Question 1

How much does online high school cost?

Accepted Answer

Tuition for Penn Foster can vary based on credits an individual may have to transfer into the program. With affordable monthly payment options as low as $49 per month, students can pay toward their tuition while completing their coursework with 0% interest. We offer several payment plans so you can choose the one that works best for you.

Question 2

Why isn’t the high school program free like it is in school districts?

Accepted Answer

Penn Foster High School is a privately licensed school and funded through tuition paid by the students, unlike public schools that are funded from taxes paid by residents of that community.

Question 3

Do you accept financial aid?

Accepted Answer

We do not accept financial aid, but we do have a number of convenient payment options available to assist students, including payment plans with 0% interest, and overall low costs. Learn more about our tuition payment options.

Question 4

Can I use tuition assistance benefits to enroll in Penn Foster programs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you are able to use your company’s tuition assistance benefits to enroll in any of Penn Foster’s programs, provide that it is approved by your employer. We are able to process payments directly from your employer or provide you with a price quote if you need it to get reimbursed. For more information or to enroll using your tuition assistance benefit, contact us at 800-737-8593.

Question 5

Why are your programs so inexpensive?

Accepted Answer

Since Penn Foster does not have a physical location that students need to attend, we are able to save money on operation costs and pass those savings onto our students. Penn Foster believes every student has a right to get an education. Finances should not be a barrier for our students obtaining their goals.

Question 6

What happens if I miss a payment with Penn Foster?

Accepted Answer

Don’t panic if you miss a payment! Penn Foster’s Student CARE team is available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm (Eastern time) to help you with any payment questions. Students who miss a payment also have a grace period. Learn more about how to contact Student CARE.

Question 7

What if I want to pay off my tuition early? Will I get the pay-in-full rate?

Accepted Answer

In order to receive the pay-in-full rate, the program would have to be paid in full at the time of enrollment. You can increase your tuition savings by enrolling in our automatic payment plan.

Question 8

Can the minimum monthly payments be set higher when enrolling, if I request to make the payment higher?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but keep in mind when you enroll that it is better to put more money into your initial payment up front in order to lower your monthly payments right from the start.

Question 9

Is Penn Foster High School accredited?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Penn Foster’s online High School is nationally accredited through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and the AdvancEd Accreditation Commission, and regionally accredited through the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (CSS-MSA). For additional licensing and affiliation information, refer to the Penn Foster Accreditation Details.

Question 10

What is the difference between regional and national accreditation?

Accepted Answer

The major difference between regional and national accrediting agencies lies in the type of institutions that they evaluate and accredit. Regional agencies are responsible for accrediting public colleges and universities, and major private, nonprofit institutions. National agencies accredit private, proprietary schools and specialty institutions such as online or correspondence schools.

Question 11

How long has Penn Foster been in business?

Accepted Answer

Penn Foster was established in 1890, and we have a strong history of helping distance learners obtain their diploma from home.

Question 12

What is the admissions process for the online high school diploma program offered through Penn Foster?

Accepted Answer

Enrolling into our accredited, online high school diploma program doesn’t require an application process. New students can enroll independently through the website or by calling to speak with an Admissions Specialist at 1-800-214-6230. Once a payment toward tuition has been made, the student can begin their studies right away.

Question 13

Does Penn Foster online High School accept transfer credits from other schools?

Accepted Answer

Penn Foster does accept credits from previous high schools, whether the student is a traditional or an adult learner. To transfer credits, an official, sealed transcript must be sent from the student’s previous school for evaluation. Credits from courses that are equivalent to the Penn Foster curriculum and that come from regionally accredited high schools will be considered for transfer.

Question 14

Will you accept high school transcripts from other countries?

Accepted Answer

Yes. However, if the transcript is in a language other than English, we will need an official English translation of the transcript in order to evaluate it.

Question 15

My High School recently closed, can I enroll at Penn Foster High School and graduate?

Accepted Answer

Penn Foster High School accepts credits from regionally accredited schools. If your school has recently closed or plans to close without your being able to complete your diploma, Penn Foster may be the right fit for you. Depending on several different factors in the transcript evaluation process, you may have the chance to continue where you left off with your studies. If you do not have transcripts, you can complete the full program and graduate.

