FAQs for: Portland State University
Questions
A vendor has called and stated that the PSU check or ACH has not been received. When can PSU issue a new check or ACH?
Am I allowed to receive financial aid from more than one institution at the same time?
Am I applying for a Masters of Arts (MA) or a Masters of Science (MS) in Counselor Education?
Am I limited to the number of credits reflected in the tuition, fees and estimated living expenses documentation?
Am I required to participate in an interview?
Am I required to submit an affidavit of support if I plan to support myself financially?
Am I required to submit my high school (secondary school) transcript as part of my application for admission to Portland State?
Am I required to submit official documents for admission to Portland State in the original language or should they be translated?
Am I required to submit proof of financial resources to be admitted to Portland State?
Am I required to submit proof of personal financial resources or can I show the resources of a sponsor instead?
Are all international students currently studying in the United States required to release their SEVIS records to Portland State?
Are cats or any other pets allowed in housing?
Are children allowed to take lessons at the PSU pool?
Are fees assessed to staff or family members/domestic partners who audit courses?
Are goggles and swim caps available for people to use?
Are graduate tuition reduction amounts considered taxable income?
Are my domestic partner's children eligible to take classes at staff rates?
Are scholarships available for international students?
Are staff members required to submit Staff Fee Approval Forms prior to the first day of classes when taking classes themselves?
Are swim lessons available all year around?
Are there any courses a co-admitted student might take at the community college that Portland State financial aid will not cover?
Are there any exceptions to the requirement to have completed application for Staff Fee Privileges before the first day of classes?
Are there any special events throughout the term in the pool?
Are there mentored inquiry sessions for Cluster courses, as there are for Freshman Inquiry and Sophomore Inquiry?
Are there opportunities to study abroad in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning or Master of Urban Studies program?
Are there places I can climb locally? (Climbing Center)
As a co-admitted student, how do I get health insurance if I enroll part-time at Portland State?
As a supervisor, what are my obligations and options regarding employees who can return to work, but are unable to perform all of the duties assigned to their position?
As an employee, do I have to complete a form each term to request that my staff rate for tuition benefit be transferred to a family member?
As an international student, can I take 8 credits at Portland State and 4 credits at another college or university?
As an international student, must I submit a transfer clearance form?
As the supervisor, when do I need to notify Human Resources that I have an employee who is going to be off for a family or medical (serious health condition) need?
Can I apply for admission to Portland State for any term?
Can I arrange for a trip when there is no travel allowance in my approved grant budget?
Can I attend programs in the School of Urban Studies and Planning part-time?
Can I be charged for medical treatment?
Can I be co-admitted to PSU and PCC as an international student?
Can I be fired?
Can I bring in my friend, son or daughter (Do I need to be a student)? (Climbing Center)
Can I bring my son or daughter on an Outdoor Program trip?
Can I buy student health insurance at PSU? What are the deadlines?
Can I call the EAP even if my concern is not a crisis?
Can I cancel my contract during the term?
Can I carry remaining funds from the previous budget year in the current year for my research award at PSU?
Can I complete part of my Capstone in one project and part in another Capstone?
Can I create my own Capstone?
Can I do the program online?
Can I do this program while working full-time?
Can I get credit for any of your trips or seminars?
Can I get my only original transcript or degree certificate back after being admitted to Portland State?
Can I have more than one job?
Can I learn how to belay? (Climbing Center)
Can I leave my Special Registration Form in a drop box or just drop it off at the window?
Can I make a Confidential Report?
Can I make up my own Capstone?
Can I park on campus during my Orientation?
Can I pay for Outdoor Program activities through my student account?
Can I recycle plastic yogurt tubs?
Can I repeat a class taken at PSU? What happens to the first grade?
Can I return to my job when my leave ends?
Can I start Freshman Inquiry during any term, or only in the Fall?
Can I study at Portland State University without a TOEFL or IELTS score or with a lower score than the minimum required for admission? Do you offer conditional admission?
Can I switch Freshman Inquiry instructors or classes?
Can I take Cluster Courses Pass/No Pass?
Can I take Cluster courses from different Clusters and have them count toward my University Studies requirement?
Can I take Freshman Inquiry courses Pass/No Pass?
