Penn State community members are invited to ask questions and share thoughts and feedback about how to improve the budget model.

Share your Thoughts

Budget Allocation Approach

Penn State's data-driven budget allocation model is part of our modern budgeting approach to uphold the University's commitment to student success, research, and the land-grant mission across the commonwealth.

The Budget Model

The data-driven budget model creates a clearer picture of the University’s overall revenue and costs and helps to better inform spending priorities and investments to support Penn State’s mission and values. The University is committed to aligning resources with the needs of our students by using data and metrics to inform annual allocations. By budgeting ahead two fiscal years (meaning we are planning for 2026-27 fiscal year in 2025), our students, their families, and our unit leaders are able to plan for the future.

To help keep Penn State on track with its financial goals and to protect institutional finances, monthly financial reports are distributed to budget executives, financial officers, the president, and the Board of Trustees.

Annual Budget Model Timeline

  • November-December: The budget model is rerun with current data for two fiscal years in the future 
  • December: Budget executives receive their unit’s central allocation for the future fiscal year  and have an opportunity to review the model and share feedback 
  • January: Allocations are shared with the University community 
  • April-May: Budget executives and financial officers use the central allocation they receive to create their fiscal year budget  
  • April-May: Budget executives and financial officers meet with the senior vice president for Finance and Business, provost, and/or senior vice president and chief of staff to get approval for their fiscal year budget  
  • May-June: The Budget and Finance Office prepares the University budget  
  • July: The Board of Trustees is asked to approve the operating budget and tuition schedules 
Old Main clock tower with fall foliage

OPAIR Dashboards

The Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research (OPAIR) developed student credit hours dashboards for Penn State employees. The dashboards can only be accessed by employees on campus or using the University's VPN. Contact OPAIR for more information.

Close up of the old main clock tower

Penn State’s Institutional Values

Upholding and strengthening Penn State's core mission, vision and values are the foundation of the process to build a new budget model.

University Park bell covered in snow

Principles

The working group identified key principles to guide the budget model decision-making process. 

World turtle with students in the background

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find answers to the common questions about the budget allocation initiative.

A screenshot from an Asked and Answered Video Series

Asked and Answered

A video series featuring members of the Working Group addressing questions about the budget plan.

Additional Information

VIDEOS

ARTICLES