If you are interested in graduate work at Penn State Astronomy & Astrophysics (including at the Center for Habitable Worlds or the Penn State Extraterrestrial Intelligence Center), please take a look at the page here and the FAQ here.  It will answer most of your questions. We do offer graduate application fee waivers.

In particular note:

It is not necessary to contact a faculty member to secure an endorsement or check for research openings prior to applying.  Graduate admissions are not based upon openings or support in specific research groups but overall accomplishments and potential. Neither a student’s admission nor the department’s commitment to financial support after matriculation is tied to any particular adviser’s endorsement or financial resources. Students are not assigned advisers by the department, and many students change advisers or work with multiple advisers.

That said, applicants should clearly describe in their personal statement their reasons for wishing to attend Penn State, and they should explain why their research interests and career goals are a good fit for the department. Prospective applicants should therefore carefully consider the listed research programs on the department’s web pages.  Applicants may ask faculty about the prospects for specific research areas prior to applying to ensure their applications are consistent with research being actively conducted by its faculty.  However, applicants should realize that some faculty will wait until admissions offers are extended before engaging with prospective students.

As for me specifically, I am always on the lookout for good students looking for projects in SETI! Funding is uncertain in the field, but the department guarantees financial support (as a TA if nothing else) for all students in good standing.

If you want to learn more about working at the PSETI Center you are welcome to contact me.