FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ACADEMIC

• Question: Procedure for contacting faculty?
  Answer: Inform person of faculty member's whereabouts- in class-not on campus, etc.  Suggest ways to handle:  (1) leave name/number and faculty member will call back; (2) Call faculty - leave message on voice mail; (3) Provide with faculty e-mail.  In extreme emergency, call faculty at home-leave message.
  
• Question:  Must take exam - need proctor.  Who handles, and how to schedule?
  Answer: Person is given information needed to complete form for a proctor. Harriet Galida (DAA Staff Assistant) then informs person the exam will be sent to her, and student will receive notification of same. Student to call Harriet and mutually convenient testing time is scheduled. If person has difficulty coming during normal working hours, CE office will help if possible. If not, Harriet will stay after work or come in on Saturday. Students are normally not PS-Fayette students, but from UP, or other institutions.
• Question: How do I get my semester grades?
  Answer: Telephone (1-800-876-0354) or on the web (eLion.psu.edu or www.getgrades.com)
• Question:  What exactly do I need to do to move to degree status?
  Answer: To move to associate degree status, must complete 9 credits (with GPA of 2.0 or higher) and to baccalaureate degree status - 18 credits (GPA of 2.0 or higher). In addition, all entry requirements must be met for specific majors/colleges. Contact Jane Witt 724- 430-4150 or Admissions 724-430-4130.
• Question: I have credits from another institution.  Can I use them at PSU?
  Answer:  Evaluation of credits is done by Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Upon approval, see Jane Witt (Advising) 724-430-4150 for placement.  
• Question: Who is my advisor?
  Answer: DUS assigns faculty advisors to all students. Contact Advising Office 724-430-4150 or see eLion on Web.
• Question:  Who administers FTCAP?
  Answer:  DUS administers FTCAP (First-year testing, counseling and advising program). FTCAP covers placement testing (for English, math and chemistry) and academic orientation.
• Question: How can I get a degree audit?
  Answer: eLion.psu.edu or contact Advising Office 724-430-4150
• Question: How do I get my transcript?
  Answer:  Official transcripts can only be produced in the University Registrar's Office, Shields Building, University Park 814-865-6357. Transcripts can be ordered by mail, fax, or via the web (for students enrolled in 1986 or later) for fee of $6.
• Question: Could you explain the process of peer tutoring?
  Answer:  Contact Mary Ann Walters, Director, The Teaching and Learning Center 724-430-4269 (or e-mail maw32@psu.edu). Center is located in the Library lower level.

ADMISSIONS (GETTING STARTED)

• Question:  What are the entrance requirements to Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus?
  Answer:  The Admissions Office considers all of the following when making a decision on an application:
  • Final grades in all subject areas for years nine, ten, and eleven of high school, if the student is currently a high school senior
  • Class rank
  • Required Carnegie Units (High School classes)
  • SAT/ACT scores
  • Grade point average from previously attended colleges/universities, if the student is transferring from another institution
  • Any supplemental information (essays, letters, etc.) the student chooses to send with their application
• Question: What is the application fee?
  Answer: The application fee is $50, and is payable to The Pennsylvania State University. It should be sent in with the student's application. The application fee is not refundable.
• Question: Does Penn State offer an early decision program?
  Answer: No, Penn State does not employ an early decision program in its admission process.
• Question: How long after completing the application will I receive a response?
  Answer:  In general, if your complete application and credentials are received in Admissions by November 30 your anticipated notification date should be no later than January 31. If your application and credentials are received by December 31, your anticipated notification date should be no later than February 28. Moreover, if your complete applications and credentials are received in Admissions on or after January 1, your anticipated notification date should be after March 1. Decisions for programs that include an audition, interview, or a portfolio may require a longer review period.
• Question: What is Penn State Fayette's School Code?
  Answer:  003329
• Question: When is the application deadline?
  Answer:  We recommend that applications be submitted by November 30. Applications will be accepted after this date but it may become more difficult to gain acceptance to first choice majors and/or campus. Furthermore, students are encouraged to apply early for financial aid and scheduling purposes.
• Question: How will I be notified of the decision on my application?
  Answer:  All students are notified through the mail regarding the outcome of the application evaluation.
• Question: Can students be admitted without a SAT or ACT score?
  Answer: Yes, a student can be admitted to Fayette even if they have not taken the SAT or ACT. Please contact the Admissions Office at 724-430-4130 for further details.
• Question:  Is the admissions application available on the web?
  Answer:  Yes. Penn State makes its application available in both paper and web form. The Web application is normally available for use earlier than the paper form. To apply via the web, go to https://www.admissions.psu.edu/my_admissions/login/login.cfm. The paper applications is available by contacting the Admissions Office or through your high school guidance office.
• Question: Will you waive my application fee and acceptance fee?
  Answer:  With documentation verifying that you cannot pay the fees, the Admissions Office will consider waiving fee. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application to verify your income.
• Question: I'm an adult student returning to school.  What is my first step?
  Answer: Contact the Adult Admissions Office (Louis Ridgley) 724-430-4133.

