Next Steps to Becoming a Vulcan
You are officially accepted as a Pennsylvania Western University student. There are a few things to take care of before you start:
Campus Checklist Congratulations!
New Student Orientation
1. Get ready for New Student Orientation, which is for all new students at PennWest.edu/nextsteps.
Complete Your Placements
2. Don’t worry about your first semester’s schedule. After completing your placements, a Success Coach will build your schedule for you, and you will be able to review it at New Student Orientation.
Housing
3. Select your housing at PennWest.edu/californiahousing.
Apply for Additional Scholarships
4. Log in to your myPennWest student portal in the spring to access the General Scholarship Application. View all scholarship opportunities at PennWest.edu/scholarships.
Final Official Transcripts
5. Have your school submit your final official transcripts, as well as proof of any Dual Enrollment courses and/or AP course credits to admissions@pennwest.edu. Monitor your PennWest email on a regular basis!
Start
your journey as aVulcan!
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
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 your aid offer is provided, 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/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 PennWest.edu/cal-nso.
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.
Homecoming
Homecoming is a weeklong student celebration including student events such as BINGO, homecoming court festivities, Silent Disco, parade preparations, and more. All leading up to a weekend full of events for students, community members and alumni to celebrate California!
Blaze the Vulcan
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.
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
Placements: Claire Pizer pizer@pennwest.edu
IT Services: itservices.PennWest.edu
Military and Veterans Benefits: Cory Shay, Director of Military and Veteran Success shay_c@pennwest.edu 814-321-1557
Office for Students with Disabilities: Dr. John D. Massella, Director Carter Hall, Ground Floor G35 massella@pennwest.edu
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Sheleta Camarda-Webb South Hall 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