Can I take Sophomore Inquiry courses Pass/No Pass?
Can I take Transfer Transition courses Pass/No Pass?
Can I take Upper Division (UD) Cluster courses in my major?
Can I take graduate level courses in the School of Urban Studies & Planning without having graduate standing in a Master of Urban and Regional Planning or Master of Urban Studies degree program?
Can I take more than one Sophomore Inquiry course per term?
Can I take more than one Sophomore Inquiry from the same Cluster (e.g., Health in Our Time as well as Youth, Service, and Community) and count all of them as part of the twelve credits?
Can I take more than one Upper Division Cluster course per term?
Can I transfer military credit?
Can I use accrued leave while I am on Family Medical Leave?
Can I use my personal car to take an authorized trip on PSU business or am I required to use a State car?
Can I walk in the Spring commencement ceremony if I am not graduating until the end of the Summer?
Can I work during vacation or finals?
Can Portland State issue my I-20 immigration document before I submit proof of financial resources?
Can an employee take intermittent or reduced hour leave for a serious health condition?
Can anyone help me make this decision?
Can employees use a PSU-owned laptop for research outside campus?
Can more than one person participate in a swimming lesson?
Can the TOEFL or IELTS requirement for admission be waived?
Can the personal counseling requirement be done before coming to PSU? If not, does PSU Counseling and Psychological Services provide counseling at a reduced rate?
College is expensive. Can someone tell me what to major in so I know that I can get a good job after I graduate?
Do I accrue seniority while I am on a Family Medical Leave?
Do I choose my instructor for my Capstone?
Do I get credit for a class in which I received a "D"?
Do I have to apply for admission to PSU to be considered for financial aid?
Do I have to have a whole team to play intramurals?
Do I have to meet any eligibility requirements once I've received financial aid?
Do I have to pay all of the fees students normally pay if I use my staff fee privileges myself?
Do I have to provide a medical certification for my or my family member's serious health condition?
Do I have to purchase an alumni membership if I just want to use the Stott Center?
Do I have to select a major when I enter college?
Do I have to take University Studies as a transfer student?
Do I have to take a Freshman Inquiry course that fits my major? Are there any Freshman Inquiry courses that are required by my major?
Do I have to take a Sophomore Inquiry course that fits my major?
Do I have to take a mentored inquiry session with my Sophomore Inquiry course?
Do I have to take all of my Sophomore Inquiry courses before starting the Upper Division Cluster Courses?
Do I have to take all three Upper Division Cluster courses in one year?
Do I have to wear a swimsuit while in the pool?
Do I need experience in order to participate in a club?
Do I need my own gear? (Climbing Center)
Do I need to bring anything with me to Freshman Orientation?
Do I need to bring anything with me to Transfer Orientation?
Do I need to own a computer to participate in Counselor Education courses?
Do I need to own a computer?
Do I need to send in all of my application materials at once?
Do I need to speak with a financial aid counselor?
Do I need to submit receipts with my PSU Travel Reimbursement Request?
Do I need to take a writing course?
Do I need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to apply to the Master of Urban & Regional Planning (MURP) or Master of Urban Studies (MUS) program?
Do I need to take the SINQ course connected to my chosen Cluster if I am transferring in with 90 or more credits?
Do I need to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam to be admitted to Portland State University?
Do I send official transcripts and the university application to the ELP Department or to Admissions?
Do Sophomore Inquiry (SINQ) courses need to be taken in a sequence?
Do Upper Division (UD) Cluster courses have prerequisites?
Do all graduate applicants educated outside of the United States have to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam?
Do co-admitted students have to fulfill University Studies requirements?
Do recreational clubs charge membership dues?
Do recreational clubs conduct tryouts?
Do staff rates apply if the person enrolling in classes has not met residency requirements?
Do you ever take students outdoors to climb? (Climbing Center)
Do you go sky diving?
Do you offer classes so I can learn how to climb? (Climbing Center)
Does PSU offer group or private swimming lessons?
Does PSU pay late fee charges?
Does Portland State have admission deadlines?
Does my Capstone have to be connected to my Upper Division (UD) Cluster?
Does one of my Sophomore Inquiries have to link to my Junior Cluster work?
Does the Counselor Education Program require any pre-requisite coursework?