ALUMNI SOCIETY

• Question: To order Penn State Creamery ice cream:
  Answer:  Fayette's Alumni Society sells Penn State ice cream as fundraiser for our society's student scholarship program once or twice a year. Call Janet Kowalczyk at 724-430-4190
  
• Question: Do you have or can you get me Penn State Football tickets?
  Answer:  Fayette's Alumni Society usually obtains a few tickets (24-40) for Homecoming game which are obtained by a lottery at PSU through Alumni Association.  
• Question: From a donor:  How much have I given?  Did it go to the designation I specified?  How much more do I need to give to get a leaf on the donor's tree?
  Answer:  Contact Development Office (Janet Kowalczyk - 724-430-4190) for this information.
• Question: What is number for the University Park Alumni Association?
  Answer:  Call 1-800-548-5466.  Listen to the message or press 0 to speak to an operator to assist you.

DIRECTIONS

• Question: Directions to Fayette or to University Park?
  Answer:Directions From Fayette to UP
  Take Route 119 North to 982
  Turn right onto 982 (at Sheetz)
  Take 982 to 31
  Turn right onto Route 31
  Get on turnpike at Donegal
  Take Bedford exit
  Take 99 North to 322 East
  
  Directions from UP to Fayette
  Take 322 West to 99 South
  Get on turnpike at Bedford
  Stay on turnpike to Donegal exit
  Turn right onto Route 31
  Take 982 and follow to Sheetz
  Turn left onto Route 119 South--to campus

FACILITY USAGE

• Question:  Can I use your facility for a meeting?
  Answer:  Contact the following personnel to schedule.
  

SCHOLARSHIP/FINANCIAL AID

• Question: What about financial aid?
  Answer: Call Al Thompson 724-430-4131 re: financial aid.
  
• Question: Federal Code for the federal aid application?
  Answer:  Code 003329
• Question:  Scholarships?
  Answer:   Scholarships are processed early, very competitive, and limited dollars. For outside scholarships check at Financial Aid Web Site.

BOOKSTORE

• Question:   How do I obtain a desk copy of a text?
  Answer: While the Bookstore cannot order desk copies for an instructor, they can provide them with the necessary information to obtain one such as ISBN and publisher phone.
  Note:  Desk copies must be delivered to the campus, they cannot be delivered to a home address. Adjunct faculty desk copies will be delivered to the DAA's office or their mailbox.
  
• Question:  Can you special order a book?
  Answer: Can order most in-print books. Usually takes about a week. Best to have as much information as possible about the book you wish to order (author, title, publisher, and ISBN).
• Question: Receive a PSU discount and hold special sales?
  Answer: All full-time faculty and staff receive a 10% discount on most items (excluding textbooks, course packets, sale and clearance items). There is 20% sale at Christmas.
  Using departmental charge card, receive 20% (tax-free) with same exclusions as for faculty and staff.
• Question: What is buyback?
  Answer:  Buyback is process of buying used books back from the students. Best time to sell books back is during finals week. Students must have student ID or driver's license to sell their books back.
• Question: When is buyback?
  Answer: Books are bought back every day. Students get most money back during finals week. No receipt needed to sell back books. Buyback value same for new/used text of your book. However, if a text came with CD when purchased, must be sold back with the CD even if the professor never used it.
• Question: Why is buyback value of my book so little or nothing at all?
  Answer: Several things affect the value of your book--condition of the book-all books must be in good condition (i.e. all pages intact, no water damage or broken binding), whether or not the bookstore is overstocked, the instructor has chosen not to use the book or is still undecided, national demand for the book
• Question: Why does this book cost so much?
  Answer: New edition has come out causing few or no used copies available--national demand for the used copies--not enough to go around for everyone that requests the--instructor chooses to use a different book--instructor chooses that only new copies be purchased.
• Question: What is your return policy?
  Answer: For textbooks: Full refunds will be given during the 1st week of classes with a receipt. After the 1st week, full refund will be given up to 30 days from the start of classes with a receipt if it is within 2 days of purchase OR with proof of schedule change. Textbooks must be in original condition, in the shrink wrap with all the stickers, and no writing in them. Refunds for summer and special course sessions will be accepted for ONE WEEK ONLY after the start of class. EXCEPTIONS:  Course packets are not returnable. All merchandise other than textbooks may be refunded at anytime with a valid receipt. During the RUSH period at the beginning of the semester all students receive a copy of the return policy on a bookmark that is stapled to their receipt when they make a purchase.
• Question: What are your hours?
  Answer:  Summer hours are: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., fall and spring semester hours are: Monday 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Tuesday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  Special extended hours including Saturday hours are offered during the first two weeks of the semester. Special hours during finals week for buyback.
• Question: Are my books in for next semester, and will you hold them for me?
  Answer:  Books for each semester are usually on shelves about a month before semester starts. Books cannot be held-they are sold on a first come first serve basis. Prepaid prepacks of your books are available if ordered 3 weeks before the class starts. Contact the bookstore for information 724-430-4180.
• Question: Can I place an order over the phone and can you ship it to me?
  Answer:  Yes, you can place an order over the phone with a valid credit card, and we can ship it to you UPS 3 Day Select for an additional $4.95 charge.
• Question:  What is the phone number for the UP Bookstore, and can I order from them as well?
  Answer:  The number for their catalog dept. is 1-800-543-5659. They will ship directly to you.