Pennsylvania Scholarships

Pennsylvania ranks #36 in Education overall. It is home to some of the top national universities in America like the University of Pennsylvania which ranks at #6 in terms of the best colleges nationally. Since it houses such oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States, there is a plethora of high-quality educational opportunities that students here can take advantage of. Pennsylvania also offers a large number of technical schools and community colleges that offer specialized training and certificates tailored to in-demand fields.

Moreover, with its rich history, cultural diversity, and a large variety of recreational activities, Pennsylvania is an ideal location for students from all walks of life looking to expand academically. The state has more than 647,000 students studying here with the majority of the enrollments being undergraduate. The average tuition cost for in-state students studying at public universities is one of the highest in Pennsylvania, being around $14,532, which is even higher than the national average. However, to support the high cost of tuition here, many private and public organizations offer Pennsylvania scholarships to students who want to pursue higher education.

At present, the state’s total student debt is more than $60 billion and these scholarships can help students avoid taking student loans and increasing the debt further. Since scholarship money does not need to be repaid, students can focus on their studies fully without having to worry about their education finances and loan repayments. We have listed more than 30 Pennsylvania scholarships of different amounts to help students within the state achieve their educational dreams without increasing the debt burden.

There are around 334 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania. This gives a lot of choice to students who choose to pursue higher studies in this state. Out of the total number of higher education institutions here, 94 are publicly owned and the rest are private. Almost 46% of the 334 institutions are 4-year colleges and universities. Students also have a vast choice in community schools and trade/vocational schools in Pennsylvania. The state offers around 90 community colleges and about 91 trade/vocational schools.

The top three university choices include the University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Lehigh University. Other good universities that are comparatively more affordable than the top three in the state include Pennsylvania State University and the University of Pittsburgh.

The University of Pennsylvania is a 4-year private institution located in the city of Philadelphia, PA. It is the most prestigious university in the state and charges high tuition and fees of around $66,104. It is the 6th best university in the country according to the U.S. News and is at the top for Business programs. It houses around 23,374 students out of which 9,760 are undergraduate enrollments. It has a low acceptance rate of 7% compared to other universities. On-campus housing is also available here and room and board costs around $18,496 (2023-24).

Carnegie Mellon University, located in Pittsburgh, is another private university and it is ranked #24 in terms of the best national universities in America. It has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 11% and it houses more than 7500 undergraduate students. The tuition and fees here cost around $63,829 and room and board adds $17,468 for the academic year ending 2024. Computer Science and Engineering majors are most popular at this institution.

Lehigh University was founded in the 1800s and it is located in Bethlehem. It is another expensive higher education institution in Pennsylvania as it charges around $62,180 for tuition and fees and $16,470 for room and board in the year ending 2024. The university has around 7,394 students and some of the popular majors here include Finance and Mechanical Engineering. It has the highest acceptance rate of 37% out of the top three private colleges within the state.

Pennsylvania State University and the University of Pittsburgh are both public institutions with more affordable tuition costs ranging between $19,835 to $21,524 for in-state students. The room and board are also below $13,500 for the academic year 2023 to 2024. These figures are lower than the ones mentioned for the top three but are still quite high for public universities compared to the national average. Students can take help from the available Pennsylvania scholarships to afford education in the state more easily. Some full-ride scholarships that can help students in Pennsylvania include the Faerie L. Angle Memorial Scholarship Fund, Exelon HBCU Corporate Scholars Program, Pennsylvania House of Representatives Scholarship, and Evans Scholars Program Evans Scholars Program.

Students have many options for universities and colleges that give admissions to students with a 3.0 GPA. A few examples include the Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Chestnut Hill College, and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania is a public university with a high admission rate of 80%. The average accepted GPA here is around 3.06 and the average SAT scores of accepted students fall between 840-1040. However, submitting test scores is not compulsory for admission but if submitted, they are considered for admission. Moreover, there is no application fee to apply at this university so it would be best to take a chance and apply for admission regardless of the GPA that you have.

Chestnut Hill College is located in the city of Philadelphia. It is a private institution with a high acceptance rate of 98% and attracts students with average grades. This school has a test-blind policy which means that SATs/ACTs are neither required nor considered if submitted. There is, however, a fee of $35 charged for applying.

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is located in Lancaster, PA. It is a private institution with a city setting and an acceptance rate of around 44%. New admissions here have an average GPA of around 3.13. This college also has a test-blind policy and does not require any test scores. Moreover, there is a $40 cost for prospective students to apply here.

Pennsylvania has one of the highest average in-state tuition and fees which is around $14,532. This is around 55% higher than the average tuition and fees in the U.S. The state houses some of the most expensive educational institutions in the country. Therefore, studying in Pennsylvania without some form of financial aid is not feasible for most students.

