course, generally one-third of the time is devoted to formal instruction and twothirds of the time to outside preparation. Many part-time students earn 15 to 18 graduate
credits each year, taking one class at a time (3 credits/session) over five or six sessions in
an academic year. Full-time students typically earn 24 credits in a year, taking two
classes each session/4 courses in a semester.
Class Attendance
As stated in the Student Guide to University Policies and Rules,
. . .The fact that classes are scheduled is evidence that the faculty believes class
instruction is important. . . .A student should attend every class for which the student is
scheduled and should be held responsible for all work covered in the courses taken.
However, we know that there may be an occasion when you are not able to come to class.
Any student anticipating the need to miss a class should contact the instructor (in
advance) to make alternative arrangements.
Grades and Grading Policy
Instructors strive to post grades 48 hours after the final exam or final assessment of the
course. If you have questions concerning your grade(s), you should contact the instructor or
the department offering the course.
Currently enrolled students may view and e-mail their grade report by selecting "Grades" on
eLion. To have a grade report mailed to your permanent residence, select "Mail Semester
Grades" on eLion. You must make this request in eLion when your course is in session.
New Student Orientation
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A grade is given solely based on the instructor’s judgment of the student’s scholarly
attainment. A quality grade (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F) may be given to a graduate
student for course work or thesis research. At the graduate level, grades of A, B, and C
denote graduate credit, whereas D and F are failing grades. In addition to these quality
grades, three symbols, DF (deferred), NG (no grade reported), and R (research) may appear
on a student’s transcript. If a student is prevented from completing a course within the
prescribed amount of time, it is possible to have the grade for that course deferred, with
instructor approval, until the work can be completed at a later date. The DF must be removed
within twelve weeks from the course end date or an F will be recorded. For more detailed
information on grades and grading, refer to the campus’s website at
http://www.gv.psu.edu/Academics/32047.htm University Registrar’s webpage at
http://www.registrar.psu.edu/grades/grades_index.cfm
Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory Scholarship
A graduate student who fails to maintain satisfactory scholarship or to make acceptable
progress will be dropped from the University. One or more failing grades or a cumulative
grade point average below 3.0 for any semester or session or combination of semesters or
sessions may be considered as evidence of failure to maintain satisfactory scholarship.
Students must have a cumulative 3.0 grade point average in order to graduate from an
SGPS program.
Advising
Advising is an important factor in the quality of a student’s graduate program. Faculty
members may assist students in planning their sequence of courses and in meeting all
degree requirements. Advising systems vary by academic division and program.
eLION
eLion provides secure real-time access to academic and financial records in the University's
administrative database. eLion hours of operation are from
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7 days a week, 7:01 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. eastern time, excluding University holidays.
Any eLion transaction with a deadline must be completed by 11:59 p.m. eastern time
on the date of the deadline.
Log on to eLion at https://elion.psu.edu/ for access to the following information:
Registration
View Course Sections
View/Print Course Schedule
Academic Verification
View/Update Address Information
Course Drop Dates
New Student Orientation
Mail Semester Grades
Withdrawal
Holds
Academic Advising
View Academic Summary
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View/Print Unofficial Transcript
Transcripts
Bursar Information
View Bill Dates
View Bursar Account
View/Change Refund Preference
View Semester Bill
Graduating This Semester/File Intent to Graduate
New Student Orientation
Pay Semester Bill
View Tax Credit Information
Parent/Other Access
Financial Aid Information
View Student Aid Summary
Decrease Federal Stafford Loans
Loan Debt Summary
9
Academic Calendar
The School of Graduate Professional Studies
2016 Spring Semester
Spring I Session:
Registration:
Tuition Payment Deadline:
Registration Deadline:
Monday/Wednesday
Tuesday/Thursday
Saturday
All students – Monday, October 26, 2016
As billed by U.P.
Friday, January 8, 2016
1/11 - 2/29
no classes Mon 1/18
1/12 - 2/25
1/16 - 2/27
Spring II Session:
Registration:
Tuition Payment Deadline:
Registration Deadline:
Monday/Wednesday
Tuesday/Thursday
Saturday
All students – Monday, October 26, 2016
As billed by U.P.
Friday, March 4, 2016
3/9 – 4/25
first class Wednesday 3/9
3/8 – 4/21
3/12 – 4/23
Spring I and II: Fourteen-Week Courses
Monday
1/11 Tuesday
1/12 Wednesday
1/13 Thursday
1/14 Saturday
1/16 -
4/25
4/19
4/20
4/21
4/23
no classes Mon 1/18 & 2/29
no classes Tues 3/1
no classes Wed 3/2
no classes Thurs 3/3
no classes Sat 3/5
Spring classes will not meet:
 Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 18
 Spring Break – Tuesday, March 1 through Monday, March 7
Spring Break is also designated for make-up classes canceled during
Spring I. The Spring I schedule presumes that 14-week courses will
not meet during Spring Break.
Calendar may be subject to change.
For the most up-to-date calendar information, including the deadlines to add and drop classes, visit the SGPS
website at http://www.gv.psu.edu/Academics/calendars.htm
New Student Orientation
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Academic Calendar
The School of Graduate Professional Studies
2016 Summer Sessions
Summer I Session:
Registration begins:
Tuition Payment Deadline:
Registration Deadline:
Monday/Wednesday
Tuesday/Thursday
Saturday
All students – February 1, 2016
As billed by U.P.
Friday May 6, 2016
5/9 – 6/22
no classes Monday, 5/30
5/10 – 6/23
5/14 – 6/25
no classes Saturday, 5/28
Summer II Session:
Registration begins:
Tuition Payment Deadline:
Registration Deadline:
Monday/Wednesday
Tuesday/Thursday
All students – February 1, 2016
As billed by U.P.
Friday June 24, 2016
6/27 – 8/10
no classes Monday, 7/4
6/28 – 8/9
Summer I and II Sessions
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Saturday
5/9
5/10
5/11
5/12
5/14
- 8/8
- 8/9
- 8/10
- 8/11
- 8/3
no classes Mon 5/29 and 7/4
no classes Sat 5/28 and 7/2
Summer classes will not meet:
 Memorial Day Weekend – Saturday, May 28 through Monday, May 30
 Independence Day Weekend – Saturday, July 2 through Monday, July 4
Calendar may be subject to change.
For the most up-to-date calendar information, including the deadlines to add and drop classes, visit the SGPS
website at http://www.gv.psu.edu/Academics/calendars.htm
New Student Orientation
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Academic Calendar
The School of Graduate Professional Studies
2016 Fall Semester
Fall I Session:
Registration:
Tuition Payment Deadline:
Registration Deadline:
Monday/Wednesday
Tuesday/Thursday
Saturday
All students - Monday, June 6, 2016
As billed by U.P.
Friday, August 19, 2016
8/22 – 10/10
no classes Monday, 9/5
8/23 – 10/6
8/27 – 10/15
no classes Saturday, 9/3
Fall II Session:
Registration:
Tuition Payment Deadline:
Registration Deadline:
Monday/Wednesday
Tuesday/Thursday
Saturday
All students - Monday, June 6, 2016
As billed by U.P.
Friday, October 14, 2016
10/17 – 12/5
no classes Wednesday, 11/23
10/18 – 12/6
no classes Thursday 11/24
10/22 – 12/10
no classes Saturday, 11/26
Fall classes will not meet:
 Labor Day Weekend – Saturday, September 3 through Monday, September 5
 Thanksgiving – Wednesday, November 23 through Sunday, November 27
Calendar may be subject to change.
For the most up-to-date calendar information, including the deadlines to add and drop classes, visit the SGPS
website at http://www.gv.psu.edu/Academics/calendars.htm
New Student Orientation
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Semester Course Registration
Overview of the Process
Registration for courses each semester is currently a two-step process.
Step One:
Determine which courses you should take by reviewing your program requirements,
course sequences, and any prerequisites that must be taken first. Consult with your
academic department if necessary. Review course scheduling information on the SGPS
and University websites.
Students are encouraged to sign up as early as possible for courses and to sign up for both
Sessions I and II courses prior to the beginning of the semester.
When the registration period opens, students select and sign up for/schedule courses.
This puts the student in “Scheduled Status.”
Step Two:
Your registration will be complete when all tuition and fees have been paid or when
payment has been arranged with our Finance Office.
After students schedule their courses, the UP central billing office (Bursar’s Office) will
send an e-mail message to the student's official University e-mail account (Webmail)
announcing that the eBill is available on eLion. Prior to the tuition payment date,
students should pay the tuition bill or contact the SGPS Bursar to make deferred payment
arrangements.
Regardless of the amount due, action is required to complete the registration process
and move into “Registered Status.” In other words, the semester bill must be paid.
How to Sign Up for Courses (Step One)
There are three ways to sign up for/schedule your courses.
1. eLion Online
Students who have Access Accounts can schedule courses via eLion at
https://elion.psu.edu/. If you use eLion to sign up for courses and plan to take 1-8 credits
in a semester, be sure to set the “part-time” indicator.
2. In person at Penn State Great Valley
Visit the Registration Office Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. or on
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
3. By Telephone
New Student Orientation
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Contact the Registration Office at Penn State Great Valley at 610-648-3275 during
normal business hours.
What if I Register Late?
Students are encouraged to finalize all schedule changes prior to the first day of the
semester. Once the semester begins, the process of changing the student's course schedule
is referred to as dropping/adding courses.
The drop/add period varies by course, but typically is the first four days of a session for a
seven-week course and the first seven to eight days of a session for a fourteen-week
course, including the first day of class. For specific course drop/add periods, contact the
SGPS Registration Office at 610-648-3275.
When the drop/add period ends, the “late drop/add period” begins. Students scheduling
their first course during the late drop/add period will be assessed late fees, including a late