Does the PSU pool do any special events?
Does the Population Research Center make race and Hispanic origin estimates?
Does the School of Urban Studies & Planning offer financial aid?
Does the imputed tax apply to both same and opposite sex partners? I thought same gender partners were not required to pay state tax on the value of their partner's benefits.
Does the pool have swimming instructors?
Doesn't my choice of major now determine what I'll be doing for the next 20-30 years?
En la FAFSA, voy a dar la información financiera de mi madre y de mi padrastro. ¿Debo escribir el número de Seguro Social y apellido de mi padre, o los de mi padrastro?
For PSU business travel, am I allowed to buy airfares on the internet? Can I use my brother-in-law’s travel agency?
For a non-resident, how are staff fees calculated?
Hace cuatro meses que mis padres están separados, y ahora vivo con mi madre. Sin embargo, mis padres presentaron declaración de impuesto conjunta, en la que me indicaron como exención. ¿Declaro en la FAFSA los ingresos de los dos o sólo los de mi madre?
How and when do I apply to medical school?
How and when do I get my advance payment refund if I've canceled my contract?
How are applicable taxes collected?
How are sport clubs funded?
How can I contact a former classmate or faculty member?
How can I convert a PeopleAdmin report to an Excel spreadsheet?
How can I do my laundry?
How can I earn academic credit for internships with student government?
How can I explore my career options in special education?
How can I find out the status of my application for admission to Portland State?
How can I get Windows Netscape (or other Mozilla-based browser) to let me paste text into the Saga content management system?
How can I get help with planning and managing a conference at a site other than at PSU?
How can I get involved with my university housing community?
How can I get involved with the Sustainability and Recycling Offices?
How can I make a credit card payment on a student account other than my own?
How can I obtain official TOEFL or IELTS scores?
How can I prevent a site/page from showing up in PSU search results?
How can a young American get involved in the voting process?
How do I access the internet from my residence hall room?
How do I add a classified position description to PeopleAdmin for an existing position (Action #50)?
How do I add an initiative or referendum to the ballot during the student General Election?
How do I add/update an entry in the online directory of Portland State faculty, staff, and organizations?
How do I add/upload images or other related files (eg, Adobe Acrobat PDFs) to the Saga content management system?
How do I appeal a decision made by the ASPSU Judicial Board?
How do I appeal a decision made by the Student Senate, SFC, or Elections Committee?
How do I apply as a transfer student to Portland State University?
How do I apply for a Graduate Assistantship?
How do I approve a hiring proposal? ("Level 1" users)
How do I approve a pending action on PeopleAdmin?
How do I audit a course? Is it free?
How do I become a Resident Assistant (RA) for university housing?
How do I become a part of a club?
How do I bring an issue to the student senate?
How do I change my PSU OneCard student refund preference?
How do I change my address for my PSU Perkins Loan?
How do I create a PeopleAdmin User Account?
How do I create and fill a new classified position on PeopleAdmin (Action #10)?
How do I delete a PSU invoice from Banner?
How do I disapprove an invoice?
How do I drop a class?
How do I find a work-study job?
How do I find my lost item(s)?
How do I find my work once I have saved an action without submitting or have submitted a request on PeopleAdmin?
How do I get a job on campus?
How do I get a new recycling bin for my on-campus apartment?
How do I get around at PSU? Parking and travel options.
How do I get cable in university housing?
How do I get help with the Saga website content management system?
How do I get letters of recommendation?
How do I get more involved with the Outdoor Program?
How do I get started using Blackboard CE6?
How do I get the special fee refunded when dropping a Physical Education course?
How do I guarantee that when I transfer I will begin as a junior?
How do I implement community-based learning at my institution? 10 Easy Steps!
How do I improve where my page/site turns up in PSU search results?
How do I include PSU search on my website?
How do I include a link in the body of a Saga content management system page?
How do I include an image in a Saga content item?
How do I include the required, standard Portland State header and footer on my website?
How do I join the PACE or LECL listserv?
How do I know if I am eligible for Commencement?
How do I know if I am required to take Transfer Transition?
How do I know if I'm eligible for financial aid?
How do I know if the Portland State Admissions office considers me an "international" student?
