All students admitted to Penn State are automatically considered for University-related scholarships. 

There is not a separate application required for scholarships, except the Honors Scholarship, which is by invite only. Awards to first-year, transfer and upper-division students are made by the Office of Student Aid, which typically begins its review in February (prior to fall semester enrollment). 

Most scholarships are both merit and need-based, therefore, students are strongly encouraged to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), since many scholarships have a financial need requirement. Unless noted, all awards are for one academic year, although some awards may be renewable if funds are available and student eligibility continues.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Scholarship consideration is given to U.S. students with a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
  • For priority scholarship consideration, students must submit an admissions application with academic credentials by November 30 with Penn State New Kensington as their first-choice campus to be considered for our commonwealth scholarships.
    • No separate scholarship application is needed.
  • Students must enroll at Penn State New Kensington as degree-seeking, full-time students to be eligible.
  • Some scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and demonstrated financial need. We recommend you complete the FAFSA by December 1.

Award Decisions

Merit decisions are based on the performance information collected from the admissions application or current Penn State academic records. Financial need is determined from the FAFSA sent to Penn State. Penn State New Kensington annually awards more than $300,000 in scholarships with the average award being $2,000.

Award Timeline

Awarding begins in February for first-year students, and in June for transfer and continuing students. Generally, students selected to receive a scholarship are notified of their award between January and June, although awarding may occur throughout the academic year. Scholarship award notifications are mailed or emailed by the academic or administrative area making the award. These notifications are independent of federal and state aid award notifications. In most cases, scholarships are awarded for two semesters (fall and spring) and typically require full-time enrollment, i.e. a minimum of 12 credits per semester.

Maximize Your Scholarship Opportunities

  • Submit your FAFSA early to ensure eligibility for financial aid-based scholarships.
  • Maintain a strong GPA to qualify for merit-based scholarships.
  • Stay informed about additional scholarship opportunities available through external organizations.A GUIDE TO COMPLETE THE FAFSA