registration fee of $250 and a late fee of $6.
Consequences of Incomplete Registration
If you schedule (sign up) for classes, but do not contact the Bursar to arrange for payment by
the due date, the following may occur.
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You may be administratively cancelled from your classes.
You may not receive grades for courses attended.
Once classes begin, you may not add or late drop courses for the current semester.
You may be ineligible to register for future semesters.
If receiving student loans, you may enter a repayment status with lender.
If receiving student aid, some aid sources may be cancelled and unable to be reinstated
at a later date.
Faculty are not obligated to provide instruction or administer assessment for you.
The University reserves the right to cancel an incomplete registration for failure to pay
tuition and fees.
International students (F1) may be out of compliance with the Student Exchange
Visitor Information System (SEVIS) federal requirements.
New Student Orientation
14
Course Drops and Withdrawals
You should notify the Registration Office immediately if you wish to drop or withdraw from a
course. The Registration Office will help you process an official drop or withdrawal and help
ensure that your academic records are correct.
You also should notify your instructor, but please note that notifying the instructor does not
constitute an official drop or withdrawal.
Dropping or withdrawing from a course once it has begun is permitted, but you will still have
a financial obligation for the course.
The amount of tuition that you owe, and the amount of tuition that may be refunded to you,
will be based on when you officially drop the course by notifying the Registration Office.
The percentage of tuition that may be refunded depends on the length of the course (in
weeks). There also is a late drop fee. A full tuition refund is made only when a course is
dropped prior to the first class meeting. For more information, refer to the Tuition Refund
Policy at http://www.bursar.psu.edu/adjustments.cfm
The “regular Drop/Add period” varies by course, but typically is four days for a seven-week
course and seven to eight days for a fourteen-week course, including the first day of class. For
specific course deadlines, contact the SGPS Registration Office at 610-648-3275 or visit
http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Information/32726.htm
The “Late Drop period” for a course begins with the first calendar day after the regular
Course Drop period and ends on the day when 80 percent of the duration of the course is
attained. During the Late Drop period, the student may drop a course (Late Drop), but a
symbol will be entered on the student's academic record.
No student may drop a course after the last day of the Late Drop period for any reason.
Dropping a course during the Late Drop period has limitations over the duration of your
enrollment. For more information about course drops and maximum limits on Late Drop
credits, contact the School’s Registration Office at 610-648-3275 or visit
http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Information/32726.htm
Note: By exercising a Late Drop, a student may be seriously jeopardizing his or her expected
progress in the major. It is possible that a student will not be able to schedule the dropped
course in the succeeding semester for a variety of reasons, thereby delaying progress toward
graduation.
Students who are not able to complete a schedule of courses for a given semester may
withdraw from enrollment in those courses any time up to and including the last day of
classes. You must notify the SGPS Registration Office immediately and complete a
withdrawal form. If a withdrawal form is not completed, the instructor may assign the grade
of “F” for the course. Students who withdraw after a course begins still are responsible
for tuition and fees according to the published refund schedules.
New Student Orientation
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Paying Your Tuition and Fees
Contact: Tess Murray, SGPS Bursar
Telephone: 610-648-3238
Location: First Floor, Main Building, East Wing, Great Valley Campus
The campus Bursar’s Office (Finance Office) accepts student tuition payments and assists
students and the University in the maintenance of students’ accounts.
Registering in the proper manner is critical to your enrollment, to grading procedures,
and billing and payment. Course registration is a two-part process and involves payment
of tuition. You may not sit in a class and will not receive a grade until tuition has been paid
or payment arrangements made with the campus Finance Office.
Tuition for the School of Graduate Professional Studies
Tuition rates may be found on the SGPS website at
http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Admissions/FinancialAid/32676.htm and on the University Tuition
Schedule page at http://www.tuition.psu.edu/tuitiondynamic/TuitionAndFees.aspx. Please note
that tuition and fees are subject to change.
Information Technology Fee
In addition to tuition, students at all locations must pay an Information Technology Fee each
semester. This fee is assessed on the basis of the number of credits you schedule in a semester
and is used to continually upgrade all of the University computer systems and to support
student Access Accounts. This fee is non-refundable. For details about this fee, refer to
http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Admissions/FinancialAid/32676.htm or
http://www.tuition.psu.edu/tuitiondynamic/TuitionAndFees.aspx
Student Facilities Fee
This fee has been established by the University to provide a funding source for capital projects
designed to enhance student activities, fitness, and recreation. Projects to be undertaken at each
campus will be identified by the appropriate campus officials. Student input will be obtained in
determining priorities and ideas for potential projects through campus advisory groups that
represent all constituencies. For more information, refer to
http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Admissions/FinancialAid/32676.htm and
http://www.tuition.psu.edu/tuitiondynamic/TuitionAndFees.aspx
New Student Orientation
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Paying Your Tuition and Fees:
Important Distinction: “Scheduled v. Registered”
When you sign up for a class, you are listed as “scheduled” in that class, and you will stay in
“scheduled” status until you pay your tuition.
Once payment is made, you will be considered “registered” and officially enrolled. Students
who do not pay their bills or make payment arrangements prior to the beginning of
classes may be dropped from class(es).
Note: Federal student loan applicants should monitor their Webmail and follow directions in
their Student Aid Summaries on eLion to complete the loan process and become a registered
student. Full directions for Federal student loan recipients are posted on the SGPS website
Student Loan page.
Reminder to part-time students: When scheduling/registering for courses, indicate that
you are a part-time student (1 to 8 credits) in order for various student aid and billing
processes to function properly. If registering via eLion, scroll down on the registration page
and indicate that you are a part-time student by “Setting the Part-time Indicator”.
Billing by the Central Billing Office at University Park
When you schedule your courses, Penn State’s central billing office at the University Park
campus (Bursar’s Office) generates an electronic bill, viewable on your eLion account, for the
actual number of credits scheduled to date. You will receive an email alerting you about this.
Late in the semester, your account will be updated to reflect any changes to your original
schedule and can be viewed on the Bursar site (not the billing site) in eLion (look in “Student
Account Statement.”) You will not receive an email about this update, so please review your
account periodically. You are responsible for paying for any additional charges assessed since
the original bill was produced and paid. (For Spring Semester, the original bill without
changes will appear in “Spring 2016 Tuition Bill.”)
Billing Details Specific to SGPS and the Great Valley Campus
Date Bill Prepared and Payment Due Date:
Payment due dates are set according to University Park’s schedule, and payments are due two
to three weeks after the eBill is issued; please check your bill for the due date.
A late payment fee of $50 and a late registration fee of $250 may be assessed if the bill is not
paid by the date on the bill. Returned checks/non-authorization of credit cards also may incur
penalties.
See the Great Valley Bursar for information about other payment arrangements, including
paying by the session.
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17
PAYMENT PROCEDURES
When courses are first scheduled, an e-mail message will be sent to the student’s official
University email account (on Web mail) announcing that the eBill is available. You will
receive the eBill approximately one week after you schedule courses or the first billing cycle of
the semester. Payment is due by the due date on the eBill. NOTE: If you add or drop credits
after your bill is prepared, you will need to periodically review your account on eLion and pay
any additional charges. You will not receive an email about any billing updates, so please
review your account periodically. You are responsible for paying for any additional charges
assessed since the original bill was produced and paid. If you have any questions, please feel
free to contact the SGPS Bursar.
Students can email their Semester Bill to themselves via eLion. They also can forward this
information to employers, etc.
Choose the payment option listed that best meets your needs. Note that some options require
that you sign up in advance.
Payment Due Date
Tuition payment by the deadline date will complete the registration process.
SGPS tuition is due by the date on the eBill.
If student bills have not been paid by the due date indicated on the eLion bill, students may be
assessed a $50 late payment fee. Returned checks will invoke the Returned Item Fee. See the
SGPS Bursar if you have questions or need information about other payment arrangements.
Payment Options
Explore your options for paying for graduate school!
You already know that SGPS offers a high-quality education and is an excellent investment in
your future. Financing that investment during these uncertain times may involve a closer
partnership between you and the School’s Office of Student Aid and Bursar.
There is a variety of ways to pay for graduate school, and we encourage you to explore all
your options. Many graduate students receive tuition reimbursement benefits from their
employers, but that may not be enough. We encourage you to consider all your options,
including deferred tuition payments, loans, Veterans benefits, tax credits, education
deferments, and scholarships. We are happy to provide answers to the questions you have
concerning the financial investment you are making in your future.
New Student Orientation
18

