Non-Degree Study
Penn State will not issue an I-20 or DS-2019 to a casual non-degree student. Study as a full-time non-degree student in F-1 or J-1 status is rare.
Certain academic departments and universities have agreements with Penn State and eligible students are contacted directly with instructions for requesting the form I-20 or DS-2019.
Sometimes Penn State academic departments will invite students from overseas institutions to study at Penn State as non-degree students. An academic department must indicate the reason it is supporting the request.
F-2 dependents may study part time without violating their status.
Further Information
- Non-degree students who are issued a Penn State I-20 or DS-2019 must be enrolled full time and maintain health insurance.
- If an I-20 or DS-2019 is not requested from our office, the financial guarantee documentation is not required.
- You may be asked to provide documentation of your current immigration status if currently in the United States.
Non-Degree Enrollment Requests
Academic Departments can submit the following to ISSA-Adviser@psu.edu:
- A letter from the Penn State academic department that states:
- Reason the department is making the request
- Plan of how the department will provide guidance and guarantee courses for full-time enrollment
- A letter from the non-degree applicant that states:
- Purpose of non-degree study
- Understanding that full-time registration is required
- Understanding that health insurance coverage is mandatory
- Understanding that non-degree study is limited to one semester
- Understanding that non-degree study does not guarantee degree admission
- Evidence of English language proficiency
- Financial guarantee for the duration of non-degree study (typically one semester only)
- Evidence of current immigration status if you are in the U.S.
Undergraduate non-degree questions refer to University Registrar.
Graduate non-degree questions send to gswww@psu.edu.
Certain academic departments and universities have agreements with Penn State and eligible students are contacted directly with instructions for requesting the form I-20 or DS-2019.
Sometimes Penn State academic departments will invite students from overseas institutions to study at Penn State as non-degree students. An academic department must indicate the reason it is supporting the request.
F-2 dependents may study part time without violating their status.
Further Information
- Non-degree students who are issued a Penn State I-20 or DS-2019 must be enrolled full time and maintain health insurance.
- If an I-20 or DS-2019 is not requested from our office, the financial guarantee documentation is not required.
- You may be asked to provide documentation of your current immigration status if currently in the United States.
Non-Degree Enrollment Requests
Academic Departments can submit the following to ISSA-Adviser@psu.edu:
- A letter from the Penn State academic department that states:
- Reason the department is making the request
- Plan of how the department will provide guidance and guarantee courses for full-time enrollment
- A letter from the non-degree applicant that states:
- Purpose of non-degree study
- Understanding that full-time registration is required
- Understanding that health insurance coverage is mandatory
- Understanding that non-degree study is limited to one semester
- Understanding that non-degree study does not guarantee degree admission
- Evidence of English language proficiency
- Financial guarantee for the duration of non-degree study (typically one semester only)
- Evidence of current immigration status if you are in the U.S.
Undergraduate non-degree questions refer to University Registrar.
Graduate non-degree questions send to gswww@psu.edu.