Some of the most expensive universities in the state include the University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, and Carnegie Mellon University. The highest tuition and fees charged by the University of Pennsylvania of around $66,104 and the lowest is $63,829 charged by Carnegie Mellon University. The room and board at these institutions is also above $16,000 per year. All these are private institutions which makes them more expensive. However, good public institutions in Pennsylvania are also quite expensive when compared to the rest of the country. Some of the best public universities in the state include The Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Temple University and all of these universities charge above $19,000 for in-state tuition and fees. The most expensive is the University of Pittsburgh which charges an in-state tuition and fees of around $21,524.

The lowest in-state tuition Pennsylvania students can find is usually around $10,000 which is still higher than the national average of around $9,349. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is one of the more affordable public universities that takes $10,687 from in-state students and $22,261 from those who are from out of state.

The high cost of education in Pennsylvania only increases with the added living costs and education-related expenses. Students are unable to afford these costs without financial help and this is a big reason for a high total student debt in this state. Instead of loans, however, scholarships are a much better option to consider. They will not only help students get the financial help necessary to study within the state but it will be without increasing the debt burden for themselves and for the state too. Some good Pennsylvania scholarships include the Carlozzi Family Scholarship, the Faerie L. Angle Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the Jimmy Rane Foundation Scholarships.

Pennsylvania’s student population is around 647,469 in total. More than 500,000 of these students are undergraduates. Graduates only make up roughly 22% of the total enrollment. Moreover, close to 60% of the student population is dominated by the female population.

In terms of ethnicity, white students make up close to 60% of total enrollments. Black/ African Americans follow contributing around 68,066 students to the total student population in the state. Hispanics and Asians follow with 56,019 and 45,663 enrollments respectively. Native Americans and Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders make up the smallest percentage of the total, which falls even below 0.5%.

The total student debt in Pennsylvania is around $64.5 billion which is spread over more than 1,822,800 borrowers. Most of these borrowers, around 58%, are quite young with ages under 35. On average, a student owes about $35,385 in student loans which is approximately 22% higher than the national average. A large proportion of student borrowers owe more than $20,000 in loans with around 24% of all the borrowers having debt amounts between $20,000 to $40,000. Due to continuing hikes in educational costs, the debt is growing even further. Therefore, it is important to fund college education in Pennsylvania using other means like scholarships and grants.

How To Apply

The following are the main steps to following when applying for any scholarship:

1. Check Eligibility:

Scholarship websites are the easiest place to find most scholarship opportunities as they list all the available options under one roof. They also list scholarships according to state, college major, demographic, and grade level. You can also filter them according to the parameters provided to narrow down the list. This makes it easier to find scholarships that are best suited to you. Read through the eligibility requirements of the scholarships thoroughly to ensure that you qualify to save time. Some scholarships may be need-based while others may be based on merit.

2. Understand the Application Requirements:

It is important to understand what the scholarship demands for submitting a strong application.

Scholarship applications may require some or all of the following:

• Scholarship Application Form: Scholarship application is unique for each scholarship and is a must to be considered as an applicant. It usually asks for general information about the application like their name, date of birth, education, address, etc. It may also contain a few short answer questions relevant to the scholarship.
• Essay: Many scholarships require an essay along with the application form. Applicants can make themselves stand out via their essays. Therefore, you should take proper time and put in good effort when writing one. It’s important that your essay is original, and represents your personality and opinions.
• Letters of Recommendation: A letter of recommendation can be written by your personal or professional references. Some scholarships specifically demand letters of recommendation from teachers. The letter contains reasons for why the applicant is a deserving one. It assesses the applicant’s qualities, characteristics, strengths, capabilities, and academic performance, which kind of acts as a character certificate when applying for scholarships.
• Grade Transcripts: Many Pennsylvania scholarships, whether merit-based or need-based, usually require school transcripts that show an individual’s academic performance. You can get a copy through your school’s website or the office and attach it to the application form.
• Resume: A resume is where an applicant can highlight their skills and accomplishments. It does not have to have work experiences only but can also include mentions of any societies or extra-curricular activities that you have been a part of, and any special courses that you have completed that equipped you with a certain skill.
• Financial Information: Many need-based scholarships may ask you to provide financial information like your family income and any financial aid that you may have received.
• FAFSA: Some scholarships require applicants to apply for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for them. These are mainly need-based scholarships.
• Portfolio or Video Submission: There are a few scholarships that ask for video or portfolio submissions. This usually applies to art major scholarships as videos and portfolios are how an applicant can show their skills. Some scholarships do not have other requirements and are like contests where participants have to make a project and provide a picture or video of it to enter and win.
• School Verification: A school verification letter verifies which school the candidate is attending or has attended, the dates when they started and finished a program, and also includes a list of any certificates or degrees earned.
• Standardized Test Scores: Occasionally, you may need to provide a copy of your SAT or ACT scores. These are standardized test scores that most colleges and universities require for admission.