Loans and other Financial Aid
Federal student loans are available to students in degree-seeking status who meet
federal loan criteria. In the most recent academic year, our students were able to receive
$3 million dollars in loans to help them pursue graduate study, primarily through the
Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. In addition to loans, SGPS may have a limited
number of scholarships, awards, and Graduate Research Assistant positions. Review the
Student Aid section on the SGPS website for details. Student Aid recipients must
monitor and respond to communications in their Webmail accounts for important
updates on their student aid.

eCheck:
Electronic payment via eCheck is available on eLion. The eCheck option is a fast and
secure method to pay eBills from any checking account. There is no fee to pay by
eCheck.

Check, Money Order, or Certified Check
Make payable to “The Pennsylvania State University.”
Remit payment to the Bursar at the Penn State Great Valley Campus, 30 East
Swedesford Road, Malvern, PA 19355. Your cancelled check will serve as your
receipt. Penn State does not accept post-dated checks.

American Express, Discover, VISA, or MasterCard
Accepted online only on the University’s eLion Web site at https://elion.psu.edu/ (you
must have an Access Account to utilize this option). Credit cards cannot be used to
pay at Great Valley.
There is a 2.5 percent fee for using credit cards. Log onto your eLion account and
choose the “semester bill” option on the left side of the screen. Click on the icon
“make payment now”, enter your credit card information, click “pay now,” and wait
for the confirmation to come up. You can print the confirmation and use it as a
receipt.

PSU Deferred Payment Plan:
Offered only at the beginning of the semester and must be used for the full semester
(not just one session). The plan allows you to pay over a period of 3 months. The first
1/3 of tuition and fees are payable by the due date of the semester bill and the
remaining 2/3 is payable over the next three months (for spring semester, the second
and third payments are in February and March). There is a $45 nonrefundable fee to
use this plan, payable with the first 1/3 payment. In order to use this plan, you should
register for Session I and II at the same time.
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19
On the bill, see the option for a deferment plan. You can adjust the bill to reflect the
correct tuition for two or more classes and make deferred payments on the total amount.
You must sign this portion of the bill and forward it to either the Bursar’s Office at
University Park or the Finance Office at Great Valley with your first payment. There is
a $20 late payment fee if your deferred amount is not paid by the due date. Also, the
summer deferred billing procedure does not produce a bill for the second payment. The
due date for the second payment will be listed on the original bill.

Paying by the Session
Only the Great Valley Campus has two sessions within each Spring and Fall semester.
Because of this, you can choose to pay by session rather than the full semester.
Payment for tuition and fees for Session I is due by the date on the eBill, but the tuition
and fees for Session II can be paid the week prior to the start of Session II. To receive
approval for this payment option, you should contact the Great Valley Bursar Office
either by email, gvbursar@psu.edu, or by telephone, (610)648-3238.

Direct Billing of Employers:
An “Authorization to Bill” from the employer must be presented for each course at
registration time. This document should be on company letterhead and indicate the
billing address. It should state that the employer is willing to accept the charges, and
there may not be conditions listed such as a specific grade or completion of the class
before payment. Once this authorization is received, Great Valley will generate a bill
and send it to the employer for payment.

Deferment of Undergraduate Student Loans:
Contact your loan servicer for a deferment form. Complete only your portion and return
it directly to the servicer. PSU does not complete the school information on the
deferment form. See the Financial Aid Office for the Deferment handout which
describes school enrollment reporting at Penn State. You must enroll as a half-time
student (5+ credits/semester) to receive an education deferment. If you are enrolled in
only one course, however, a forbearance is possible from the servicer. Both the
deferment and the forbearance suspend loan repayment.
Cash payments are not accepted.
An additional $25 charge will be charged for returned checks or non-authorization of credit
card payments. Registration may be canceled at the University’s discretion. The receipt
given for the payment will be considered null and void.
Getting a Payment Receipt
Students who pay on eLion using a credit card will have the option to send a receipt to their email address. The option to print their receipt is still available for those students who desire a
paper copy for their records. Duplicate receipts may be obtained at the Great Valley Bursar
Office.
New Student Orientation
20
Seeking Reimbursement from Your Employer Once You Have Paid
You will receive a receipt upon payment of tuition. If your employer offers tuition
reimbursement benefits, and you wish to seek reimbursement from your employer, attach the
tuition receipt to a copy of your eBill from eLion and print a copy of your schedule from
eLion.
Tuition Adjustment Policy
If it is necessary to drop or withdraw from a course, the student must notify the Registration
Office at Penn State Great Valley immediately, in addition to notifying the student’s
instructor(s). Official dropping or withdrawal can be done only through the Registration
Office.
Any adjustments to your bill because of course drops or withdrawal will be based on the date
the Registration Office is notified, not the date you stop attending class, and the duration of
the course.
For example, if you drop a 7-week course during the first week, you will be responsible for
paying twenty (20) percent of the tuition. You will receive an adjustment of 80 percent. If
you drop a 7-week course during the second week, you will be responsible for paying 40
percent and will receive an adjustment of 60 percent. The tuition adjustment schedule is
available on the University website at http://www.bursar.psu.edu/adjustments.cfm.
Refunds:
If you are expecting a refund, the quickest delivery of your refund is to enroll in Penn State's
Rapid Refund Program by using eLion at https://elion.psu.edu/. Select "Student," then enter
your User ID and Access Account password. Next, from the menu on the left side of the
screen, select "Refund Information."
New Student Orientation
21
Office of Student Aid
Loans, Scholarships, and Veterans’ Benefits
Contact: Paula Pierce, Director of Student Aid
Email: gvstudentaid@psu.edu
SGPS Student Aid web page: http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Admissions/FinancialAid/default.htm
Penn State University Office of Student Aid: www.studentaid.psu.edu
SGPS Telephone: 610-648-3311
SGPS Office Location: First Floor, Main building, in the Office of Enrollment Management
and Student Services at the Great Valley Campus.
Penn State Great Valley participates in the Federal Stafford and Graduate Plus Loan
programs. Graduate students who meet federal criteria (which include U.S. citizenship or
permanent residency, formal admission to a degree program and enrollment in 5 or more
credits per 14-week semester) are entitled to apply for a Stafford Loan. Eligible students who
require funds to meet educational obligations beyond the Stafford loan maximum may also
apply for a credit-worthy Graduate Plus Loan. Details about these federal loan programs can
be found at studentaid.gov and on the SGPS Student Aid web page (above).
All student loan applicants submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at
www.fafsa.gov. Students manage loans and pay semester bills using loans on eLion. See
http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Admissions/FinancialAid/default.htm for steps in the Great Valley
Student Loan Process or view the document “Steps to a Graduate Student Loan” at the end of
this notebook.
SGPS students in nondegree status are not eligible for federal student loans but may apply for
a loan from a private lender. See www.studentaid.psu.edu for information on private
alternative loans.
A few scholarships and awards, ranging from $250 to $2,000, may be available to students at
SGPS. Scholarship applications can be submitted between April and September for the
academic year beginning in the fall. For a scholarship application, see the scholarships pages
of the SGPS website at www.sgps.psu.edu .
Student veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who are in degree programs and eligible for GI
Bill educational benefits can submit an enrollment certification request each semester to
receive aid. Review the webpage http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Admissions/FinancialAid/vet.htm
and email questions to gvveterans@psu.edu.
SGPS Office of Student Aid hours vary throughout the week. To ask questions or request an
appointment, email gvstudentaid@psu.edu or call 610-648-3311.
New Student Orientation
22
When Students Miss a Semester of Course Work
Penn State requires that students enroll continuously each fall and spring semester (summer is
not included). This means that students must enroll in and complete at least one course during
the fall semester and at least one course during the spring semester. If a semester is missed,
students must receive permission from the University to resume study. For resume study
information, contact the School’s Admissions Office, telephone 610-648-3242, well in
advance of the term in which you plan to resume your study.
Program Completion
While breaks in enrollment are permitted in most academic programs, the requirements for a
master’s degree must be met within a limited period, typically six years. The University
maximum is eight years.
When Your Contact Information Changes
It is imperative that you alert us when your contact information changes. We need to be
able to reach you with important information about changes in class meetings, the
curriculum, courses, etc. To addition to notifying the SGPS Registrar’s office and your
division about your contact information, you also should update your mailing address,
home phone, email address, and emergency contact information on eLion.
Emergency Closing Procedures
Instances of inclement weather are a fact of life in our region at this time of year. As in
the past, we may have to make difficult decisions regarding cancellation or postponement
of scheduled activities at the Penn State Great Valley Campus.

