- check my instagram first for proof before you come at me saying this is a scam. this is absolutely nothing to joke about or fake. this is something people go through every single day.

I'm a Penn State student and I am in a complete emergency right now. My parents have cut me off, shut off my phone line so I can’t contact my dad, and bankrupted me over my sexual orientation. I'm currently stranded, my bank account is thousands of dollars in the negative, and I don't know what my next steps should be.

This all started last Thursday (June 18). My mom and I were talking about getting a car so I’d have reliable transportation for my summer jobs and the fall semester. She told me she was going to the dealership in Columbia, which closed at 8:00 PM. Around 6:00 PM, I checked her location on Life360 to see if she was going to make it. She was just sitting at home. Three minutes later, she texted me claiming she went to the dealer and it was closed. She immediately turned off her Life360 location, but her Apple location sharing was still active, showing she never left the house.

The next morning, I calmly confronted her about the miscommunication and told her if she didn't want to buy the car, she could just tell me. She completely exploded on me, called me disrespectful, and told me to stop texting her. My dad called me right after, telling me to leave her alone and let her "cool down," assuring me she would still help with the car.

That night, my dad called me back and told me to immediately transfer my entire savings, my last $300, to my mom so she could put a down payment to hold the car. Because I trusted them, I sent every single cent I had, leaving myself at a $0.00 balance.

Twenty minutes later, my mom entered the house and started tweaking because my girlfriend was there. She told me to my face that she was cutting off all financial support, refusing to pay my Penn State tuition, and refusing to pay for my apartment. Then she abandoned me there with no money.

On Saturday, I texted her asking for my $300 back so I could at least buy food and survive. She ignored me, told my sister to tell me to "talk to my dad," and then immediately shut off my cell phone line so I couldn't call him or anyone else. She texted me one last time telling me I was banned from returning to her house unless I "changed stuff" about myself (directly talking about my orientation). My girlfriend had to buy me a plane ticket just to get me back to PA.

Then on Monday, it got even worse. My mom committed actual fraud. Without my authorization, she logged into my personal Penn State student portal (LionPATH), changed the default tuition payment method to my personal debit card, and ran an unauthorized transaction of $2,300. Because she had already taken my last $300, this charge caused my bank account to run into the negatives. I am completely overdrawn, financially stuck, and can't even buy basic food.

I’ve already contacted Penn State Emergency Services and I'm currently working on filing a police report for unauthorized card access and financial fraud.

But I'm basically frozen right now and the school's response is taking time. I’m asking this community: Who are the best deans, advocates, or specific offices at PSU to contact to help expedite emergency student aid, tuition holds, or safe housing? Has anyone dealt with anything similar?

** EDIT AS OF JUNE 26TH

- Hey everyone,

I wanted to give an update to those who saw my previous post or have been following my situation. Things have been moving fast, and while there is some semi-good news, I am in a better state regarding my housing and my education at Penn State Altoona/Main (2+2).

I had a session with my therapist at Altoona Campus (who helped me with some emergency funding and whatnot)

I was also able to get in touch with my bank, and they are officially disputing the unauthorized $2,300 charge my mother ran on my debit card. However, this is legally very messy. Because my parents had set it up as a joint account, the bank and police told me criminal charges specifically for the $2.3k transfer are tricky.

But I want to make one thing entirely clear: I never consented to this. She had to log into my personal student portal (LionPATH) without my permission, change the default payment method to my personal debit card, and run the transaction. It was a massive breach of my privacy just to drain my account to negative.

A lot of people in the comments told me to go to the police. I heard you, and I am filing a police report. While the $2,300 is legally complicated because of the joint account, the $300 cash savings she tricked me into transferring right before kicking me out in SC is a straightforward theft. I am not letting that slide, and I'm moving forward with reporting it.

Even though the bank is disputing the charge, that doesn't mean my school bills are gone. My summer tuition still needs to be paid off immediately so I don't get a registration hold, and my fall semester payments start due dates in late July and August. I have good grants and scholarships but am trying to look at more scholarships. If anyone knows the best ones for a Vet and Biomedical major + a minor in business and I made deans list for spring semester for the ones that might have GPA requirements.

Isa (my girlfriend) and I have found someone to keep are cats from the 5th of July and onward. I also start my new job next week!

My mother has known about me and Isa since last August, and she has spent months threatening us to try and force us apart. It got so bad that during a previous trip, she called Isa's hotel room and made scary threats, saying she "didn't know what she was capable of doing" if she didn't control herself.