3. Order Scholarships According to Submission Deadlines:

It is important to arrange the scholarships according to the deadlines to ensure you take advantage of every opportunity. Timing is crucial and the earlier you apply the better it is. It is always wise to start early too because it may take time to complete all the submission requirements like writing essays and getting letters of recommendation in hand. Time should, especially, be invested in scholarships that require an essay as it takes a lot of time, planning, and effort to write a good one.

4. Proofread:

Once you have completed your application and the associated requirements, make sure to go through them all thoroughly at least once. You can also get a friend or family member to help you proofread for mistakes and errors.

5. Submit your Application:

After you have taken your time filling out the application form, writing the essay, collecting all the required documents, and proofreading – it is time to submit. Most applications now require online submissions and may take a few minutes only if you have everything ready to upload. Keep track of the status of your application process and keep in mind that it may take some time to receive an answer. You may send a follow-up email if you have not received any reply for some time.

Tips For Applying

• Start looking early: Don’t wait until the last minute to look for scholarships in Pennsylvania. Many organizations have deadlines that are months before the school year even starts, so it pays to begin your search as soon as possible. Make sure you research, apply, and submit all necessary documents on time to maximize your chances of winning scholarships.
• Network: Many of the scholarship opportunities come through networking and contacts, so make sure you take full advantage of your connections. Utilize family members, friends, contacts from any organizations or clubs you are part of, and even faculty members at your school to learn about different scholarship options in the area.
• Seek out local scholarships: Many organizations in Pennsylvania offer scholarships specifically for local students. Look up businesses and community groups in the area, as they often have scholarship programs available. You can also check with your school’s guidance office or college counseling department to see if they know of any opportunities.
• Read the requirements carefully: Once you have a narrowed-down list of scholarships, make sure to read the requirements carefully so you fully understand what is required.
• Do not rush when applying: Take your time and apply early. This allows sufficient time to gather all the required documents and also write a great essay if needed.
• Brainstorm for an essay and outline: If an essay is required, always start with brainstorming, then arrange your ideas and make an outline to follow. Unique, personalized, and lively essays have a better chance of qualifying than general and dull ones. Make sure that you understand the topic before starting.
• Customize application: Some students submit the same application, essays, and letters of recommendation to all organizations. It is better to thoroughly research the organization and what they are actually looking for before and customize your application and essays accordingly. You can also mention what the organization is looking for to people who are writing your recommendation letters so they can make it more relevant rather than general. However, it is important to be honest and avoid including things just for the sake of qualifying and getting a scholarship.
• Check and proofread: You may be surprised at the amount of grammatical mistakes and other errors that you find when rereading your application and essays. Those applicants who submit applications full of errors appear irresponsible and undetermined to scholarship providers.

There are many scholarships that high school students can choose from which can help them collect money for college early on and pay for education independently. Following are some of the best options in Pennsylvania:

1. Zakat Foundation Community Service Scholarship
2. Pennsylvania House of Representatives Scholarship
3. Melville Alexander Eberhardt Memorial Fund
4. Pennsylvania Engineering Foundation (PEF) Scholarship
5. Lou Manzione Scholarship
6. Road to Safety Scholarship
7. Evans Scholars Program
8. Jimmy Rane Foundation Scholarships

Undergraduates in any year of their degree including freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior year can apply for the following scholarships.

1. PFDW Memorial Scholarship
2. Alliance Medical Education Scholarship Fund (AMES)
3. Fran Ward Women in Arboriculture Scholarship Program
4. Horace M. Thayer Scholarship Program
5. Pennsylvania Land Surveyors’ Foundation Scholarship
6. Endowment for South Asian Students of Indian Descent (ESASID) Scholarship Fund
7. Foundation Education Award Scholarship
8. Pennsylvania Society of Tax & Accounting Professionals’ Scholarship
9. ASHRAE Region III Setty Family Foundation Scholarship
10. Carlozzi Family Scholarship
11. Exelon HBCU Corporate Scholars Program

Graduate students have the following scholarship options to consider. These scholarships can help graduates pay for their education without taking help from loans.

1. NYWICI Scholarship
2. ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program
3. Faerie L. Angle Memorial Scholarship Fund
4. Charles “Chick” Roberts Scholarship
5. Pennsylvania Psychological Foundation’s Student Education Awards

Students becoming teachers can apply for any non-major-specific scholarship like those suggested below.