When extreme weather or other emergency suggests the possibility of cancellation or
delay of classes at the Great Valley campus and, at times, office operations as well, the
campus’s telephone weather hotline (610-648-3399) is the official source for details.
The voice recording at this number will be updated first, providing the authoritative
word on Penn State Great Valley’s operating status.

Classes that are held at locations away from the Great Valley Campus will meet
unless those locations close or unless faculty teaching those courses make other
arrangements. Watch for emails from your instructor or your academic
department via ANGEL and Webmail.

If electrical service is intact, our School website will be updated at www.sgps.psu.edu
and on webpage http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Information/weather.htm.
New Student Orientation
23

Local television and radio media will be contacted about Great Valley campus
operations. Listen to KYW News Radio – 1060 AM for information on late afternoon
and evening Great Valley campus operations during snow and ice storms and other
inclement weather/emergency situations. Listen for RADIO CODE 2851 in Chester
County.

If you hear the code, you may want to verify the information by calling the campus
weather hotline at 610-648-3399.
Please note: If the radio code is not given, classes at Great Valley will
meet as regularly scheduled unless you are notified otherwise. Again, it is
useful to call the campus weather hotline to verify campus operations.

Additional communications about cancellations, delays, and other emergencies will
also be communicated via PSUAlert, which is an emergency alert system that provides
all University campuses with emergency notification and alert capabilities.
The PSUAlert system will be used to send emergency notifications via e‑ mail to all
students, faculty, and staff at their Penn State e‑ mail address. Students, faculty and
staff also may sign up to receive alerts by text message and voice message. Alert
messages also will be available to the public on Twitter and Facebook. To subscribe,
visit the subscription page at https://psualert.psu.edu/psualert/. Log in using your
Penn State Access Account and create/update your emergency notification
information. In order to receive messages about our School/campus only, choose
“Great Valley Alerts” in the campus listings. For assistance with PSUALERT service,
contact the IT Service Desk, 814-865-HELP (4357) or visit
http://news.psu.edu/PSUAlert-FAQs.

Students taking classes at the Great Valley location may also receive an e-mail
message from your faculty member or academic division.
Confidentiality and Security of Student Records
Educational records are kept by University offices to facilitate the educational development of
students. Faculty and staff members may also keep informal records relating to their
functional responsibilities with individual students. The Federal Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 identifies the rights of students and their families with
respect to student educational records kept by institutions. As part of the requirements of
FERPA, the University has a Policy on Confidentiality of Student Records (policy AD-11).
The University has also developed related policies that concentrate on the use of institutional
data (policy AD-23) and computer and network security (policy AD-20).
Penn State is committed to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of the student's Social
Security number. The Social Security number is requested at the time of degree or nondegree
application to the University, but is used in a very limited and controlled manner. The primary
student identification number used to conduct University business is the PSU ID, which is
assigned at the time of first affiliation with Penn State. This practice is further described in
New Student Orientation
24
policy AD-19. For more information about FERPA and related legislation, visit the University
Registrar’s webpage at http://www.registrar.psu.edu/confidentiality/confidentiality.cfm
Campus Safety and the Clery Act
According to federal law, specifically The Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act
of 1990 (recently known as the Clery Act), the Penn State Police Department is required to
report statistics concerning the occurrences of certain criminal offenses reported to the local
police agency or any official of the institution who is defined as a ‘Campus Security
Authority.’
To report crimes at the Penn State Great Valley Campus:
If safety is paramount, call 911 first to report a crime.
Contact the Penn State Great Valley Police Services Office in the Main Building (near
the front entrance), telephone 610-648-3203, when the Campus police officer is on
duty (typically 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday when classes are in
session).
Or, contact the Director of Business Services, Maria Zuccato, by email at
mnz1@psu.edu or by telephone at 610-648-3270. You also may report a crime to the
Office of Student Services in the Main Building during normal business hours,
telephone 610-648-3275 or email Carla Holway, Director, at cah1@psu.edu.
To report crimes at the Penn State Berks Campus (Penn State Great Valley offers MBA
courses at the Penn State Berks Campus in Reading, PA.):
If safety is paramount, always call 911 first.
If you need to speak with a police officer, you may call the Penn State Berks Police
office at 610-396-6111 during normal business hours. You may also contact Berks
Police Services 24-hours-a-day by dialing their pager number 610-856-4822, and then
entering your return phone number from a touch-tone telephone.
For information about safety at the Berks Campus, visit
http://www.bk.psu.edu/Information/Safety/safety.htm. The Penn State Berks Police
Office is located in Room 114, Luerssen Building. Normal office hours are Monday
through Friday from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
To learn more about the Clery Act and University and campus crime statistics, visit the Penn
State Office of Student Activities (Division of Student Affairs) website at
http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/studentorgs/clery.shtml or the University Police website at
http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/
New Student Orientation
25
You may read the annual safety report for Great Valley, “Policies, Safety, & U” at
http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/security-reports/index.cfm and also at
http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/securityreports/upload/122425dPoliciesSafetyU_GreatValley.pdf
The annual safety report for Berks can be found at http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/securityreports/index.cfm and also at http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/securityreports/upload/BK14.pdf
Nondiscrimination on the Basis of a Disability or Handicap
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. If
you have a disability-related need for reasonable academic adjustments in a course, contact
the Penn State Great Valley Disability Contact Liaison, JoAnn Kelly, at 610-648-3315 or
via email at jek2@psu.edu.
In order to receive consideration for course accommodations, you must contact the Penn State
Great Valley Disability Contact Liaison and provide documentation (see the documentation
guidelines at https://equity.psu.edu/ods/guidelines. If the documentation supports the need for
academic adjustments, Penn State’s Office for Disability Services will provide a letter
identifying appropriate academic adjustments. Please share this letter and discuss the
adjustments with your instructor as early in the course as possible. You must contact JoAnn
Kelly and request academic adjustment letters at the beginning of each semester.
For further information regarding ODS, please visit the University’s Office for Disability
Services Web site at https://equity.psu.edu/ods
Statement on Sexual Harassment
A goal of Penn State is to provide an environment free from sexual harassment. The
University actively investigates complaints of sexual harassment. Appropriate disciplinary
action will be taken if it is determined that sexual harassment has occurred. Information about
Penn State’s Affirmative Action Policy may be found at http://www.psu.edu/dept/aaoffice/.
Information about Penn State’s Sexual Harassment policy may be found at
http://www.psu.edu/dept/aaoffice/sexharass.htm. For more information, contact Penn State
Great Valley's sexual harassment resource person, Lisa Marranzini, at 610-892-1211 or via
e-mail at lyerges@psu.edu.
Penn State’s Alcohol and Drug Policy
The University prohibits the unlawful possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of alcohol
or controlled substances by faculty, staff, and students in buildings, facilities, grounds, or
property controlled by the University, or used as part of University activities.
New Student Orientation
26
Illegal alcohol use or alcohol abuse on or off the premises of the University negatively affects
the University community and places students at personal and academic risk. While
responding to misconduct, the University strives to provide a healthy and safe experience for
students. University rules and procedures regarding student alcohol violations are specifically
established to provide: (a) therapeutic or medical support interventions for students, (b)
community expectations for student conduct behaviors, and (c) an orderly and safe
environment for community members.
The Off Campus Misconduct Policy allows alcohol related activity that occurs off campus to
come under the jurisdiction of the Office of Student Conduct. Use, possession, service, or
consumption of alcoholic beverages off the premises of the University campus may all be
considered violations of the Student Code of Conduct
(http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/conduct/codeofconduct/). Additionally, the following behaviors
constitute Code violations:
1. Excessive consumption of alcohol: When a student is unconscious, experiences a loss of
control, has a high Blood Alcohol Concentration, and/or needs medical attention, a charge of
Excessive Consumption of Alcohol may be assigned. This may be true even in cases where
students were not charged with public drunkenness or disorderly conduct.
2. Furnishing alcohol to minors: A Code of Conduct violation occurs when a student serves
alcohol to or purchases alcohol for those under the age of 21.
3. Driving under the influence: A Code of Conduct violation occurs when a student is found
to be operating a motor vehicle while legally intoxicated.
Based on federal law, students who have been convicted under federal or state law of the sale
or possession of drugs are not eligible for federal financial aid if the offense occurred during a
period of enrollment for which the student was receiving federal student aid. To learn more
about the law, visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid web site at
www.fafsa.ed.gov.
To learn more about Penn State’s alcohol and drug policies, visit
http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/conduct/policies/alcohol.shtml or the University’s Office of
Student Conduct website at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/conduct. Or, contact the Great
Valley Office of Student Services at 610-648-3275.
Penn State publishes information about campus safety measures, our efforts to combat alcohol
and drug abuse, and crime statistics in a publication entitled Policies, Safety, & U. This
annual security report is distributed to students each year in electronic format and is available
in hard copy from the Great Valley Office of Student Services and from Police Services at
Berks. It also is available online at http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/security-reports/ and
http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/security-reports/upload/KP14.pdf and
http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/security-reports/upload/BK14.pdf
New Student Orientation
27
Penn State’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct
Penn State is very committed to addressing issues of sexual harassment and sexual violence
and designed the SHARE website which provides information about resources and reporting
options when a violation has occurred. You may wish to view this site for Penn State specific
information. Penn State will not tolerate sexual misconduct, including rape, sexual
harassment, or sexual assault.
Know Your Rights: Title IX Prohibits Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Where You
Go to School
(Use of the term “sexual harassment” throughout this document includes sexual violence
unless otherwise noted.)
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., is a
Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs
and activities. All public and private elementary and secondary schools, school districts,
colleges, and universities (hereinafter “schools”) receiving any Federal funds must comply
with Title IX. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual
harassment or sexual violence, such as rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, and sexual
coercion.
Listed below is information regarding the specific requirements of Title IX as they pertain to
sexual harassment and sexual violence. More detailed information may be found on the Penn
State University website at
http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/womenscenter/titleixinformation.shtml Procedures for students to
file complaints about sex discrimination are included on that web page.
Relationship violence, sexual assault, and stalking are prohibited by Penn State’s Code of
Conduct. Student perpetrators of these specific behaviors as well as others which fall into
categories of sexual misconduct, harassment, or abuse will be held accountable by staff and/or
designees of the Office of Student Conduct. The range of sanctions for these categories of
behaviors includes disciplinary probation through expulsion. If you are a victim of these
actions and the perpetrator is a Penn State student, you may seek assistance from this
University resource.
For more information about the services and support offered by Penn State related to sexual
violence, relationship violence, or stalking, refer to the website of Penn State’s Center for
Women Students, found online at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/womenscenter/ or contact the
Office of Student Services at Penn State Great Valley.
The Center for Women Students is designed to provide a central focus for meeting the needs
of women students. Information on their website is designed to provide information about
helping someone who has experienced sexual violence, relationship violence, or stalking.
Those who experience these crimes often turn to someone they trust for support,
encouragement, and advice. Understanding more about these issues, the emotional aftermath
of these crimes, and how to provide support is valuable for everyone.
New Student Orientation
28
Also available from Penn State Great Valley Student Services is a listing of resources near the
Penn State Great Valley Campus that provide help and support to sexual assault victims,
including 24 hour hot lines. This resource list is also available online at
http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/womenscenter/resources/ccsar.shtml
http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/womenscenter/resources/ and
http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/womenscenter/campusresources/csar_greatvalley.html
Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Hotline
Penn State offers a universal hotline for reporting concerns about all misconduct, including
sexual assault and relationship violence.
The hotline also can be used to report Ethics and Compliance concerns and bias issues.
The phone number for the combined Penn State Hotline is 800-560-1637. Reports can also be
made online at http://hotline.psu.edu.
An independent third party administers the hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and reports
can be made anonymously and without fear of retaliation. For calls regarding sexual assault or
relationship violence, callers will be connected with confidential support services at their
geographic location.
Victims Services at Penn State
Any Penn State student, employee, or visitor who has been the victim of, or witness to, a
crime is eligible for victim services. These services typically include, but are not limited to,
the following:
 Consultation about a problem, situation, incident, or crime
 Crisis intervention and/or ongoing support
 Victim service information and referrals
 Explanation of court and legal proceedings
 Assistance in preparing for and accompaniment to court appearances
 Accompaniment during police interviews
 Notification to instructors of time missed from class due to a criminal incident
You are encouraged to contact the Victim Resource Officer via email or at 814-863-1907
during regular business hours to discuss your situation or to arrange an appointment. It is the
Victim Resource Officer's goal to see that you are treated with consideration, respect, and
sensitivity in all your interactions with the legal system. Our aim is to provide you with the
necessary information and support to enable you to make the best choices available. For more
information, visit http://www.police.psu.edu/up-police/services/victim-services.cfm
New Student Orientation
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Penn State’s Bystander Intervention Initiative
As part of the University’s efforts to combat sexual assault and harassment, the University’s
“Bystander Intervention Initiative” is initially focused on providing students, faculty, and staff
with information, training, and tools to help stop sexual and relationship violence. Many
people have had experiences in life where they saw something and wanted to step in to help
someone, but something got in the way. The PSU bystander intervention initiative will help
educate and inform people about they can intervene in safe and effective ways.
Participants will learn practical techniques for stepping in and diffusing potentially
problematic situations when appropriate, and seeking help when needed to prevent situations
from escalating.
Penn State Great Valley will launch its Bystander Intervention Initiative in late January 2016,
with information available in the Main Lobby of the Main Building and by emails sent to
students’ webmail accounts. Training for faculty, staff, and students will be available
beginning in late spring 2016.
Emergency Management and
Behavioral Threat Management
Keeping the Penn State community safe is an ongoing priority for Penn State. We have
substantially increased our efforts to plan for and emphasize safety and security.
Penn State’s Emergency Management Office has established a well-coordinated network of
emergency management professionals at the local, state, and federal levels. We engage in
training exercises with police and other agencies throughout the year, and a full-time
emergency management director is based at University Park.
Although we believe our Penn State campuses to be as safe as any community, we are
working to improve our systems on a continuing basis. The University’s Emergency
Management web site (http://www.emergencymanagement.psu.edu)
contains information about our emergency management efforts and important links to Penn
State resources as well as to state and federal management agencies. Please take the time to
familiarize yourself with the information available. Thank you for your role in fostering a safe
community.
Penn State's Behavioral Threat Management Team (BTMT) is committed to the safety and
well-being of the University community. It exists to:




