Next Steps - California

Next Steps to Becoming a Vulcan

Congratulations!

You are officially accepted as a Pennsylvania Western University student.

There are a few things to take care of before you start:

Campus Checklist on

New Student Orientati

is for all ent Orientation, which ud St w Ne r fo y ad re t 1. Ge West.edu/nextsteps. new students at Penn

ent Tests

Complete Your Placem

mpleting ter’s schedule. After co es m se st fir ur yo t ou schedule 2. Don’t worry ab s Coach will build your es cc Su a , sts te t en ientation. your placem w it at New Student Or vie re to le ab be ll wi u for you, and yo

Housing

ing.

us West.edu/californiaho nn Pe at g in us ho ur yo 3. Select

holarships

Apply for Additional Sc

ss the est in the spring to acce nW en yP m ur yo to in 4. Log plication.

General Scholarship Ap

pts

Final Official Transcri

ll as official transcripts, as we al fin ur yo it bm su ol its 5. Have your scho s and/or AP course cred se ur co t en llm ro En al proof of any Du est.edu. to admissions@pennw

s! email on a regular basi t es nW n Pe ur yo r ito Mon

Congratulations!

You are officially accepted as a Pennsylvania Western University student.

There are a few things to take care of before you start:

Campus Checklist on

New Student Orientati

is for all ent Orientation, which ud St w Ne r fo y ad re t 1. Ge West.edu/nextsteps. new students at Penn

ent Tests

Complete Your Placem

mpleting ter’s schedule. After co es m se st fir ur yo t ou schedule 2. Don’t worry ab s Coach will build your es cc Su a , sts te t en ientation. your placem w it at New Student Or vie re to le ab be ll wi u for you, and yo

Housing

ing.

us West.edu/californiaho nn Pe at g in us ho ur yo 3. Select

holarships

Apply for Additional Sc

ss the est in the spring to acce nW en yP m ur yo to in 4. Log plication.

General Scholarship Ap

pts

Final Official Transcri

ll as official transcripts, as we al fin ur yo it bm su ol its 5. Have your scho s and/or AP course cred se ur co t en llm ro En al proof of any Du est.edu. to admissions@pennw

s! email on a regular basi t es nW n Pe ur yo r ito Mon

y e n r u o j r u o y Start ! n a c l u V a s a

Log in Everything you need to know about PennWest is located on my.PennWest.edu.

myPennWest offers quick and easy access to the information you need most: register for classes, view your account information, check financial aid and access your email.

To get started, visit:

my.PennWest.edu where you will be able to set up your password and access your email.

If you have not already received it, you should receive your PennWest email address soon.

y e n r u o j r u o y Start ! n a c l u V a s a

Log in Everything you need to know about PennWest is located on my.PennWest.edu.

myPennWest offers quick and easy access to the information you need most: register for classes, view your account information, check financial aid and access your email.

To get started, visit:

my.PennWest.edu where you will be able to set up your password and access your email.

If you have not already received it, you should receive your PennWest email address soon.

Housing and Dining Living at PennWest is like having your own place, because you do.

Our student housing is among the best in the nation. No cramped residence halls or long waits for the shower – plenty of room, and privacy too.

You will feel safe and secure with our staff, who are available 24 hours a day.

Within our residence halls, there are special residential communities which include education, diversity/gender inclusion and honors.

Our residence halls have been designed so that students do not need to be concerned with furniture – simply move in and enjoy the privacy and space.

Students who live beyond a 50-mile radius from campus are required to stay in university housing for their first four semesters. (Of course, everyone is welcome to take advantage of university housing for the duration of their college career.)

Our housing provides a variety of options to offer the independence and privacy you need while creating a safe environment.

Dining Options Abound on Campus Whether you’re sitting down for a meal or picking up a quick snack, you’ll find healthy, quality foods prepared from the freshest ingredients right in the heart of campus.

Housing and Dining Application Process Complete your application to enjoy the benefits of secure housing and a meal plan.

Log in to my.PennWest.edu

. e m o h e m o c Wel

Housing and Dining Living at PennWest is like having your own place, because you do.

Our student housing is among the best in the nation. No cramped residence halls or long waits for the shower – plenty of room, and privacy too.

You will feel safe and secure with our staff, who are available 24 hours a day.

