We know families carefully consider the value of the investments they make, and education is no exception. Penn State New Kensington prides itself in partnering with students and families to help meet their needs, from academics to student engagement and affordability. There are many University-wide awards and scholarships, as well as New Kensington-specific scholarships, that help make a Penn State education affordable.

What are scholarships?

Scholarships are a form of gift aid, and are awarded on the basis of merit or financial need, or a combination, as defined by the specific scholarship program. These awards do not have to be repaid. The source for scholarships may be the institution that a student is attending or an outside source. 

Penn State cannot negotiate student aid packages to match grant and scholarship offers from other colleges and universities. Scholarship awards can be made by the student's campus, academic college, the Office of Student Aid, or other administrative units. Awards are highly competitive due to limited funding. 

Submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only action required to apply for most financial aid at Penn State. However, some private scholarships and Penn State scholarships require separate applications. You will need to complete the FAFSA each year for financial aid consideration. Most scholarships are merit and need-based. To receive maximum consideration for all forms of student aid, Penn State recommends certain completion dates.Steps to Complete the FAFSA

  • First-time Student Recommended FAFSA Filing Deadline for the upcoming academic year is February 15.
  • Current Students Recommended FAFSA Filing Deadline is April 15 each year.
  • PA State Grant FAFSA Filing Deadline is May 1

Scholar-Donor Dinner

At Penn State New Kensington, recipients of campus scholarships are invited to attend the annual Scholar-Donor Lunch. This event pairs scholarship recipients with scholarship donors at a formal dinner to create a sense of community, build relationships, and provide networking opportunities. Scholarship recipients have the ability to meet the patron who has helped to make their education possible; scholarship donors are able to meet the students their scholarship contributions have directly assisted. If selected for a campus-based scholarship, you will receive an invitation to the Scholar-Donor Lunch.

Students may also send a thank you by filling out our Scholarship Thank You Letter Form.

Scholarship Options 

Penn State New Kensington Scholarships

We are extremely grateful to our alumni and friends who support our students through scholarship endowments at the campus, valued at around $1.6 million. These awards are available to new and continuing students and do not require an application. Eligibility for these scholarships vary and is determined by donor guidelines. 

University-Wide Scholarships

All students who are offered admission and submit a FAFSA to Penn State are considered for scholarships awarded by the Office of Student Aid. Each year, Penn State enrolls many outstanding and academically talented students and therefore cannot assist all deserving students. One in five undergraduates receives a University scholarship. Awards vary and are determined by donor guidelines.

Students are considered automatically for campus-based and general University-Wide Scholarships, i.e. scholarships available to all students without regard to campus or college. Decisions are based on the performance information collected from admission applications or current Penn State academic records.

Penn State Commonwealth Award

The Penn State Commonwealth Award is offered annually to first-time, first-year students who are residents of Pennsylvania and enroll at a Penn State campus other than Penn State University Park or Penn State World Campus for the fall semester immediately following their high school graduation. Transfer students are not eligible to receive the award.

Penn State Discover Award

The Discover Award is awarded to first-time, first-year domestic students who enroll at a Penn State campus other than Penn State University Park or Penn State World Campus for both the fall and spring semester immediately following their high school graduation. Transfer students who enroll in a degree program that can be completed at a Penn State campus other than Penn State University Park or Penn State World campus are also eligible.

Support to Complete Your Penn State Degree

Penn State offers scholarship awards designed to help currently enrolled students on their way to completing a Penn State degree program.

Complete Penn State

The Complete Penn State Program advocates for students who are working to overcome barriers, connects students to key resources, and provides a little extra support in completion of a Penn State degree.

Summer Success Scholarship

The Summer Success Scholarship helps undergraduate students who have fallen behind in their degree program and would benefit from taking a summer course to get caught up but have financial challenges to doing so.

Schreyer Honors College

The Schreyer Honors College awards scholarships to students who are admitted to the Schreyer Honors Program. There is a separate application process to be considered for the Honors Program that should be completed at the same time you apply for admission to Penn State. Students of any campus can be admitted to the Schreyer Honors College.

College Specific Scholarships

Aany of the academic colleges at Penn State offer scholarships specifically to the students studying within that college. These scholarships tend to be for upper-class students (second, third, or fourth year students) and many require students to complete a separate scholarship application.

Administrative Unit Scholarships

Questions or concerns regarding scholarships at Penn State New Kensington can be sent to [email protected].

Note: Your correspondence should not contain attached documents requested for financial aid verification or documentation containing a social security number. We welcome via email any other questions or concerns.