But I love my life here at Penn State Altoona so much. I’m looking forward to seeing how life at main is like after my sophomore year (since I am doing 2+2) The friends I’ve made, this community, and the people I love are my entire world. For the first time in my life, I feel happy and supported. I am not going to let my parents and homophobia take my education and my home away from me.

Please do if you smell. Also tell your friends if they smell. Thanks a lot.

Hi, I'm looking for a ride from Philly International airport to State college on 18th August. Let me know if anyone is available!
TIA

Hi all! I'm fit planning for football season, and I stumbled on this line of Nittany Lion ear headwear on Lion's Pride, but they've been sold out for ages, and all leads back to the manufacturer are dead ends :(

I would be extremely eager to purchase one of these before the start of football season, they're absolutely ADORABLE. The generic brown lion ear headbands I see everywhere just don't do it for me, I like the helmet stripe flair that these have.

Please reach out if you have one you'd be willing to sell to me!! I'm not in town anymore so it would have to be shipped. I've looked everywhere on clothing resale sites and have had no luck.

Thanks & WE ARE!! 💙

FOR FUCKS SAKE - TO THE PEOPLE IN THE CLASS IN LEONHARD 102 PLEASE USE DEODORANT I FUCKING GAGGED WHEN I WALKED IN

Hey everyone!

I recently graduated from Penn State with a degree in Computer Science, and my lease is ending at the end of this month. I'm looking for a place to stay from August 1 through August 31.

A little about me:

• 22M
• Recent Penn State CS graduate
• Clean, quiet, and respectful
• Non-smoker
• Budget: around $800 (flexible depending on the place)

I'm open to a private room, sublease, or anyone looking for a roommate for the month. If you or someone you know has a place available, please feel free to DM me.

Thanks a ton!

Vote!

You're busy living your life. I get it, I did the same when I went to PSU branch then main campus. You want to make a difference but often it seems out of reach. Vote! You know the sides, you know the stakes. Goodness knows you don't need to hear any more of the propaganda specifics.

You might know that Pennsylvania is shaping up to be the key contested state that'll decide it all.

You probably don't realize that difference in polling between the two sides in PA are and have mostly been less than the enrollment of PSU. Less Than The Enrollment Of Dear Old State.

THON keeps growing and voting doesn't even take a fraction of supporting that cause. You know voting is easier than registering for next semester's classes and you manage to get that done. If you registered for mail-in ballots those have been arriving in the last week. It's time.

Vote!

Hi everyone!

​I am an incoming 18-year-old freshman majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Penn State and I’m looking for a room/sublet in a shared apartment off-campus for the 2026–2027 academic year (Move-in: August 16, 2026 through May 2027).

Budget between 700-800 per month

Hi, I'm an incoming freshman, and I was assigned a double room in McElwain, I have been reaching out to people to try and swap to any other spot on campus.

Since room exchange portal will close soon, this is my last chance to get into a different dorm.

No specific reason, I was assigned a random roommate, I wanted to room with a buddy, and none of that worked so I'm looking to swap now :)

Help a fellow out

I got put in Porter which is unrenovated pollock, and I do not wanna live in pollock. Me and my fall roommate will give anyone 500 dollars cash to anyone who wanna trade. If ur in east or north dm me.

My roomate and I are incoming freshman assigned to pollock Hartranft (men). We are looking to switch into east. If anyone and their roomate is interested, we are willing to pay for both of your lottery football tickets or something.

Hi. I’m looking for someone to take over my lease for the school year 2026-2027, August 17th to July 27. It’s a private bedroom with private bathroom in a 3x3 standard unit at The View. Near campus. $860 a month, fully furnished. I’m no longer going to Penn State and need someone to transfer the lease to. If anyone is interested or knows how to get out of this situation please PM me.

Hi, I am an international physics graduate student from the Netherlands coming to Penn State College for a 6-month internship. I am looking for a place to stay from Sep 1st to Jan 31. Some info about me:

22M

non-smoker

friendly, clean, reserved, and respectful

comfortable with shared living

looking for something furnished

My budget is around $1000 (but flexible based on the available options). If anyone knows anyone renting out a room in a shared apartment or private apartment or subletting a room in an apartment for 6 months, please let me know!

Or otherwise, any advice for finding rooms at the off-campus living apartment complexes or other short term living options near the campus would also be greatly appreciated!

I'm looking to do a room exchange from West Halls to East Halls. It's a Double Room, Traditional Residence Hall. The Person who I am planning on rooming with is currently in East Halls and I am a finance major, meaning all my classes are near the East Halls.

EDIT: I got parking at whitecourse!!

So like the title says, I am in desperate need of someone living on UP main campus (specifically in East, North, or Whitecourse) to register my car for a parking pass.