Within our residence halls, there are special residential communities which include education, diversity/gender inclusion and honors.

Our residence halls have been designed so that students do not need to be concerned with furniture – simply move in and enjoy the privacy and space.

Students who live beyond a 50-mile radius from campus are required to stay in university housing for their first four semesters. (Of course, everyone is welcome to take advantage of university housing for the duration of their college career.)

Our housing provides a variety of options to offer the independence and privacy you need while creating a safe environment.

Dining Options Abound on Campus Whether you’re sitting down for a meal or picking up a quick snack, you’ll find healthy, quality foods prepared from the freshest ingredients right in the heart of campus.

Housing and Dining Application Process Complete your application to enjoy the benefits of secure housing and a meal plan.

Log in to my.PennWest.edu

. e m o h e m o c Wel

Financial Aid and Scholarships You have made the commitment to invest in your future, and we are making a commitment to help you. Our Financial Aid Office provides assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA, whenever you need it.

If you have yet to fill out your FAFSA, please do so by going to studentaid.gov.

Be sure to include “Pennsylvania Western University” and our school code “003316” on the selection summary tab.

Once your FAFSA has been completed and if you are a Pennsylvania resident, go to pheaa.org/grants/state-grant-program to apply for grants from the commonwealth. After you apply, watch for your Pennsylvania state grant offer letter from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, commonly known as PHEAA, in your email.

If you’re not a resident of Pennsylvania, you can check with your state education department for any of your state’s financial aid programs.

Another important step in securing additional funding comes from applying for scholarships. PennWest has a general scholarship application that will become available at the beginning of the spring term. When it is available, a tile will become visible in your myPennWest student portal.

Your next step is to go to studentaid.gov to sign your master promissory note, a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s). Entrance counseling is part of this process as well, and is required for any loans you accept to disburse to your account.

When the aid offer is awarded, you will need to go to your myPennWest student portal and accept the loan (if you plan to do so). Once the loan is accepted, you will need to commit to attend PennWest.

Learn more about PennWest University scholarships at PennWest.edu/tuition-and-aid/ scholarships.

New Student Orientation Experience all that PennWest has to offer.

At your New Student Orientation session, you and your family will really get a sense of what it will be like for you to attend PennWest California.

Here’s What You Can Expect: • Confirm your schedule •

Explore aspects of campus that may include: - Financial aid and student accounts - Academic success - Clubs and organizations - Housing and campus life - Meal plans - Health services - Parent/family sessions - Other basics of campus life

• Get to know other incoming students, our student ambassadors and some of our staff

Register for New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation is for all new students. You can learn more at calu.edu/orientation.

Learn more about Starfish and D2L in your myPennWest student portal.

Financial Aid and Scholarships You have made the commitment to invest in your future, and we are making a commitment to help you. Our Financial Aid Office provides assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA, whenever you need it.

If you have yet to fill out your FAFSA, please do so by going to studentaid.gov.

Be sure to include “Pennsylvania Western University” and our school code “003316” on the selection summary tab.

Once your FAFSA has been completed and if you are a Pennsylvania resident, go to pheaa.org/grants/state-grant-program to apply for grants from the commonwealth. After you apply, watch for your Pennsylvania state grant offer letter from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, commonly known as PHEAA, in your email.

If you’re not a resident of Pennsylvania, you can check with your state education department for any of your state’s financial aid programs.

Another important step in securing additional funding comes from applying for scholarships. PennWest has a general scholarship application that will become available at the beginning of the spring term. When it is available, a tile will become visible in your myPennWest student portal.

Your next step is to go to studentaid.gov to sign your master promissory note, a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s). Entrance counseling is part of this process as well, and is required for any loans you accept to disburse to your account.

When the aid offer is awarded, you will need to go to your myPennWest student portal and accept the loan (if you plan to do so). Once the loan is accepted, you will need to commit to attend PennWest.

Learn more about PennWest University scholarships at PennWest.edu/tuition-and-aid/ scholarships.

New Student Orientation Experience all that PennWest has to offer.

At your New Student Orientation session, you and your family will really get a sense of what it will be like for you to attend PennWest California.