How do I know what courses are Cluster courses in the schedule of classes?
How do I know which level to apply for when completing an application for admission to Portland State?
How do I know which major will be good for me?
How do I log in to my PeopleAdmin account?
How do I make a Saga profile content item?
How do I make a form that will email user comments/information to a specific Portland State email address?
How do I make a payment to PSU on my student account?
How do I make changes to my financial aid award?
How do I modify an existing classified position? (Action #55)
How do I obtain image files of Portland State University's logo?
How do I obtain the PowerPoint template, electronic letterhead, and e-mail signature files for use in Portland State University communications.
How do I order Portland State University business cards and letterhead?
How do I pay for my housing?
How do I perform a Refill Classified Position on PeopleAdmin(Action #40)?
How do I perform a Vacant Classified Position Change and Fill on PeopleAdmin (Action #30)?
How do I perform a classified position change on PeopleAdmin(Action #20)?
How do I prepare content for the Saga content management system?
How do I process a credit memo?
How do I process payment for multiple invoices from the same vendor?
How do I properly dispose of surplus/old equipment?
How do I recycle my computer monitor?
How do I register for swimming lessons?
How do I run for seat on the student senate?
How do I select a Capstone course? How do I know if it is best suited for what I want to do?
How do I set up my university housing telephone and voice mail?
How do I sign my Federal Perkins loan Promissory note?
How do I sign up for PSU Alert?
How do I sign up for housing?
How do I start a new sport club?
How do I submit a hiring proposal using PeopleAdmin?
How do I take graduate courses in the School of Urban Studies & Planning as a non-admitted student?
How do I update or modify the approval queue?
How do I vote in the student elections?
How do a I sign up for Intramurals?
How do life role priorities influence our decisions about how we spend our time (Friedman, Greenhaus)?
How do you know who to vote for in local, state, and federal elections?
How does the IELP program differ from the ESL program?
How does the International TOEFL differ from the Institutional TOEFL?
How does the Judicial Board interpret the ASPSU Constitution?
How does the OUS define a dependent child who is eligible to receive staff fee rates?
How does the university determine whether my family member is eligible for the staff tuition rate?
How is Portland State University's logo used?
How long are TOEFL or IELTS scores valid?
How long do I have to live in Oregon to become a resident?
How long do I have to live in Oregon to become a resident?
How long does it take to process my application for admission to Portland State?
How long does the application review process take?
How long is a swimming lesson?
How long will it take for me to get my money from financial aid?
How long will it take to finish the Counselor Education Program?
How many Cluster courses am I required to complete?
How many Portland State University alumni are there?
How many Sophomore Inquiry courses are offered each term?
How many Sophomore Inquiry courses do I need to take?
How many clubs can I join?
How many credits can I take a term during the twelve month waiting period for residency?
How many credits do I take each term in the Counselor Education Program?
How many hours can you schedule a student, international and/or G.A. employee to work during the break between academic terms?
How many hours per week can I work?
How many students are admitted to the program?
How much does it cost to attend Portland State?
How much does it cost to climb? (Climbing Center)
How much does the program cost?
How much has been raised in Portland State's Building Our Future campaign and where does the money go?
How much money will I get from financial aid?
How much will it cost and how long will it take to get the Master of Urban and Regional Planning or Master of Urban Studies degree?
How much will it cost?
How much will the Counselor Education Program cost?
How often is the PSU search index updated?
How safe are the halls in university housing?
How were Portland State's Building Our Future campaign goals determined?
How will I know if my claim has been accepted or denied?
How will my Capstone be graded?
How will my credits transfer?
How will my veterans’ benefits affect my financial aid?
How will the new Alumni Membership Program affect my Alumni Benefit Card?
How ‘experienced’ do I need to be to sign up for Outdoor Program trips?
How/when will I get my assignment?
I already have a generated (non-social security number) identification number. Will I get a new number and new card?
I am a Blumel Hall Resident. Do I need to establish an account with PGE to pay for my electricity?
I am a co-admitted student planning to complete my degree at Portland State. How do I know what classes I should be taking?
I am a co-admitted student. Should I get my financial aid from Portland State or the community college?
I am a dependent child of the court of my county. Is this the same as a “ward” of the court?
