LEAP FAQs
No. Students who are admitted for a summer start have the option to take two courses through the LEAP program or to take two courses from the general selection of in-person summer courses offered at University Park during Summer Session II.
Students who participate in the LEAP program will have an enhanced experience that includes a student mentor, small classes reserved for first-year students, and programming designed to help students learn how to be a successful Penn State student, make friends, and learn their way around campus and the State College community.
Yes. LEAP is an in-person experience. Courses will be taught in-person and students will be required to live on campus. Students from Centre County, PA may elect to live at home.
No! This is a common misconception about LEAP. The vast majority of our LEAP prides will help any student make progress toward their degree regardless of what they plan to select as a major. As you look at the LEAP prides on the website, you will see general education abbreviations listed next to most classes. These abbreviations let you know where in your academic program that course will count. You can review more information about suggested academic plans by visiting the university bulletin and then navigating to your intended major. If you have any questions about selecting a pride, or how the pride you select will fit in your degree requirements, contact us at leap@psu.edu or call 814-863-4174.
Yes. LEAP is a fully in-person experience. First-year students are required to live on campus. Students from Centre County, PA may elect to live at home.
Tuition rates for Summer 2025 will be available at tuition.psu.edu by May 1, 2025. LEAP students will be billed for summer tuition in June. Please keep in mind that the estimated charges you will see listed in the student aid summary are based upon 12 credits and LEAP students will only be enrolled in and charged for 6 credits*. The approximate cost of LEAP is $8,500 for Pennsylvania residents and $13,500 for out-of-state students.
*Students who sign up for the Business Statistics pride or Data Sciences pride will be billed for 7 credits because SCM 200 and DS 200 are 4-credit courses.
The move-in date for the LEAP program is a few days before classes begin. The move-in date for Summer 2025 has not yet been finalized and will be posted once it has been. For details about arriving to campus, visit arrival.psu.edu and navigate to University Park and Summer Session II.
Summer tuition for first-year students is billed on the first business day of June and is due by June 22nd. Billing and payment occurs in LionPATH. An email will be sent to the student's Penn State email address to alert them that the bill is ready to view and be paid. To learn more about billing and payment, visit the Office of the Bursar.