Parents: Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Central Pennsylvania College located?
- What requirements must my son or daughter meet for admission to Central Penn?
- Will a Central Penn degree lead to a good career for my son or daughter?
- Will my son or daughter be cared for at Central Penn?
- Are computers available on campus?
- Will my son or daughter receive the hands-on experience he or she needs to become successful?
- Can my son or daughter apply for financial aid and/or scholarships?
- What we need from you when applying for financial aid at Central Penn.
- What is the School Code?
- What do I need to know about Federal Financial Aid?
- When are tuition bills due?
- What is the attendance policy?
- Is there a dress code?
Where is Central Pennsylvania College located?
Central Penn is located on a 35-acre campus in the foothills of the Blue Mountain in Summerdale, a picturesque community of fewer than 1,000 people. The suburban Harrisburg campus is located just inside the Capital Beltway off I-81 at Exit 65. ^Top
What requirements must my son or daughter meet for admission to Central Penn?
Central Penn requires a high school diploma, GED, or Pennsylvania Home School Diploma and an official copy of the student's transcript for admission. Students must also attend a personal admissions interview. SAT scores are not required. ^Top
Will a Central Penn degree lead to a good career for my son or daughter?
Success in a student's chosen career field is Central Penn's bottom line. Even before graduation, Career Services will help prepare students to search for and land their first big job. In addition to acquiring job search skills, students participate in employer mock interviews; have access to an on-line job match for a listing of available job openings; and receive useful information about companies at job fairs. After graduation, when it's time for a job, lifetime career assistance is available.
An internship is a requirement in each major and is the final step in the development towards professional success. The internship helps students develop the professional skills and personal qualities employers value. Internships can be completed in the Harrisburg area or places like Walt Disney World or near the student's hometown. More than half of all internships result in a full-time job offer.
In fact, according to the most recent annual survey, 91 % of Central Penn's graduates found employment in their chosen career field or continued their education within one year of graduation. Overall some 97 % began work or continued in school. ^Top
Will my son or daughter be cared for at Central Penn?
At Central Penn, students enjoy personalized attention in small classes (16:1 student-faculty ratio). Our professors are dedicated to helping students succeed. They work with students on an individual basis and get to know their students personally. The faculty serve as advisors for students as well as for clubs and organizations on campus.
Before a student begins classes, a personal Admissions Counselor is assigned to provide any information needed and to answer any questions.
When a student begins classes, he or she will be assigned an academic advisor who is familiar with the student's major and has relevant work experience in that field, not just a degree. The advisor also can serve as a job reference and often follows up with students after graduation as a friend.
Participation in Freshman Seminar is required of all students to help with the transition from high school to college. During the seminar, students develop personal and academic goals that can be achieved during their education at Central Penn. ^Top
Are computers available on campus?
Over 150 computers are available on campus for classroom use. A dedicated student computer lab is available for both daytime and evening use. Lab facilities provide over 30 computers for students in the evenings. All computer classrooms and labs are equipped for both high-speed Internet access and printing coursework. ^Top
Will my son or daughter receive the hands-on experience he or she needs to become successful?
Central Penn believes that the key to preparing for a career is to actually do the job. That's why since 1881, the emphasis at Central Penn has been on hands-on learning in our on-campus facilities. Students enjoy a unique learning environment as classrooms are transformed into on-campus businesses and real-world working environments. Hands-on learning gives students lessons they cannot get from classroom lectures alone. ^Top
Can my son or daughter apply for financial aid and/or scholarships?
Regardless of your financial status, our Financial Aid Office can help secure funding for your son or daughter's education. If a Central Penn education is right for a student, the Financial Aid Office will help make it affordable. Because Central Penn recognizes the need for financial aid, we provide a variety of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs. In fact, 85 percent of Central Penn students receive some form of financial aid. ^Top
- Most current Federal 1040 tax return & W2 form(s)
- Spouse’s W2 and tax return (if applicable)
- If dependent, parent Federal 1040 tax return and W2
- Two references (including name, address and phone number)
- Driver’s license or state ID card
- Social security number
Central Penn's Federal School Code is 004890 ^Top
What do I need to know about Federal Financial Aid?
There are 3 financial aid forms that your student will need to complete: the FAFSA, the Stafford Loan form, and the Central Penn Financial Aid Form. These forms can be obtained from the Financial Aid offices. Financial Aid forms should be turned in within 5 days of your acceptance to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of money for those grants for which you may qualify. Financial Aid processing takes a minimum of 2 weeks to complete and only can be processed after a student has been accepted. The Financial Aid priority deadline each year is mid-March. New forms should be submitted on or before this timeframe every year that you are enrolled in a degree-granting program. For further details go to the Financial Aid contacts page. ^Top
The account must be cleared with the Business Office approximately 3 weeks prior to the start of the term, to avoid paying a late fee (call an Admissions Counselor for the exact due date). Failure to do so may result in paying a late fee, loss of financial aid awards, and exclusion from any classes for which you may have been scheduled. ^Top
What is the attendance policy?
For evening courses that meet 5:45-9:30, a student can miss one class without penalty. Missing two or more classes will result in letter-grade deductions. Students are strongly recommended to notify their professors and make them aware of any situations that inhibit the ability to attend class. In some cases, it may be best for the student to withdraw from the course. To withdraw for any reason, contact the Dean's office at 717-728-2202. ^Top
For classes held during the day, 7:30a.m. - 5:30p.m., Tuesday through Friday, there is an appearance policy in effect. For classes that meet after 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays, the "Business Casual" policy is in effect. Please refer to the student handbook for specifics on the appearance policy. ^Top
Information to Parents: Be sure to subscribe to our e-newsletter Parent Central.
We also publish "Family Roundtable" to first time freshman students at the midterm of each term. We will continue to communicate to you through our online newsletter Parent Central. ^Top