I am a post-bac student. Why didn't I receive a transfer evaluation report?
I am a single parent with one child and will get free day care for my child (from a relative or free day care center) while I go to college. Does this free income have to be reported on the FAFSA?
I am a transfer student. Do I need to complete the entire University Studies program?
I am a ward of the court but graduated from high school and then went to live with my mother for two months. Did I lose my independent status?
I am an international student and I have just received my transfer evaluation report. Why do none of my transfer courses show the grades I received in my classes?
I am applying to a graduate program at Portland State. How can I get a graduate assistantship?
I am considering an application to the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, can I hand deliver GRE scores?
I am considering an application to the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, for my application, is the recommendation form required?
I am considering an application to the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, for my application, who should I use for recommendations?
I am considering an application to the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences. For my application, if the recommender writes a letter or statement, what should it say?
I am considering applying to the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, in my application, what should I write about in my personal statement?
I am currently a Portland State student, and I am considering an application to the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences. Do I need to submit a PSU transcript?
I am currently studying in the United States on an F-1 student visa and want to transfer to Portland State. Do I need a new I-20?
I am having trouble logging in to my PeopleAdmin account and/or I can't remember my password. What can I do?
I am no longer under the court because my foster parents took legal guardianship of me a few years ago. However, my foster parents do not support me with there own financial resources. They still get a foster care check each month for me. How do I answer question #53?
I am not an international student, but I am permanent resident (green card holder), a United States citizen, or a refugee/asylee. Am I required to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam to apply for admission to Portland State University?
I am transferring my staff fee privileges to my domestic partner to take classes. Do I have to pay an imputed tax on the value of the benefit? If yes, how will this work?
I can't log in to register. What am I doing wrong?
I cannot pay the $50 application fee for admission to Portland State. Can you waive or defer this fee?
I completed a bachelor's degree at an institution where English is the only language of instruction. Am I required to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam to apply for admission to Portland State University?
I completed an ESL program at Portland State University. Am I required to submit TOEFL or IELTS exam scores to apply for admission?
I completed an ESL program at another institution. Am I required to submit TOEFL or IELTS exam scores to apply for admission to PSU?
I do not have time to complete my action in one work session on PeopleAdmin. How do I save it?
I do not intend to study at Portland State with an F-1 or J-1 student visa. Am I required to submit proof of financial resources as part of my application for admission?
I don't have adequate funds in a bank account to cover one year of tuition and living expenses at Portland State, but I do have other assets. Can these assets be used as proof of financial resources?
I don't have any transcripts to submit with my application for admission to Portland State. What should I do?
I don't have the time or the staff to handle all the details of my conference. Where can I find help?
I don't think my living expenses will be as much as Portland State's estimates. Am I required to submit proof of financial resources for the entire amount?
I dropped a class online and now I cannot re-add it. Why not?
I got a partial refund for a class I dropped, yet I never attended the class. Can I get a full refund?
I graduated from a U.S. high school. Is that sufficient proof of English proficiency?
I had my official transcript or degree certificate translated by an agency because it is not in English. The agency staff provided me with a sealed envelope containing the translation, which I submitted to Portland State University with my admissions application. Is this an official document?
I have a bank letter that indicates that I have maintained an account for a certain number of years, but does not specify my account balance. Will this satisfy the proof of financial resources requirement?
I have a child who will be living with me and my income will be from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Do I answer “yes” to Question #51? Are TANF or welfare benefits considered to be like earned income?
I have a step-son and I personally have no custodial rights, but my wife does and we list him as a dependent on our taxes. Does he qualify?
I have an academic hold on my registration. Why is this and what must I do to get it removed?
I have become dependent on my computer’s spell check. What can I do when I enter data to the PeopleAdmin system?
I have been admitted to Portland State based on unofficial transcipts. How much time do I have to submit the official documents?
I have completed some college credits but I want to start a completely different program of study and won't be transferring any credits. Am I required to submit college transcripts as part of my application for admission to Portland State?
I have completed some college credits but I want to start over as a freshman and won't be transferring any credits. Am I required to submit college transcripts as part of my application for admission to Portland State?
I have filled out the FAFSA as an independent student because I am ward of the court. Do I need my father’s and/or mother’s signature(s)? I do not live with them, but I see them sometimes.
