College costs continue to climb. Here’s some scholarship options for PA students
The cost of college is rising in the U.S., and the average yearly tuition rate has reached $9,400 for public institutions and $36,700 for private, nonprofit colleges.
Whether you’re a high school senior or a current college student, there are scholarships available to help cover college costs for those who reside in Pennsylvania, as well as out-of-state students.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is due in Pennsylvania Aug. 1 for first-time applicants enrolled in a community college, business, trade or technical school, hospital school of nursing, designated Pennsylvania open-admission institution, or nontransferable two-year program. The FAFSA is due May 1 for all other applicants.
Institutions of higher education may have their own deadlines for financial aid.
An online assessment is available to estimate what federal aid may be available to you.
Here’s a list of scholarships with applications still open as of April 18.
Pennsylvania and Centre County scholarships
Pennsylvania State Grant
Pennsylvania State Grants are awarded based on financial need, and award amounts vary. Eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to:
High school graduate
Attend an approved postsecondary institution
Enrolled at least half-time
Pennsylvania resident
Application deadline: Free Application for Federal Student Aid must be completed by May 1.
Arize Federal Credit Union Scholarship
Amount: $3,000
Application deadline: April 22
Who qualifies:
Current high school seniors in one of the following districts: Bald Eagle, Bellefonte, Huntingdon, Juniata Valley, Mount Union, Penns Valley, Philipsburg-Osceola, Southern Huntingdon, State College, Tussey Mountain, Tyrone
Intend to enroll in a trade or technical school
What’s required:
Description of extracurricular and volunteer activities
Grades/GPA
Career goals
Financial hardship may be considered
Stream of Learning Scholarship Program
Amount: $5,000
Application deadline: April 30
Who qualifies:
Attend or pursue attendance at a two- or four-year college, university or technical school degree or certificate
Eligible fields of study: environmental science, biology, engineering, chemistry or Department of Environmental Protection-certified water/wastewater operations programs
Attend a Pennsylvania college, university or technical school in the 2022-23 academic year and maintain a permanent residence in Pennsylvania
What’s required:
Letter of recommendation
One-page essay describing your career interests and how they benefit the water/wastewater industry
Official high school transcript
Proof of residence in Pennsylvania
John Lepping Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Up to $5,000
Application deadline: May 1
Who qualifies:
Permanent resident of Pennsylvania, New York or New Jersey
Physical or psychological disability
What’s required:
Demonstration of academic achievement
Proof of disability with letter of confirmation from physician (This is required after award notification and is not to be submitted with the application.)
Acceptance to institution of higher education
Pennsylvania Engineering Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Application deadline: May 31
Who qualifies:
High school seniors entering college fall 2022
Attending a Pennsylvania Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology-accredited engineering program
Resident of Pennsylvania
What’s required:
Description of extracurricular activities, awards, employment, summer activities, etc.
A half- to one-page essay explaining what or who inspired you to pursue engineering
Certification of application by guidance counselor or principal
Scholarships open across the U.S.
North American Network Operators’ Group Scholarship Program
Amount: $10,000
Application deadline: 3 p.m. CDT May 18 (The sponsor reserves the right to close the program early when 50 applications have been received. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.)
Who qualifies:
Current post-secondary undergraduate or graduate student
Pursuing a degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, network engineering or telecommunications (for graduate students only)
Plan to enroll in at least six credits at an accredited two- or four-year college or university for the entire upcoming academic year
Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)
What’s required:
Current, complete transcript of grades
500-word statement describing how the scholarship money would impact your college career
One online recommendation form, which must be submitted on your behalf by 3 p.m. CDT May 21
Naviste’s Next Steminist Scholarship Program
Amount: $10,000
Application deadline: 3 p.m. CDT May 17
Who qualifies:
Identify as female
A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
25 years old or younger as of May 17
Minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00
High school senior/graduate or current undergraduate student enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in an undergraduate program at an accredited four-year college or university in the 2022-23 academic year
Eligible majors: computer science, computer engineering, computer hardware engineering, computer software engineering, electrical engineering, game and interactive media design, information systems, information technology, management information systems, systems engineering
What’s required:
Current, complete transcript of grades
60-second unlisted YouTube video describing your dream career in science, engineering, technology or mathematics field.
One online recommendation form, which must be submitted on your behalf by 3 p.m. CDT May 20
The Ralph Center Art Scholarship: Promoting Diversity in the Arts
Amount: $5,000
Application deadline: May 1
Who qualifies:
Applicants who are at least one of the following ethnicities: African American, Native American, Hispanic, Latino or Asian and Pacific Islander
U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Current high school senior, undergraduate or graduate student
Intends to be registered as a full-time student in the fall
Minimum GPA of 3.00
What’s required:
Current or most recent GPA
ACT or SAT score
Description of extracurricular activities, awards, sports, work-related efforts, etc.
Answers to scholarship questions, including top three core values, defining life moment, obstacles
Two- to three-minute video
Against The Grain Production Artistic Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Application deadline: May 31
Who qualifies:
High school senior, undergraduate or graduate student
Ethnicity must be at least 25% Asian American and/or Pacific Islander
Eligible majors: film, theater, fashion, photography, graphic design, dance, music, journalism, mass communications, etc.
Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
What’s required:
Demonstration of leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities
Transcript
Artistic portfolio
Resume
Letter of recommendation
Essay with 500 or fewer words
Lead with Languages Teacher Scholarship Program
Amount: $1,500 per academic year, renewable for three years after initial award
Application deadline: 5 p.m. EST May 27
Who qualifies:
High school seniors
Accepted and planning to attend an accredited U.S. postsecondary institution, leading to credentialing as a language educator
Have taken at least two years of the same language in high school, or present documentation of proficient results
GPA of 3.0/4.0
What’s required:
High school transcript
College acceptance letter
Personal essay of 200 or fewer words
Letter of recommendation from your language teacher in high school
A note: Scholarship requirements are not all-inclusive. Visit each scholarship’s website for full application information.