Educate others to recognize risky or threatening behavior
Increase awareness of potential threats and how to report and respond to them
Identify trends that negatively affect the campus community
Manage all referred incidents and other processes related to threat analysis
New Student Orientation
30
If you are concerned that someone is acting in a manner that indicates they might need some
type of assistance, and you are uncomfortable or not sure on how you should proceed, you
should share your concerns with the BTMT. The BTMT can then look into your concern and
make an appropriate referral if necessary.
You can go to the Behavior Threat Management Team's web site at http://btmt.psu.edu. You
can also call 814-863-BTMT(2868) for more specific questions you might have about the
team.
New Student Orientation
31
Additional Resources
New Student Orientation
32
Bookstore
The Penn State Bookstore, operated by Barnes and Noble, works closely with your professors
to ensure that only those editions that your professors use in the classroom are sold, saving
you time and stress about finding it yourself.
All textbooks for Great Valley courses may be purchased in person at the Great Valley
Campus Bookstore or online at www.psugv.bkstore.com. Textbooks can be mailed to
students for a small postage and handling fee. If ordering online, books can be picked up at
the Great Valley Campus Bookstore at no extra charge. Students may pay by cash, check,
VISA, Master Card, Discover, American Express, or Barnes and Noble gift card.
Textbooks in good condition may be returned to the bookstore through the first week of class
during regular store hours for a full refund with your receipt.
While many graduate students prefer to keep their textbooks after the course ends, the
Bookstore may buy back usable textbooks in good condition at the end of the term. Books
must include all original materials (CDs, workbooks, etc.) and a Student ID or identification
may be required at the time of buyback. Please check with the Bookstore for more details.
A textbook rental program is available, also. With textbook rentals, students may realize
significant savings, paying up to less than half of what they would to purchase a new, printed
textbook. This program allows students to rent their books either in the store or online at
www.psugv.bkstore.com. Rental fees can be paid for using any form of tender currently
accepted by the bookstore (A valid credit card is required for security.). While not every
textbook title is included in the rental program, the majority of our titles are available for
rental.
The Great Valley Campus Bookstore also sells school supplies, Penn State apparel and
memorabilia, and a variety of refreshments and light meal options, including sandwiches,
fruit, and beverages.
For more information, contact the Great Valley Campus Bookstore at 610-648-3213 or via
email at sm445@bncollege.com. When classes are in session, the Bookstore is open Monday
through Thursday, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., or on Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Bookstore also is open on the first Saturday of each semester until 2:00 p.m.
Bookstore Manager: Karen O’Hara
Bookstore Staff: Mala Washington
New Student Orientation
33
Information Technology Services for Students
SGPS Computer Services Department
As a student in a Penn State graduate program, you have access to:
The Equipment
 60+ computer workstations
 Flatbed document scanning station
 Software applications that you need for class are installed on many or all of these
computers
 Black and white laser printing on high-speed networked laser printers (details about
student printing privileges can be found at http://clc.its.psu.edu/printing/pricing or in
the Great Valley Computer Center)
 Full, rapid Internet and World Wide Web access on all lab computers
The Services
 A Penn State specific e-mail address
 Access to two different email systems at PSU (Web mail and ANGEL course mail)
 Your schedule, grades, financial aid, your bill, and other student record information
online using eLion (see https://elion.psu.edu/ )
 Low, academic prices on computer software through the Penn State Computer
Store/Software at Penn State (see http://www.computerstore.psu.edu )
 FREE Web page hosting on Penn State’s Web server. Design and maintain your own
Web presence! (see http://www.personal.psu.edu)
 Wireless computing access in the School’s buildings
 For links to Penn State’s computing resources, visit
http://www.sgps.psu.edu/StudentServices/IT/cs.htm
The People
 Technology Services Consultants are available during Computer Center hours of
operation.
 Location
Penn State School of Graduate Professional Studies Computer Center, Main Building,
Ground Floor (across from Library)
Telephone
Help Desk/General Information 610-648-3230 or email gvhelpdesk@psu.edu
Hours
During the semester, when classes are in session, the Computer Center hours are
normally:
Monday through Thursday - 9:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Friday - 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday - 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday – Closed
New Student Orientation
34
For holiday and off-semester hours, please visit
http://www.sgps.psu.edu/StudentServices/IT/31872.htm
Computer Center Staff
Abbey Philip, Network/System Administrator
Morris Chio, Network Specialist
Chong So, Network Specialist/Help Desk Coordinator
Bob Gray, Network Specialist
Technology Services Consultants
The Computer Center staff includes Technology Services Consultants who can be
reached at the Campus’s Computer Center Help Desk at 610-648-3230
Library Services for Students
Penn State Great Valley Library
Great Valley Library web site: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/greatvalley.html
University Libraries web site: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/home.html
Online Catalog, Databases, and Full-text Resource Access
Penn State’s on-line catalog and database resources are available via the web from the Libraries homepage
at http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/home.html and the Great Valley Library homepage at
http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/greatvalley.html. You will need a Penn State Access Account and
password to be able to use many of the on-line services.
Access to Full-text Resources
Full-text electronic resources, including journals may be accessed by clicking on Databases in the START
HERE section. In addition, many of the on-line catalog (CAT) records found through Books and More
contain links to the url for resources available full-text. Individual titles may be searched by going to EJournals under START HERE. Online Reference resources can be found through the link under the
RESEARCH tab.
Interlibrary Loan
Materials that are not available at Great Valley or within Penn State as well as journal articles from other
PSU campuses can be requested via interlibrary loan using the University Libraries Interlibrary Loan web
product that can be found by clicking on the Interlibrary Loan link under the RESEARCH tab. Books
from within the Penn State system can be ordered by using the I Want It feature on the CAT.
Reference Consultations and Other Library Instruction
New Student Orientation
35
Library staff will be happy to conduct a Reference Consultation with you to teach you to use the CAT, the
databases and full-text resources, how to develop search strategies, APA style and more, or we can help
you locate those hard-to-find references. To arrange a consultation contact Jennifer Cywinski,
Electronic Reserves
University Libraries provides electronic reserves for your classes. You can access your class reserves under
Course Reserves in the START HERE section of the Libraries’ or Great Valley’s web pages.
E-books
Ask at the Library’s Information Desk about available e-books.
Ordering Materials
You may suggest materials to be added to the library collection. Send requests to the Great Valley Library
by emailing Jennifer Cywinski, Information Resources and Services Support Specialist, at jec40@psu.edu
or ul-greatvalley@lists.psu.edu
Tri-State College Library Cooperative (TCLC)
Penn State Great Valley is a member of the Tri-State College Library Cooperative. The forty-five libraries
located around the Delaware Valley will allow you to use their library and sign out books. For a list of
libraries check the TCLC web page at http://www.tclclibs.org/ and then stop at the Library Information
Desk to get a letter of introduction.
Virtual Reference Service
You can contact University Libraries’ Reference Librarians virtually by clicking on the HELP button on
the lower left side of the Libraries’ or Great Valley’s homepages.
Bookable Group Study Space
The Library provides a bookable group study room for student use. Call 610-648-3215 to reserve the room.
Collaborative Workstations
The Great Valley Library provides five collaborative workstations for those doing group work. Four are
located in the Library’s Reference area, the other is in the Group Study Room. For more information
contact the Library staff at 610-648-3392.
Media Commons
New Student Orientation
36
The Instructional Design Department also coordinates the Media Commons giving students the facilities
for multimedia, audio and video development for class projects. For more information contact the Library
staff at 610-648-3358. You can find out more by visiting http://mediacommons.psu.edu/.
Contacting the Library
Information Desk Phone: 610-648-3215
Reference Desk phone: 610-648-3235
Reference, Instruction: 610-648-3392
Circulation and Interlibrary Loan (including Electronic Reserves): 610-648-3392
Library Assistant for Technology (Troubleshooting the CAT and databases): 610-648-3392
For a complete directory of Great Valley Library staff, visit
http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/greatvalley/staffdirectory.html
STUDENT PARKING RULES AND REGULATIONS
Any vehicle parked on campus shall be parked at the owner's risk. The University assumes no
responsibility or liability for theft, damage, or personal injury.
All vehicles must be parked between two white lines designating a legal parking space. Parking
is prohibited on walks, grassy areas, loading zones, service drives, entrance and exit traffic lanes,
yellow curbed areas and in any other area not designated specifically, by markings, as a parking
space. The University reserves the right to tow, at the owner's expense, any vehicle illegally
parked in any on-campus location.
Students with temporary or permanent physical disabilities must obtain a temporary plaque
from the Department of Motor Vehicles. To apply for disabled parking, call 717-787-2670 and
ask for Form Number MV145A.
VIOLATIONS AND PENALTY RATES
The following penalty rates are in effect:
Violations
Parking
violations must be paid within five Penalty
(5)
business days. Checks payable to Pennsylvania State
Illegally parked
on adjacent
propertyOffice,
$50.00
University
may be
mailed toprivate
the Business
Illegally
parked
inValley,
handicapped
space
$50.00
Penn
State
Great
and 30
E. Swedesford
Unregistered vehicle
$50.00
Road,
Malvern, Pa. 19355. In-person payments
can
Parked in reserved space
$15.00
beParked
madealong
between
8:00
a.m.
and
4:30
p.m.,
Monday
driveway or yellow curb area
$15.00 Friday
at
the
Business
Office.
Parked in a no parking area
$15.00
Parked in area not designated as parking space $15.00
Violation notices may be appealed within five (5) days of the date of the ticket, in writing, to the
SGPS Office of Business Services. If parking violations are not paid, a registration hold or graduation
hold will be authorized. Chronic violations may result in suspension or cancellation of students'
parking privileges on the Great Valley campus.
New Student Orientation
37
ANGEL
ANGEL is Penn State’s online course environment, where you will access your syllabi,
course lessons, grades, class discussions, and more.
Using your user ID and password (after you have activated your Penn State Access Account),
you can log into ANGEL.
You’ll use ANGEL’s email tool (which is different from your Penn State email account) to
communicate and share documents with classmates and your instructor.
To access Angel, follow these steps:
1.
Go to https://cms.psu.edu/default.asp
2.
Click Log On, and enter your PSU Access Account User ID and password.
3.
Access your course information and store your personal information.
4.
Be sure to log off to maintain accurate course data.
5.
For updates you can visit the ANGEL Community Hub.
6. IMPORTANT: Access your ANGEL account for your course a few days to a week prior
to the start of the class.
Concurrent Programs
Penn State encourages graduate students to focus on one degree objective at a time. However,
a candidate for an advanced degree in one major field who wishes to apply for admission to a
master’s degree in a second field while concurrently completing the first program may
petition to do so. The department heads of both programs and the dean of the Graduate
School must approve any such plan.
This innovative, interdisciplinary approach enables students to complete two master’s degrees
with up to a possible 20 percent reduction in the total course load because selected courses
may meet degree requirements for both programs. This is the only situation in which Penn
State will “double count” graduate credits.
Students interested in exploring a concurrent degree opportunity should consult with the
graduate program heads responsible for each major field. If both approve, the student and
department heads will draw up a plan of study designed to meet the requirements of both
degree programs. Any requirements, such as completing prerequisite course work prior to
New Student Orientation
38
actual graduate enrollment, should be noted in the stated plan of study as part of the
agreement.
The project, paper, or thesis requirements for each concurrent degree program must be
equivalent in rigor and scope to that which would be required for a separate degree program.
If a paper is required for both programs, two separate and distinct papers must be submitted.
Important:
You must apply for a concurrent program PRIOR to completing 75 percent of your first
graduate program, and prior to the semester in which you declare your intent to
graduate.
While students must apply for admission to a second program before they have
graduated from their first program in order to receive the reduction in total credits,
students who receive federal loans should complete all course work for their first
program before enrolling in course work for their second program. Failure to complete
the first program first may jeopardize the student’s eligibility for federal student loans.
Admission Process for Concurrent Candidacy