Question 16

What's the age requirement to be an online high school student with Penn Foster?

Accepted Answer

There's no age limit; adults and non-traditional students are welcome to enroll in Penn Foster's online courses. However, traditional students enrolled into the online high school diploma to complete courses must be at least 13 years of age and have fully completed the 8th grade.

Question 17

Can adults enroll in online high school with Penn Foster?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Penn Foster's online diploma program is open to any student 13 years or older who has completed the 8th grade. As an adult learner, you can finish the credits you need or even complete the entire high school program from home around your work schedule and without worrying about being in classrooms with students significantly younger than you.

Question 18

Can I use Penn Foster High School to homeschool my child?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Penn Foster’s online curriculum is up-to-date with the courses taught in most high schools across the country. Penn Foster is self-paced, so your student can move through coursework at a speed that is right for them. This is particularly convenient for young athletes or performers, who may be travelling or training in their particular sport and unable to attend a traditional Monday-Friday school.

Question 19

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

You can enroll over the phone, online or through the mail. Click ENROLL NOW button on any page to start the enrollment process, or call our phone number at +1800-262-1125

Question 20

What is the deadline to enroll in online high school classes?

Accepted Answer

Penn Foster offers rolling admissions. Students can enroll at any point during the year into the program of their choice.

Question 21

When do my classes start?

Accepted Answer

Penn Foster has open enrollment, which means classes start as soon as you enroll.

Question 22

If I start a program at Penn Foster and I don’t like it, can I switch to something different?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This would need to be done through the Student CARE department. You can call Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm, Eastern Time

Question 23

Is online high school right for me?

Accepted Answer

Penn Foster's online high school diploma program is geared toward independent learners, whether they're the traditional student or an adult student returning to the classroom. If you're looking for a self-paced, self-directed program that can be completed around your schedule, then online high school may be the right program for you!

Question 24

Do I need a computer for my program?

Accepted Answer

Penn Foster requires access to a computer, tablet or mobile device that can connect to the internet.

Question 25

Does Penn Foster provide laptops?

Accepted Answer

Computers are not provided. This is one of the ways Penn Foster is able to keep the tuition lower for our students. However, Penn Foster students are eligible for a discount through Apple and Dell. Visit our student discounts page for more information.

Question 26

What type of computer or software do I need for the program?

Accepted Answer

Penn Foster High School students will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows 7® or later or an Apple® Mac® computer running OS X® or later. You’ll also need high-speed internet access to begin your program and an email account to complete your program with Penn Foster.

Question 27

Can I do everything for my program online?

Accepted Answer

The amount of work that can be completed online varies by program. Some high school programs can be completed entirely online, while others may require physical textbooks.

Question 28

Do I need to purchase textbooks for the online classes?

Accepted Answer

No! Most of the coursework is easily accessible to the student through their student portal. The majority of study guides and materials are provided online for a mobile learning experience. Textbooks for classes that require them are included in the tuition and are shipped to the student automatically.

Question 29

Are there live-streamed classes?

Accepted Answer

Videos are included in some courses, but not all. There are also instructional videos with students, instructors, and staff on the Community.

Question 30

Do Penn Foster’s programs have videos?

Accepted Answer

Videos are included in some courses, but not all. There are also instructional videos with students, instructors, and staff on the Community.

Question 31

What is a virtual high school and how does online school work?

Accepted Answer

A virtual high school offers the community and education that can be found in a traditional brick and mortar setting from the comfort of your home. Whether you're homeschooling a student or finishing your own diploma, the high school courses follow the state guidelines and accreditation requirements so you're taking classes that align with current standards. Penn Foster's online high school program is self-paced, with no deadlines. Coursework and assignments can be completed around the student's schedule and at the learning pace that is appropriate for them. Students can begin studying as soon as their enrollment is processed and complete.

Question 32

What is Penn Foster's online high school curriculum like?