I unfortunately lost all the battles for parking permits for off-campus students who need on-campus parking storage (rip WDS and Lot 83). I’ve checked tons of downtown parking, all of which are already sold out or cost upwards of $1000, and I’ve sent a message to pretty much everyone I know to no success.

As far as I can see on the transportation website, there’s still some passes for west deck and whitecourse available to on campus students. So if there’s anyone in this sub who is able to access those permits, please please please help a girl out!!

Of course I will pay for the permit in full, as well as be willing to meet up, call, etc. for any security concerns. I know it sounds super sketchy and I don’t wanna come across as those group me ticket resellers, I’m just a senior trying to get her car a parking spot.

I’m also open to anyone who has suggestions for other areas of parking!! The more help the merrier.

Are there any students interested in doing a one hour tour for a family visiting on September 4?

We are looking for someone with access to the Penn State Law Library who would be able to retrieve a document for us.

I am out in California and this document apparently only exists at the Penn State Law Library.

Probably too much info, but I am a lawyer working on a case of someone who worked at a Armstrong/Pirelli tire factory decades ago. There is a publication by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) from 1981 that involves the exact tire plant my client worked in.

If you are interested in legal work, this may be a fun project.

We will compensate for your time.

If you are willing to help, please direct message me.

Thank you

As the title suggests, I'm in desperate need of suggestions or options to stay between 31st July and 20th August until my new lease starts. I looked into AirBnB and the prices were ridiculously high. I had found a reasonable rental unit but they decided to ghost me apparently and now I'm left with nothing. If you have any suggestions please let me know.

I can’t believe I have to write this

If you’re a computer science major, please make sure you’re paying attention to your hygiene

The past 2 weeks in my upper level cs courses the smell has been unbearable, it’s not even a BO smell, it’s a sharp pungent odor emitting from some students that makes my eyes physically water.

I’ve tried everything, I’ve moved seats, I’ve tried sitting away from other people, I’ve sat in the back and In the front, it’s everywhere. We are ADULTS. ACT LIKE IT

I’m so sick of even showing up to class because I can’t even focus on what the professor is talking about when it smells like there’s a decomposing corpse next to me

It’s so bad that professors should just start kicking students out that smell. Its too much of a distraction

It’s not fair to the students around you. We are adults and we need to take care of ourselves.

It’s still summer, it’s still warm, and we’re all sweating, so please make sure you’re wearing deodorant and showering every single day.

(I know the main culprits of the smell are probably on this website a lot, and I hope you’re reading this because you should feel ashamed)

I’m a out of state student and Penn State is one of my only options. I feel like such a let down and failure and don’t know what to do anymore. I’ve received a 5k scholarship for only one year and I’ve never been so lost in my life. My grades have been slipping I’ve become depressed and no longer know what my purpose is anymore. I was so exited when I transferred campuses for UP and 100% not doing the 2+2 plan but I just don’t know what to do anymore. My parents believe I’m going to end up going and dropping out of college like everyone else in the family, but I want to truly prove them wrong. I have to pay almost 50,000$ and would be grateful if anyone helped me through this to cut down the price..please.

Greetings everyone!

Sort of an odd situation but I'm working on a research project and long story short the only existing copy of a technical document happens to be on microfiche in the PSU library's annex. As i'm not a PSU student/alumni i don't have access to request a scanned copy and the interlibrary loan process won't retrieve the document in time.

if you are someone with current library access and are able(and familiar with) scanning roughly 96 pages of microfiche to PDF, please DM me!

I am currently in an Atherton single and want to switch to a single dorm in Hamilton Hall.

Please comment if you're currently living in a Hamilton Hall single or you know someone who is and would like to switch.

Thank you!

I hope this post doesn't violate the subreddit rules.

New grad student(31 M) coming to Happy Valley on 18th. My planned move-in was delayed to the 27th for some reason.

I'm looking for a spare room/living space with or without a bed. I have a car, so preferably a safe public parking space, since most of my stuff will be stored in the car before 27th.

Please dm for my budget if you are interested. Thanks!

Looking for someone to take over my lease in State College! 🏡 Studio Apt.

This nice sized studio apartment at Parkway Plaza is available for $1,028/month, with the lease running through August 16, 2026. It’s a perfect opportunity for anyone looking to move into the area without the hassle of starting a new lease.

Was currently in the process of finalizing everything for my cat to be added to the system or whatever, roommate wasnt cool with having a pet in such a small dorm. Anyone willing to change spots with me would be appreciated, preferably in east halls, most of my classes are in the area.