The Pennsylvania Department of Education does not
receive, maintain, or service student academic transcripts. Furthermore,
the Pennsylvania Department of Education is unable to provide education
verifications.
Student academic transcripts are maintained by licensed/registered schools for 50 years. Please contact the institution you attended for a copy of your transcript.
Students who attended a Private Licensed School that has closed may obtain their student academic transcript from the school's records repository. The repository for your school's records can be found using the resource below.
If you would like to make a formal complaint about a Private Licensed School, please complete and submit a Student Complaint Form. Forms must contain the student's name, contact information, and signature for the complaint to be processed.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education does not administer financial aid or loan programs or process requests for loan forgiveness.
The school you plan to attend is often the best source of information regarding available funding opportunities. The school's financial aid office will be able to tell you which federal and state programs they administer. They will also be able to tell you if additional sources of funding might be available including scholarships, grants, loans, etc.
Please be cautious of any offers of assistance to find or secure financial aid if a fee is required for the service.
Programs and courses completed at a Private Licensed School are not always accepted for transfer to a college, university, or other postsecondary institutions. It is at the discretion of the receiving institution whether they will accept credit transfers.
Schools licensed/registered by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools, Pennsylvania Department of Education, are approved to offer Board-approved programs to students beyond the age of compulsory education. This means that they have permission to conduct business and offer the Board-approved programs to adults.
While the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools' program approval process to offer programs to students beyond the age of compulsory education (adults) confirms a certain level of content and performance, it is not a seal of academic quality. Academic quality is more accurately reflected by accreditation. The Pennsylvania Department of Education does not offer accreditation in this capacity. Acceptance of a Private Licensed School High School diploma is at the discretion of the receiving institution.
Students who are of compulsory school-age should coordinate completing their High School diploma with their home school district. The State Board of Private Licensed Schools does not oversee or approve programs or courses taught to elementary or secondary students. Please contact the institution, the student's home school district, or the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, School Services, at ra-PDE-SchoolService@pa.gov for assistance regarding High School diploma awards for compulsory-age students.
The State Board of Private Licensed Schools consists of 15 members. The Secretary of Education appoints 14 Board members to represent school sectors – business and commercial; trades and technologies; and correspondence, home-study, and distance education – and the public. One member represents the Office of Attorney General. The Board meets quarterly to review and act on applications and requests and to develop policy.
All terms shall be for four years and members may serve no more than two consecutive four-year terms.
Individuals interested in recommending a member candidate, or an individual interested in serving on the Board, should submit a letter of recommendation/interest along with the candidates resume, to the Division Chief via email RA-PLS@pa.gov.