College House traditionally houses first-year students.  While many undergraduates choose to remain in the same House throughout their four years at Penn, others who move off-campus or into a fraternity or sorority may carry their College House affiliation with them, keeping in close touch with the activities of their former housemates. More information about the College Houses is available at http://www.collegehouses.upenn.edu/.

Student Activities

Penn offers students countless opportunities to participate in University life outside the classroom. In addition to its 20 intercollegiate sports teams, the University is currently home to 41 performing arts groups that encompass everything from a cappella music to dance to interpretive theater. In addition, there are over 70 academic and educational clubs and societies, including tutoring initiatives in the city of Philadelphia, national honor societies, community service organizations and department-specific interest clubs. Groups with a political, religious, service, social or recreational focus abound, along with ample opportunity to participate in intramural sports including synchronized swimming, ice hockey and tae kwon do. Penn also hosts a thriving fraternity and sorority system, in which roughly 30% of undergraduates participate. The diversity of students and their interests and the vibrancy of extracurricular life at Penn ensures that every student can find his or her niche in the University community. To learn more about this rich co-curricular life, see http: //www.vpul.upenn.edu/osl/orgmain.html.

Officer Education Programs

The Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at Penn offers students an opportunity to receive officer training while earning their undergraduate degrees. Students are also eligible to participate in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at St. Joseph’s University and the Army’s Reserve Officer Training Corps at Drexel University through cross-enrollment agreements. Upon successful completion of these programs, students are offered commissions in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Air Force. Scholarship students in these programs receive tuition

FINANCING YOUR EDUCATION

The University of Pennsylvania and its Student Financial Services Office are committed to making an Ivy League education affordable for everyone.  Through a variety of innovative financial options, Penn tailors financial aid packages to meet the individual needs of its students.  The University’s “need-blind” admissions policy ensures that no one is denied admission because he or she requires financial assistance.  Penn will meet 100% of each student’s financial need as determined by Student Financial Services.  Financial aid at Penn is awarded on the basis of financial need.  Financial need is the difference between Penn’s costs and the amount a student is expected to contribute (Educational Expense Budget - Family Contribution = Financial Need).  Penn does not rely on the federally-calculated family contributions, but rather carefully reviews all aid applications in order to allocate available aid resources as equitably and effectively as possible.  Student Financial Services determines a student’s need (for US. residents and/or permanent residents) based on information supplied in the CSS PROFILE, FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and other supporting documents. Almost 60% of Penn undergraduates receive some form of financial assistance, and 80% of freshman students applying for financial aid receive a need-based award.  The average aid award for entering freshmen in 2004 was $28,407 (combination of grant, loan, and part-time job).  There is no arbitrary income cutoff for aid eligibility.  Because each family is different and financial aid is determined by many factors, families are encouraged to apply if they are concerned about their ability to pay.

In addition, Penn offers low-cost credit and payment options, for students and parents.  Additional information is available at Student Financial Services, (215) 898-1988 or online at www.sfs.upenn.edu/home.