University of Pennsylvania (Penn) STEM OPT Fee Information
The University of Pennsylvania (in Philadelphia) charges a Penn Internal Processing Fee through its International Student and Scholar Services office (ISSS) for the STEM OPT extension, on top of the USCIS filing fee. For the post-completion OPT fee, see University of Pennsylvania (Penn) OPT Fees.
ISSS STEM OPT page | ISSS OPT overview
Fee Details
| Application | Amount |
|---|---|
| STEM OPT extension | $290 or $305 (two pages disagree) |
The STEM OPT page and the STEM OPT application steps say $290:
STEM OPT Extension: $290 Penn Internal Processing Fee
Upload a completed Form I-983 and pay the $290 Penn Internal Processing Fee.
The OPT overview page says $305:
STEM OPT Extension: $305 Penn fee + $470 USCIS fee
The overview page lists the premium processing fee as $1,685, while the STEM OPT page says $1,780, so the overview's figures may be out of date. When you apply for STEM OPT, go by the amount iPenn actually asks you to pay.
When the Fee Is Charged
You pay after you submit the e-form in iPenn. From the STEM OPT application page:
After submitting the eForm in iPenn, pay the Penn Internal Processing Fee.
Notes
- This fee is paid to the school. It is separate from the USCIS I-765 filing fee, and you pay both.
- The website doesn't say whether the fee is refundable.