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
Enroll in your first choice of graduate degree program at our School.
Early in your enrollment in that first program (can be as early as during the first course
and prior to completing 75 percent of your first graduate program and prior to declaring
your intent to graduate), contact the Admissions Office at Great Valley to begin the
Concurrent Candidacy process.
Submit to our Admissions Office any additional application documents necessary for
admission to the second degree program which were not required for admission to the first
degree program.
Admissions staff will create a new application packet with your credentials and submit it
to the second department for review.
Meet with the two department heads to set up the plan of study. This requires setting up
one or two appointments in advance.
At the time of the advising sessions, the student and the first program head will sign the
concurrent form.
The second department will make a decision and the contract will be forwarded to the
Graduate School for final approval. If approved, the second program will offer you
admission in a formal offer letter.
Return the signed concurrent contract to the Admissions Office at Great Valley.
A concurrent contract can be processed only if the student has not graduated from the
original program of enrollment. Not all graduate programs at our School permit concurrent
candidacy. Check with the departments of interest for concurrent possibilities.
New Student Orientation
39
Planning for Graduation
To graduate, you must satisfy all the University, college, and major requirements that were in
effect at the time of your most recent admission, or re-enrollment, as a degree candidate to the
University and have achieved at least a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B).
When you are nearing graduation, you need to follow two simple steps to ensure inclusion
on the graduation list. It is your responsibility to notify the University of your intent to
graduate.
1. At the beginning of the semester in which you plan to graduate, determine the
deadline for filing your “intent to graduate” by going to the campus academic
calendar at http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Academics/calendars.htm.
In the table, select the semester in which you plan to graduate and click through to
learn the deadline for that semester and all other important dates associated with that
semester.
2. Next, go to https://elion.psu.edu/ to file your “intent to graduate” (you must have
an active Access Account). Complete the sign-on process by entering your user ID
and password. Choose “Graduating This Semester” from the directory on the
left and follow the directions from there to set or remove your intent.
Note: After the activation period expires, you must contact your academic division to
activate or remove your intent to graduate. If, at any time, you experience a problem in
the process, contact the Registrar’s Office at Penn State Great Valley at 610-648-3275.
Details about graduation may be found at on the School website at
http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Academics/graduation.htm
Veterans Services
Veterans who plan to use the GI Bill educational benefits available through the Veterans
Administration can request enrollment verification through the Office of Student Aid at
Penn State Great Valley.
Honorably discharged veterans are granted priority (early) registration at Penn
State. Veterans may schedule classes ahead of students without priority registration
benefits, based on a registration timeline set by each campus.
For more information, visit http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Admissions/FinancialAid/33388.htm
New Student Orientation
40
Co-curricular Programs for Students
A variety of co-curricular programs is available to students at SGPS, including the
Management Division’s monthly Research Showcase and the Engineering Division’s Lecture
Series. In addition, the campus offers lectures, films, speaker series, workshops, and exhibits
relating to art, culture, diversity, career management, sports, and politics, among other topics.
Visit the campus website frequently for activity updates at
http://www.sgps.psu.edu/default.htm and
http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Information/Community/31978.htm
Join the Blue and White Society!
For more than 135 years, the Penn State Alumni Association has been the keeper of Penn
State pride and traditions. For just $15 a year, you can become a member of the Penn State
Great Valley Blue and White Society, the student contingent of the largest dues-paying
alumni association in the world.
What does the Blue and White Society offer you?




