Frequently Asked Questions

Find your questions

Thirteen topic pages, 359 questions, each answer pointing to the office page that settles it. Pick the group that fits.

Getting in and paying for it

• Admissions — deadlines, requirements, test scores, visits and the enrollment deposit (29 questions)
• Financial aid — the FAFSA, aid offers, scholarships, work-study and emergency money (28 questions)
• Tuition & billing — tuition rates, the bill, payment plans, refunds and residency (28 questions)
• Transfer students — how credit transfers, technical-college agreements and the residency rule (29 questions)
• International students — the I-20, F-1 status, CPT and OPT, and arrival (28 questions)

Living here

• Housing — the live-on rule, halls, roommates, move-in and breaks (29 questions)
• Dining — meal plans, Campus Cash, where to eat and allergies (25 questions)
• Parking & transportation — permits, the Porter Loop, the city bus, bikes and winter rules (25 questions)
• Campus safety — emergencies, PorterAlert, escorts and reporting (28 questions)
• Technology — your account, MFA, the issued laptop, Wi-Fi and printing (27 questions)

Classes and finishing

• Registration — registration windows, holds, waitlists and add/drop deadlines (27 questions)
• Graduation — applying to graduate, ceremonies, regalia and diplomas (28 questions)

For families

• Parents & families — privacy rules, the bill, wellbeing and Family Weekend (28 questions)

Top 10 questions

How do I apply, and what does it cost?

Online, with no fee and no essay, in about twenty minutes; most applicants hear in about two weeks. Fall 2027 priority date is February 1, 2027 (admissions FAQ).

What is Porter’s FAFSA school code?

009399. File the 2027–28 FAFSA by February 1, 2027 for the best shot at limited grants and work-study (financial aid FAQ).

How much is tuition?

For 2026–27, $9,140 for Wesconsin residents and $17,880 for non-residents, plus $1,420 in segregated fees. A standard double with the standard meal plan is $10,100 (tuition & billing FAQ).

When is my bill due?

Fall charges in mid-September and spring charges in mid-February; the exact date is on your MyPorter statement. A four- or five-payment plan costs $35 a term.

Do first-year students have to live on campus?

Yes, for the first fall and spring, with exemptions such as living with family within 35 miles. First-years who apply by May 1 are guaranteed housing (housing FAQ).

When can I register for spring 2027?

Continuing students’ windows open November 9, 2026, seniors first; your time is in MyPorter. Clear holds two weeks ahead (registration FAQ).

When are finals and when does spring start?

Fall finals run December 14–18, 2026. Spring classes begin January 25, 2027 (academic calendar).

I am locked out of my account. Who can help?

The Technology Help Desk, Halvorsen Library Level 1, (715) 555–0146, resets passwords and MFA (technology FAQ).

Where can I park?

Only with a permit bought in MyPorter, in your zone; your plate is the permit. The Porter Loop and the city bus are free (parking & transportation FAQ).

When is commencement?

Saturday, May 15, 2027 in Ironclad Fieldhouse; no tickets needed. Apply to graduate in MyPorter the term before your last (graduation FAQ).

Key dates, 2026–27

Still stuck?

If your question is not here, there are four faster routes than guessing:

• Ask Poly. The chatbot in the corner of every page searches these FAQs and the rest of the site, and tells you which page its answer came from.
• The Porter Student Help Desk in Founders Union 118 is the single place to start when it is not obvious which office owns a question — registration, billing, housing or a hold. Call (715) 555–0120.
• The switchboard, (715) 555–0188, is staffed by a person weekdays 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and can route anything.
• Browse. The A–Z index, the directory and the contact page list every office, phone number and email.

In an emergency, call 911, then Campus Safety at (715) 555–0191.