Accepted Answer

Our online high school program consists of 16.5 core credits, and 5 elective credits, ranging from academic electives, like American literature and algebra to career electives, like auto repair and vet assistant. Students are able to choose the five classes they’d like to take to fulfill the elective requirement.The core curriculum is made up of English, math, social science, science, arts and humanities, and health and physical education courses. The classes a student must take to complete the program can vary based on any transfer classes from a previous high school.

Question 33

Do you offer any AP (Advanced Placement) courses for the High School diploma?

Accepted Answer

The Penn Foster High School curriculum was designed to meet the minimum standards required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools, which does not require AP courses. However, individual AP courses are available. Visit our individual courses page for more information.

Question 34

What is the format of exams? Multiple choice? Short answer? Number of questions?

Accepted Answer

Exam format and length are at the discretion of the instructor. Typically, exams will be either multiple choice or short essay. Multiple choice exams are generally in the range of 25 questions, but again this is up to the discretion of the instructor.

Question 35

If I fail a course, do I have the opportunity to retake it?

Accepted Answer

Yes, students may retake a failed course. The cost of re-taking a core course is $25.00, and the cost of re-taking an elective is $50.00.

Question 36

How long does the high school program take to complete?

Accepted Answer

Completion times vary depending on the student, and how many hours you can commit to studying each week. All of Penn Foster’s programs are self-paced and flexible, to best fit your schedule. Also, because we accept valid transfer credits, the number of credits each student needs for graduation varies from 5.5 - 21.5 credits.

Question 37

What is the difference between a high school diploma and a GED?

Accepted Answer

A high school diploma generally represents 12 years of completed schooling and proficiency in core subjects as required by that state. The General Educational Development test (GED) is a content-based test that measures high school knowledge in five specific areas.

Question 38

Do you offer a GED?

Accepted Answer

Penn Foster does not offer a GED. We offer a regionally and nationally accredited high school diploma.

Question 39

How do you graduate from an online high school program?

Accepted Answer

When you've completed and passed your academic work and tuition has been paid in full, students will receive their official high school diploma and a sealed copy of their official transcripts in the mail usually within 3-6 weeks.

Question 40

Is there a commencement ceremony for online high school students?

Accepted Answer

Each year, Penn Foster’s graduation ceremony has gotten bigger and better. Held in late spring, graduates come from across the country and the world to celebrate their achievement in Scranton, PA.

Question 41

What will I get when i finish the high school program?

Accepted Answer

When you complete the high school program, you will receive a nationally and regionally accredited diploma. Penn Foster HIgh School is regionally accredited for grades 9 through adult by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (CSS-MSA) and nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).

Question 42

Why doesn't every college or university accept Penn Foster High School’s diploma?

Accepted Answer

Acceptance of a high school diploma can vary based on the college or university. No form of accreditation can guarantee that any learning institution or employer will accept the high school diploma.

Question 43

How do I request my official Penn Foster transcript?

Accepted Answer

You can submit a request to have a copy of your official Penn Foster transcript sent to you.

Question 44

When can I call Student Services?

Accepted Answer

Student CARE is available Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm, Eastern time.

Question 45

Will I be able to get help from teachers or tutors if I get stuck on a course or assignment?

Accepted Answer

Instructors are available through phone, email, and chat! If you're struggling with a class or assignment, Penn Foster's experienced and certified instructors are here to help you.

Question 46

What type of military benefits do you accept at Penn Foster?

Accepted Answer

Many Penn Foster programs are approved for veteran’s education benefits. Reservists may also qualify for veteran’s education benefits. If you think you may be eligible or would like more information, you can check with your local or regional VA office, or call Penn Foster at 888-427-2900 to speak with a VA support specialist. Penn Foster also accepts MyCAA benefits that are available to military spouses. Call 800-238-9554 for more information or to enroll using MyCAA benefits. Visit our military benefits page for additional information.

Contact Penn Foster for more information
or to enroll today!

Student Services

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Contact Penn Foster for more information or to enroll today!

Student Services

Transcript Requests

Need Help?

Contact Penn Foster for more information
or to enroll today!