Networking events and opportunities
Access to the Alumni Association's powerful online directory to reach out to the more
than 513,000 alumni across the nation and the world.
Free T-shirt designed for members of the Blue and White Society and Penn Stater
Magazine.
Discounts at PSU Bookstore locations and on travel.
For more information visit the Blue and White Society page on the Penn State Great Valley
website at http://www.sgps.psu.edu/default.htm
My Career Transitions
Penn State Great Valley and its Alumni Society have partnered with a group called
MyCareerTransitions, an all-volunteer job counseling group, to provide a free, monthly forum
for PSGV students and Penn State alumni to learn job search strategies, exchange
information, and develop networking relationships. Professionals from the community also
are invited to attend.
This partnership represents a superb opportunity for professionals in career transition to
leverage the combined resources of the two groups for valuable professional development and
skill building. MyCareerTransitions was founded in 2005 by Penn State alumnus Bart Ruff.
"The purpose of the group is to be a resource for professionals who, despite successful
careers, simply don't know how to navigate a downsizing or other career change. As a Penn
New Student Orientation
41
State Great Valley alum, I am pleased to be collaborating with Great Valley's Alumni
Society," says Ruff.
Monthly meetings are held the second Saturday of each month at PSGV's Malvern campus
and feature lectures on relevant topics, as well as opportunities for networking and support.
For more information, visit the MCT website at http://mycareertransitions.com/new/
At A Glance: Resources to report suspected illegal or unethical
conduct or to seek assistance
All members of the Penn State community are asked to be mindful of their individual
responsibility to help keep the University a safe and ethical institution.
At Penn State, we have made a commitment to the highest standard of ethical behavior among
all in our community. As a part of that commitment, we believe that our employees and
students should be able to raise questions or voice concerns about workplace and University
issues. This includes financial matters such as fraud, theft of University assets, or conflicts of
interest; and other misconduct or violations of University policy, including research
compliance matters, discrimination, athletics-compliance issues, or sexual misconduct.
University employees and students can report issues and/or ask questions via phone at 1-800560-1637 or online.
All reports can be anonymous so you can help maintain an ethical workplace and University
without fear of retaliation. We have made a commitment to ethical behavior and are asking
you to do the same. If you witness questionable activity in the workplace, report it.




