Priority Registration and Honor Cord

Penn State recognizes those who have honorably served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces by awarding priority registration and a red, white, and blue honor cord at graduation.

Priority registration allows veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, and National Guard to schedule classes ahead of the general student population. Once you have been granted priority registration, you can view your Enrollment Appointment Date in LionPATH to learn when you can register for courses.  

The term "veteran" refers to an individual who has served in the United States Armed Forces, including a reserve component and the National Guard, and was discharged or released from such service with a condition other than dishonorable. The term “actively serving” refers to an individual who is currently serving in the United States Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force, or Coast Guard), including a reserve or guard component.

Dependents of military members, including those using a transferred educational benefit, and personnel serving in state militias are not eligible for priority registration or a military honor cord.

Active-duty service members and veterans using tuition assistance (TA) or Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits will automatically be given priority registration when benefits are processed and will receive communications about their honor cord in the semester that they indicate their intent to graduate.

If you are not using a military educational benefit and have not already provided Penn State World Campus with proof of your military service, provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE), DD 214 (indicating character of discharge) or a letter from command stating your dates and characterization of service and signed by your commander. If you would like to use a template for this statement of service, contact our office to be provided with one. Common Access Card (CAC)–enabled signatures will be accepted.  

These documents should be sent to the Penn State World Campus Military Educational Benefits Office by fax or email. Please include your Penn State ID number and email address on all documents submitted.