I have heard that sometimes Transfer Transition counts as one of my Sophomore Inquiry courses. How does this work?
I have taken many English classes at another institution and/or have completed English classes or Writing 121 at Portland State University. Am I required to submit TOEFL or IELTS exam scores to apply for admission?
I live in Oregon but my dad, who claims me on his taxes, lives in California. Am I considered a resident?
I live in Washington but I work in Oregon and pay Oregon state taxes. Am I considered a resident?
I live in Washington with my parents and they both work in Oregon. Am I considered a resident?
I live outside the United States. What does Portland State require before issuing my I-20?
I live with my foster parents and their children. Are they my “family members?”
I need to start repaying my PSU Perkins Loan. Who is my lender and how will I be billed?
I plan to transfer away from Portland State in less than one year. Am I required to submit proof of financial resources for the entire school year?
I received a master's or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States. Is that sufficient proof of English proficiency?
I signed up to attend Orientation, but I haven't gotten any confirmation.
I still have questions about Orientation...who should I contact?
I studied for three years at a university in my country. Can I transfer some of my credits, or do I have to start over at PSU?
I took the TOEFL or IELTS exam more than two years ago. Do I need to take it again before applying for admission to Portland State University?
I turned 18 and graduated, so my court case was closed. Am I no longer and independent because I am no longer a ward of the court? Am I considered dependent or independent?
I understand I may be able to cancel or defer my PSU Perkins Loan. How can I found out more about those benefits?
I want to bring a group to the gym, do you offer group programs? (Climbing Center)
I want to have the same Orientation as my friend, is that possible?
I will be living with a relative or host family while studying at Portland State. Am I required to submit a bank statement for the full amount of the estimated living expenses to show proof of financial resources?
I'll be filing a tax return this year but I probably won't get around to it until April. How should I answer the FAFSA questions?
I'm 18 years old and I'm an independent student who files my own taxes and am not claimed by my parents. Am I considered a resident?
I'm NOT admitted yet. Can I sign up to go to Orientation?
I'm a resident in the First Year Experience program. Can I change my meal plan?
I'm creating a department newsletter using the Microsoft Word newsletter template from University Communications. Are there any word count guidelines to help me fit copy in the various spaces?
I'm currently in the U.S. on an H-4 visa. Do I have to be a full-time student?
I'm enrolled in a federally recognized tribe of Oregon but haven't lived in Oregon for twelve months. Am I a resident?
I'm moving. Can PSU Recycles! provide me with boxes?
I'm not a U.S. citizen. Can I still get financial aid?
I've accepted my PSU Perkins Loan award. How do I sign my promissory note?
I've already been to an Open House, do I need to attend Orientation?
I've already been to another college, why should I go to PSU Orientation?
I've already completed some Upper Division Cluster course work, but have decided to change which Cluster I want to use to fulfill my University Studies requirement. Do I have to start over and take twelve credits of courses for the new cluster?
I've been here in Oregon for twelve months on an H-1 Visa. Am I considered a resident?
I've been living in Oregon for twelve months but am here on a non-immigrant or Student visa. Am I considered a resident?
I've heard recycling is an energy waster. Is that true?
I've lived here for twelve months but my parents, who live in another state, are supporting me. Am I considered a resident?
I've taken Upper Division course work that is the same or similar to a required Cluster class at another university. Can I use that course to count as one of my Cluster courses?
If I allow a family member to use my staff rate for tuition benefit, may I also use it the same term?
If I am academically dismissed, can I ever return to PSU?
If I am in default on a loan or owe a repayment of a grant, how does that affect my financial aid?
If I am not satisfied with my student representative, what are my options?
If I can't get official transcripts in time to be admitted to Portland State for the next term, can I submit unofficial transcripts?
If I can’t make a pre-trip meeting, can I still go on an Outdoor Program trip?
If I have questions about commencement, who should I ask?
If I rent a car to use for PSU business, should I accept CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) coverage?
If I take Transfer Transition to count as one of my Sophomore Inquiry courses, how do I know what cluster to take?
If I take classes at both Portland State and a community college this term (I'm a co-admitted student), how does Portland State know that I'm a full-time student for financial aid purposes?