1. Pennsylvania House of Representatives Scholarship
2. Melville Alexander Eberhardt Memorial Fund
3. Study.com November Scholarships

Nursing students in Pennsylvania can apply for the scholarships listed below. These are not specific to any major and students from all degrees are welcome to apply.

1. Jimmy Rane Foundation Scholarships
2. Lou Manzione Scholarship
3. Evans Scholars Program

Pennsylvania has many options for women-specific scholarships for its more than 370,000 female student population. Following are some of the best options to consider.

1. PFDW Memorial Scholarship
2. NYWICI Scholarship
3. Fran Ward Women in Arboriculture Scholarship Program
4. Carlozzi Family Scholarship
5. Society of Women Engineers – Lehigh Valley Professional Section Scholarship Program
6. Interpublic Group Scholarship

Many universities and colleges in Pennsylvania offer merit-based scholarships to their students. These scholarships are based on the academic achievement of the new incoming students and students can generally find the relevant information from their university’s financial aid or student office. Some examples of universities offering merit-based scholarships include Lehigh University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Lincoln University.

Lehigh University has scholarships for students that are solely merit-based. They consider academic numbers as well as what the student contributes outside the classroom and also consider their recommendations and personal essays. Their Alice P. Gast STEM Scholarship requires a grade point average of 3.0 and provides $12,500 annually for tuition and research-related activities in STEM fields. They also have a renewable Dean’s Scholarship that awards $15,000 yearly which also requires a minimum of 3.0 GPA. Their Soaring Together Scholarship Program is another program that covers full tuition and is also based on merit.

The University of Pittsburgh is another highly-ranked institution in Pennsylvania offering various scholarships based on a combination of outstanding academic achievement and other holistic factors. Their Chancellor’s Scholarship is the university’s most prestigious award that is awarded based on academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and leadership roles. It covers full tuition, mandatory fees, and average room and board plan, and guarantees Frederick Honors College housing. Their University Scholarships are the most common scholarships primarily based on students’ high school performance and they range from $2,000 per year to $20,000 per year. They also have International Freshmen Scholarships awarding a maximum of $10,000 to deserving students.

Lincoln University offers renewable Freshmen Merit Scholarships including Achieve the Dream Award, Liberated Lion’s Leadership Award, Dean’s Award, and Provost’s Award. These awards range from $5,000 to $14,000 and require a minimum GPA of 3.0. They also have a President’s Award for students with 3.75+ GPA and it covers full tuition, fees, and room and board at the campus. They also have merit-based scholarships for international students requiring a cumulative GPA of 3.30, and minimum test scores of 1020 SAT or 20 ACT.

Students can find a plethora of scholarships on websites like Scholaroo which lists more than 30 Pennsylvania scholarships for students pursuing higher education within the state. The filters provided on these websites can be used to narrow down the search to relevant scholarships. There are many other resources that students can get help from including government and private organizations and local churches.

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, or PHEAA, is one of the popular places where students can have scholarship opportunities for their post-secondary school qualifications. Their Ready to Succeed Scholarship (RTSS) Program is a well-known need-based program that awards up to $2,500 for full-time and $1,250 for part-time students and the minimum award is $500. Students can find more financial aid options on their website. PAsmart is another public organization working for the betterment of PA residents.

The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, TFEC, are tax-exempt public charity serving thousands of people and helping them improve their quality of life. They partner with donors willing to donate money to support the goals of people within the local communities. These donations are also used to support the scholarship programs offered by the organization. They offer various awards to current high school seniors and also to those who are in college or pursuing graduate degrees. They also have scholarship options for those enrolled in trade or technical schools. Some of their undergraduate and graduate programs include the Beistle Company Scholarship, Bruce Mangione Fund, David M. Kleppinger Family Scholarship Fund, Education Matters – The J.M. Heberlig/B.J. Helterbran Scholarship Fund, and Faerie L. Angle Memorial Scholarship Fund. There are many more to choose from with varying award amounts.

The Philadelphia Foundation is another charitable organization offering scholarships to students within the community. They work with donors to establish philanthropic funds to improve the quality of life in the region. Every year they disburse 50 scholarship funds to students in K-12 schools, community colleges, top universities, graduate schools, and institutions that specialize in training artists, nurses, chefs, and musicians.

The PA State Grant Program is the main grant offered to students who are PA residents. Its eligibility is determined by filing a FAFSA as the grant is solely need-based. Along with FAFSA, students are required to submit the PA State Grant Form. The deadline for the grant varies for first-time applicants, renewal applicants, and summer-term applicants. However, those students who miss the deadline can still apply for a chance to qualify for any funding that is left.