A nonrefundable information technology (IT) fee — which supports the development and maintenance of the technology infrastructure of the University — is attached to all World Campus credit courses.
The amount of the fee varies, depending on the number of credits in which you are enrolled immediately prior to your first day of the semester, and the program in which you’re enrolled. (For estimated an estimated cost, use our tuition estimator.) Your IT access begins when you register for your first credit course.
Please note: The nonrefundable information technology fee is charged according to the number of credits in which you are enrolled immediately prior to their first day of the semester. Adding credits on or after the first day of the semester could result in a corresponding increase of the fee, but dropping credits on or after the first day of the semester will not reduce the fee charged.
When Will I Receive My Access Account?
Upon payment of the fee, you will receive a Penn State Access Account (user ID and password) that you can use to access:
- Penn State online courses, workshops, and other resources
- Penn State email
- Penn State University Libraries resources
- eLion
To receive a Penn State Access Account, you must agree to use your account in accordance with University policies. Also, federal aid guidelines require universities to have a signature on file for any charges that are not applied to all students. To comply with both of these regulations, you must read, complete, and return an Access Account Acceptance form before your registration process can be completed.
Are Access Accounts Required for Noncredit Courses?
If you are enrolling in a World Campus noncredit course, you will be required to obtain a free Friends of Penn State account, which will provide you with a user ID and access to any websites related to your course. It will not, however, provide you with a Penn State email account or access to other University services such as the Libraries. To obtain a Friends of Penn State account, follow these online instructions. You must have an active email address. If you do not have an active email address, please contact us.