Get started for $20* with monthly auto pay or save up to $540 when you pay in full! Offer Ends 5/13/2025
1-800-275-4410 (9AM - 9PM ET)

Penn Foster Admissions Requirements

Most schools have some requirements before you get started. Penn Foster’s flexible, online courses don’t have set start dates or application due dates, but there are a few things you should know before enrolling.

High School Admission Requirements

FOR STUDENTS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD:

 

  • Must be 13 years old at the time of enrollment.
  • Must have finished the 8th grade.
  • Students of compulsory age must ensure the program satisfies the state and local education requirements in their school district to avoid truancy. Parents/Guardians should verify what is required by their school district before enrolling their student in Penn Foster High School.

 

FOR STUDENTS 18 AND OLDER

 

  • Must have finished the 8th grade.

Career School Admission Requirements

  • General Prerequisites – Keep in mind that some states have varying requirements and regulations regarding the age, education level, and more of students enrolling in career school programs. Check your state requirements for the program you’re interested in before enrolling.
  • Students enrolling in most career school programs must be at least 16 years of age at the time of enrollment. Students in some states are required to be at least 18 years of age at the time of enrollment.
  • Must have completed at least an 8th grade education for most programs.
  • Some programs require completion of high school or GED credentials prior to enrollment. Learners must submit one of the following to show evidence of high school completion:
    • An official high school transcript
    • A copy of a high school diploma
    • An official homeschool transcript and a copy of approval document or letter from the local school board, county, or state official
    • An official college transcript showing at lease 12 semester credit hours of college course work with a minimum grade of “C” or higher for each course An official transcript
      showing proof of passing the GED, HiSET, or TASC Exam
  • Verify your program requirements with an Admissions Specialist at 1.888.427.6500 before enrolling.

College Admission Requirements

  • Students enrolling in most college programs must be at least 14 years of age
  • Must have earned a high school diploma, GED, or similar High School Equivalency to enroll in a degree program. Learners must submit one of the following to show evidence of high school completion:
    • An official high school transcript
    • A copy of a high school diploma
    • An official homeschool transcript and a copy of approval document or letter from the local school board, county, or state official
    • An official college transcript showing at lease 12 semester credit hours of college course work with a minimum grade of “C” or higher for each course An official transcript showing proof of passing the GED, HiSET, or TASC Exam
  • Some career diploma and certificate programs require the completion of high school or GED credentials prior to enrollment. Learners enrolling into these programs must self-certify that they meet this requirement during the enrollment process.
  • SAT, ACT, or other standardized exam scores are NOT required for enrollment in Penn Foster College.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

Veterinary Technician Associate Degree

  • Students enrolling in the Veterinary Technician Associate’s Degree must be at least 17 years of age when initially beginning the program and must be 18 years old before beginning the first practicum in semester 2.
  • Must have completed a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll.
  • Must have health insurance prior to beginning first externship in semester 2.

Veterinary Technology Bachelor's Degree
As a completion program, the online Veterinary Technology Bachelor’s of Applied Science requires that students:
  • Have an A.S. or A.A.S. degree of 60 hours in Veterinary Technology from an AVMA accredited program
  • Have a minimum of 15 semester hours of transferrable general education coursework
  • Be at least 18 years old 

Medical Assistant Associate Degree
  • Must be at least 17 years old.
  • Must have earned a high school diploma or an equivalent credential.

map of the United States.

State Restrictions

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in your chosen field are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered in the Penn Foster Program.

Learn More

Need more info or ready to enroll?

We're here to help Call 1-800-275-4410 (9AM - 9PM ET)