An independent third party, The Network, Inc., administers the hotline on behalf of
Penn State.
The operators answering the calls are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and
are trained in making callers feel at ease and gathering information that will enable the
University to fully investigate the issues raised.
The hotline system allows an individual to follow up, either by telephone or the
Internet, to obtain status updates. They can be accessed by using passwords related to
the specific complaint.
When something is reported, it is forwarded to our office where the concerns are
investigated or sent on to another appropriate Penn State department for investigation.
For more information, and to access the telephone numbers of other key Penn State and
Community offices and organizations that can assist with reporting matters, visit
http://www.psu.edu/hotlines
New Student Orientation
42
If a child is a victim of any kind of abuse, including sexual abuse: Contact the
Pennsylvania Child Welfare Services "ChildLine" at 800-932-0313.
The University does not condone wrongful conduct by any member of the Penn State
community no matter what his or her position is. Members of the University community are
urged to speak up if they see or suspect illegal or unethical conduct, and to be assured that the
University will protect them from retaliation.
An Online Module about Sexual Violence Education
All continuing students at Penn State Great Valley are asked to review an eLearning module
entitled “Sexual Violence Education at Penn State” -- this module provides important
information about sexual assault and sexual harassment, and is designed to help students
develop practical skills to keep themselves, their loved ones, and friends safe. You can access
this module at http://edge.psu.edu. Scroll down to the section “Other Online Workshops.”
New Student Orientation
43
Steps in the Federal Graduate Student Loan Process
www.sgps.psu.edu/studentloans
Students manage their loan process on eLion using an active Penn State student access account. If you do
not have an active student access account, request Electronic Account Activation email instructions at 814865-4357.
Finish all steps in the loan process before your semester bill due date. Allow 3 weeks to complete the loan
process. More time may be needed for individual circumstances.
No loan will be generated unless the student is enrolled in a minimum of five credits per semester and has
submitted a FAFSA.
1)
Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov by June 30 each year
to apply for federal graduate student loans. Use PSU School Code 003329. Once your FAFSA is
in Penn State’s system, you will receive an email from the University instructing you to use your
eLion Student Aid Summary. For a “Guide to Your Student Aid Summary,” see
www.studentaid.psu.edu.
2)
Sign up for your semester classes. This is the first of two steps in the Penn State semester
registration process (see #8 for the second step). PSU graduate students must be enrolled in at
least 5 credits (400 level or above) per 14-week semester (typically two courses at Penn State
Great Valley) to generate a federal student loan. Your loan will be requested once your FAFSA is
on file and you claim that you are finished enrolling for the semester. When signing up for
classes, do not claim to be done until you have 2 courses on your schedule or no loan will be
generated.
3)
Additional step for Summer Loans: Stafford funds not used in the fall and spring semesters
must be requested for use in the summer. Make a summer loan request after April 1 on eLion
(Summer Direct Stafford Loan Request). Watch for email confirmation that your request has been
reviewed, and continue to Steps 4, 5 & 6, as appropriate. If you reach your Stafford cap before
summer, you may request a Grad PLUS Loan for summer courses after April 1 (see #7). Loan
refunds for summer are disbursed after the student’s latest summer class has begun.
4)
Check eLion and your Penn State webmail for messages about your loan request. The Office
of Student Aid communicates important information to your Penn State webmail. A Federal
Stafford Loan will appear on both your eLion “Student Aid Summary” (SAS) and as “Estimated
Aid” on your eLion bill. Your Student Aid Summary (SAS) provides current loan status, a
Checklist of next steps, and a Loan Debt Summary. As a student loan recipient, check your Penn
State webmail and eLion Student Aid Summary frequently.
5)
Complete the federal loan requirements. No loan funds are applied to your account until
federal requirements are met. For details, see the podcasts at www.studentaid.psu.edu and your
personal Student Aid Summary checklist.
a) Sign the federal Master Promissory Note for the Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan at
www.studentloans.gov
b) Complete federal Loan Entrance Counseling for the Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan at
www.studentloans.gov
c) Graduate students may be required to supply additional identity verification documents. If
you receive a letter from the Office of Student Aid or see a list of requested items in your
Student Aid Summary, respond promptly by the due date to avoid a delay in your loan
process.
6)
Adjust your Stafford Loan amount each semester before completing your registration.
Your semester loan will originally show at the maximum level you have been allotted. You do not
need to borrow the full amount. In order to reserve Stafford funds for summer courses and keep
your student loan debt as low as possible, students are encouraged to decrease semester loans to
New Student Orientation
44
only the amounts needed to pay for tuition, fees and books if necessary. To decrease your loan
amount:
 Decide how much to borrow and verify your current loan amount on your eLion Student Aid
Summary and bill page
o Make no changes to your loan amount if you want to borrow the full allotment for the
semester. Excess funds not needed to pay your bill will be forwarded to you as a refund
after the semester begins (in summer, after the second session begins). See “Refunds” at
www.bursar.psu.edu.
o Request a Stafford loan decrease if you want a semester loan for an amount lower than
the amount shown.
1. Select Loan Decrease under the eLion Financial menu and follow the directions to
bring your loan amount to the gross amount you choose. If you wish to cancel your
loan entirely, list the new gross amount as zero. Watch for a confirmation message
for your request
2. Wait 24 hours. Before completing your registration, check the Student Aid
Summary and your eLion bill to verify that the change you requested is recorded on
your student record. Complete your registration only after your loan decrease
shows.
 You have 30 days from the date your loan disburses to return all or part of your loan funds
through the Office of the Bursar. If you do not make this request within 30 days, the amount
listed on your Student Aid Summary is the loan amount awarded that semester.
 Loan decrease requests on eLion must be made at least 3 business days before your bill due
date and will only be processed when the University Park Office of Student Aid is open.
Loan decrease requests will not be processed during University closures.
 Loan Increase requests and second decrease requests: Students may request one loan
decrease on eLion each semester. A loan increase or a second decrease may be requested by
sending an email from your PSU email to gvstudentaid@psu.edu. In the subject line, write
“Loan Adjustment Request,” and in the body of the message indicate your name, 9-digit PSU
ID, the gross loan amount desired, and the semester/year. Watch your Student Aid Summary
after 24 hours for a notation that your request has been processed.
 Spring loan amounts will automatically mirror the previous fall loan amounts if your credit
load is the same each semester. If you wish to borrow a different amount in spring than you
were awarded in fall, send an email requesting a loan adjustment, following the instructions
above for loan increases/second decreases.
7)
Apply for a federal Graduate PLUS Loan, only if you reach your Stafford Loan maximum and
need more funding.
a) Review Graduate PLUS Loan information at psu.edu/types-of-aid/loans/graduate-PLUS
and studentaid.ed.gov.
b) Request a PLUS loan in an amount up to your Cost of Attendance minus other financial
aid. Your COA is listed on your Student Aid Summary. Use the PLUS worksheet at
www.studentaid.psu.edu. On the eLion Financial menu, select PLUS Request Form, and
enter the amount you are requesting for the semester
c) Wait 48 hours for a response in your eLion Student Aid Summary. If approved, a PLUS
loan will show on your Student Aid Summary and appear as a credit in the Estimated Aid
section of your eLion bill
d) Sign the Master Promissory Note and complete Loan Entrance Counseling for the Grad
Plus Loan at www.studentloans.ed.gov (see your eLion Student Aid Summary Checklist for
directions).
8)
Complete your semester registration [pay your bill using your loan(s)]. This is the second of
two steps in the Penn State semester registration process (see #2 for Step 1). Loan funds are only
disbursed when registration is complete. Verify your loan amount in the Estimated Aid section of
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your eLion bill page, select to confirm your attendance “without a payment,” and wait for a
confirmation message. See also www.bursar.psu.edu/instructions.
Complete your registration by your bill due date listed on your bill page. Before the due date,
students may request a bill due date extension on the bill page. Registrations completed late are
charged a late fee. Loans are cancelled if registration is not complete. Click “View Transaction
History” for a breakdown of your payment activity. For information on loan refunds, see
“Refunds” at www.bursar.psu.edu.
9)
Check your Penn State email frequently. Your Penn State email account is different from your
class Angel mail. You can check your email at https://webmail.psu.edu or by clicking on
“Webmail” at the top of your class Angel page.
10) Follow your loan regularly on your eLion Student Aid Summary. See the Student Aid
Summary Guide at http://studentaid.psu.edu/apply/student-aid-summary-guides/new-students.
11) Review loan information posted at www.sgps.psu.edu/studentloans and
www.studentaid.psu.edu.
This document is posted at www.sgps.psu.edu/student loans
Contact the Great Valley campus Office of Student Aid at gvstudentaid@psu.edu or 610648-3311
For more information on graduate and professional student loans at Penn State, see
www.studentaid.psu.edu
Contact University Park Student Aid at 814-863-0322, M-F 8:00 am–4:30 pm, or submit a question under “Contact” at
www.studentaid.psu.edu
Writing Center
Students looking to improve their writing skills can take advantage of the following services
available through the School Writing Center.
•
Private Tutoring: In-person and via email, students work one-on-one with the writing
coach to develop and revise their work.
•
Periodic Workshops: See below for information about upcoming Spring 2016 Writing
Workshops or visit sgps.psu.edu/workshops/.
•
Writing Resources: Find a range of writing resources online at
sgps.psu.edu/WCResources/.
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In-person tutoring is available by appointment Tuesday through Thursday from 3:00 to 8:00
p.m. Email tutoring is available at other times. Visit the website at sgps.psu.edu/writingcenter/ to learn more. The Writing Center is located on the first floor of the Main Building.
To make an appointment for tutoring, contact Erica Vinskie at GVWritingCenter@psu.edu.
SPRING 2016 WORKSHOPS
Writing in Graduate School: Back to Basics
Wednesday, January 27 or Thursday, March 24 | 5:00 to 5:55 p.m.
From developing essays to decoding the sometimes mysterious conventions of academic
discourse, this workshop offers participants tools to become competent graduate-level writers.
Clear, Coherent, Concise: Five Strategies for Writing with Style
Thursday, January 28 or Wednesday, March 23 | 5:00 to 5:55 p.m.
A readable writing style depends less on talent and more on careful crafting of sentences and
paragraphs. This workshop presents five strategies to transform weak, wordy writing that
stumbles into precise, powerful prose that flows.
APA: A Primer
Wednesday, February 3 or Thursday, March 31 | 5:00 to 5:45 p.m.
Many courses at Penn State Great Valley require use of American Psychological Association
(APA) editorial style. This mini-workshop surveys APA style guidelines and formatting rules.
Presentation Design & Delivery
Thursday, February 4 or Wednesday, March 30 | 5:00 to 5:55 p.m.
This workshop offers simple strategies for developing, designing, and delivering oral
presentations that inform, engage, and persuade
Penn State Values
Among the major outcomes of the most recent Penn State Values and Culture Survey is the
creation of a statement of core values for the University. Called the Penn State Values, the list
directly represents the feedback of students, faculty and staff at all Penn State locations.
The values are:
INTEGRITY: We act with integrity and honesty in accordance with the highest academic,
professional, and ethical standards.
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47
RESPECT: We respect and honor the dignity of each person, embrace civil discourse, and
foster a diverse and inclusive community.
RESPONSIBILITY: We act responsibly, and we are accountable for our decisions, actions,
and their consequences.
DISCOVERY: We seek and create new knowledge and understanding, and foster creativity
and innovation, for the benefit of our communities, society, and the environment.
EXCELLENCE: We strive for excellence in all our endeavors as individuals, an institution,
and a leader in higher education.
COMMUNITY: We work together for the betterment of our University, the communities we
serve, and the world.
Further Information
For more information on the Penn State Values, please see the following resources:



Town Hall Meetings on the Penn State Values to Begin This Month, February 18,
2015
Community Feedback Forms The Penn State Values, September 19, 2014
Faculty Senate Forensic Report on Penn State Values and The Pennsylvania State
University Values and Culture Survey, August 22, 2014
Note: The information contained in this New Student Orientation notebook is subject to change at any time.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the SGPS website at sgps.psu.edu, the Penn State University website at
psu.edu, or contact the Student Services Office at Penn State Great Valley, telephone 610-648-3275 or via email
at gvadmiss@psu.edu
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