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 New Kensington education affordable. 

  • 85% of Penn State New Kensington students receive some form of financial aid. 
  • In 2022, Penn State New Kensington awarded $359,071 out of its endowments to 180 students. 
  • With other University-wide scholarships and awards given, over 300 students received awards totaling over $910,000.

Scholarships without an application:

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.

Approximately 50 percent of all academic scholarships require merit and financial need. To be considered for scholarships that require financial need, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To receive maximum consideration for all forms of student aid, Penn State recommends certain completion dates.

  • First year students recommended completion date is December 1
  • Returning students recommended completion date is April 15.

The Discover Penn State Award

This award is available to Penn State students from states bordering Pennsylvania (DE, MD, OH, NJ, NY, and WV), as well as the District of Columbia and Virginia. Students from these states may be considered for an award of $6,000 in their freshman and sophomore years, and $7,000 in their junior and senior years. Students who transfer from a community college to Penn State New Kensington may be considered for an award of $6,500 a year for three years to help them earn a bachelor’s degree. The Discover Award will follow a student to another Commonwealth Campus, but not to University Park. The priority review date for students enrolling for the upcoming fall semester is November 30; please have your Penn State application complete and submitted by this date. This award also requires a FAFSA sent to Penn State to be considered; the priority date for submitting your FAFSA is December 1st.

The Provost Award

The Provost Award is dedicated to Pennsylvania residents and out-of-state students who do not qualify for The Discover Penn State Award. The Provost award ranges between $5,000 (for freshmen and sophomores) and $7,000 (for juniors and seniors). The Provost Award follows a student if the student transitions to another Commonwealth Campus or to University Park.

Scholarships with an application:

Academic College Scholarships

Award values range from $700 to $4,000 per academic year. Awarding for both first-year and continuing students usually begins as early as December and continues throughout the year. Scholarship funds for first-year students are limited for some academic colleges.

The Penn State New Kensington Honors Scholarship

The Penn State New Kensington Honors Program is designed for stronger students in all majors. Our program seeks applicants with a record of academic achievement and a commitment to scholarship.  Penn State New Kensington Honors students work closely with professors and fellow honors students in honors courses and independent study, conduct independent research and present it at the annual Research and Creative Expo, attend cultural and academic activities, earn honors credits which appear on Penn State transcripts, and receive a $2,000 honors scholarship each year that they remain at Penn State New Kensington.

The Honors Scholarship Program is by invite only. 

Candidates will be invited to fill out an application that must be submitted in March for consideration. See Application procedures.

Educational Equity Scholarships

The Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity facilitates the awarding of approximately eighty annual scholarships through a central application process. The Educational Equity Scholarships include support for students with disabilities, students with veteran status or military dependents, and students who further the inclusion, diversity, and equity initiatives of the University. To apply for these scholarships, visit equity.psu.edu/scholarships.

Adult Learner Scholarships

The Adult Learners Scholarship is available for undergraduate students enrolled in a Penn State degree program and taking classes full-time or part-time (at least 6 credits per semester). 

You must also meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Age 24 or older
  • Active-duty military or veteran
  • Have a spouse and/or dependents