Here’s What You Can Expect: • Confirm your schedule •

Explore aspects of campus that may include: - Financial aid and student accounts - Academic success - Clubs and organizations - Housing and campus life - Meal plans - Health services - Parent/family sessions - Other basics of campus life

• Get to know other incoming students, our student ambassadors and some of our staff

Register for New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation is for all new students. You can learn more at calu.edu/orientation.

Learn more about Starfish and D2L in your myPennWest student portal.

There’s college life. And then there’s PennWest life.

While you get comfortable on campus, get to know some of the traditions and favorites that make our campus home. Join the fun during Welcome Weekend, including the traditional New Student Convocation and Candle Lighting Ceremony, and meet your classmates at Playfair.

Campus Traditions The Big Event

Each spring, Student Government sponsors The Big Event so students can show their appreciation to the California community with a day of service. The program provides local residents with help washing windows, painting and completing other needed work.

Underground Café

PennWest Resources Academic Resources: PennWest.edu/academics/academic-resources Engage for student organizations and events: engage.PennWest.edu/events Global Online: online.PennWest.edu Housing: housing@calu.edu 724-938-4444 IT Services: itservices.PennWest.edu

Perhaps best known for its weekly open mic night every Thursday at 9 p.m., Underground Café is a student organization that hosts special events and performances throughout the year, from a Homecoming celebration to hip-hop nights and food drives.

Military and Veterans Benefits: Lynne Berdar, Assistant Director of Financial Aid and School Certifying Official berdar@pennwest.edu 724-938-4076

Blaze the Vulcan

Office for Students with Disabilities: Dr. John D. Massella, Director Carter Hall, Ground Floor, Room G35 massella@pennwest.edu

PennWest California’s mascot, Blaze the Vulcan, embodies the university’s pride.

Don’t miss him during football games, when he hits our steel beam with his hammer in celebration of every point scored.

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Sheleta Camarda-Webb South Hall, Rooms 108/112 camardawebb@pennwest.edu 724-938-5758 Parent Portal: Keep up with your college student via our new parent portal at pennwest.campusesp.com.

Transfer: This guide is just as much for Transfer students as anyone else. We accept credits from accredited two-year and four-year institutions, AP, CLEP/DSST, IB, Joint Service Transcripts and ACE. Questions can be directed to transfer@pennwest.edu.

Tuition and Aid: PennWest.edu/tuition-and-aid

There’s college life. And then there’s PennWest life.

While you get comfortable on campus, get to know some of the traditions and favorites that make our campus home. Join the fun during Welcome Weekend, including the traditional New Student Convocation and Candle Lighting Ceremony, and meet your classmates at Playfair.

Campus Traditions The Big Event

Each spring, Student Government sponsors The Big Event so students can show their appreciation to the California community with a day of service. The program provides local residents with help washing windows, painting and completing other needed work.

Underground Café

PennWest Resources Academic Resources: PennWest.edu/academics/academic-resources Engage for student organizations and events: engage.PennWest.edu/events Global Online: online.PennWest.edu Housing: housing@calu.edu 724-938-4444 IT Services: itservices.PennWest.edu

Perhaps best known for its weekly open mic night every Thursday at 9 p.m., Underground Café is a student organization that hosts special events and performances throughout the year, from a Homecoming celebration to hip-hop nights and food drives.

Military and Veterans Benefits: Lynne Berdar, Assistant Director of Financial Aid and School Certifying Official berdar@pennwest.edu 724-938-4076

Blaze the Vulcan

Office for Students with Disabilities: Dr. John D. Massella, Director Carter Hall, Ground Floor, Room G35 massella@pennwest.edu

PennWest California’s mascot, Blaze the Vulcan, embodies the university’s pride.

Don’t miss him during football games, when he hits our steel beam with his hammer in celebration of every point scored.

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Sheleta Camarda-Webb South Hall, Rooms 108/112 camardawebb@pennwest.edu 724-938-5758 Parent Portal: Keep up with your college student via our new parent portal at pennwest.campusesp.com.

Transfer: This guide is just as much for Transfer students as anyone else. We accept credits from accredited two-year and four-year institutions, AP, CLEP/DSST, IB, Joint Service Transcripts and ACE. Questions can be directed to transfer@pennwest.edu.

Tuition and Aid: PennWest.edu/tuition-and-aid

PennWest.edu/nextsteps

Next Steps to Becoming a Vulcan 250 University Ave. California, PA 15419

PennWest California