20 Scholarships for Penn State Students to Apply For in 2023
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU)) has a campus located in State College, PA, and has several highly ranked programs, so if you find yourself among their first-year students in the coming academic year, you can be sure that your education is in good hands. The cost of this quality education can be a little staggering if you don’t have any financial aid yet have a financial need.
Best Penn State Scholarships to Apply to
Students can apply for many types of financial aid, including federal student aid (FAFSA). But some students may not know where to start to look for this aid. While the Office of Student Aid and related offices on campus can offer the free application for federal student aid, a scholarship program may be the way to go.
Scholarships are awarded to those who demonstrate a need for financial aid. While many students are considered for scholarships, some need them more than others. The following scholarship opportunities may help in the search for assistance.
Noah Yohannes Academic Scholarship
This scholarship program seeks to support low-income African American applicants in Pennsylvania with a history of self-improvement or beating the odds.
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline to apply: July 17, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: August 17, 2022
HRCap Next-Gen Leadership
This HRCap scholarship seeks to empower the next generation of multicultural students and leaders by awarding $5,000 to a group of applicants who embody integrity, diversity, and professionalism.
- Award amount: $5,000 (first place will get $1,500, second place will get $1,000, and third place winners will get $500)
- Deadline to apply: August 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: August 31, 2022
Michael Rudometkin Memorial Scholarship
In honor of Michael Rudometkin’s dedication to his community and helping those in need, this scholarship seeks to give $600 to a student earning a degree or certification and is also involved in their community.
- Amount: $600
- Deadline to apply: September 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: September 30, 2022
Michael J. Burns Military Children Scholarship
To honor the life of Michael J. Burns, this memorial scholarship aims to honor Michael J. Burns’ legacy of giving by awarding $1,000 to one student from a military family who needs financial assistance to pursue their educational goals.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline to apply: September 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: September 30, 2022
Small Seed Big Flower
Sometimes students need a little bit of help to reach their full potential. The Small Seed Big Flower Scholarship aims to support first-generation undergraduate students who need financial assistance by awarding one applicant $1,015.
- Award amount: $1,015
- Deadline to apply: November 15, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: December 15, 2022
A Dog Changed My Life Scholarship
This scholarship aims to honor furry friends and their owners by awarding one student $500 for their education.
- Amount: $500
- Deadline to apply: August 15, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: September 15, 2022
Cyrilla Olapeju Sanni Fund
Immigrants and the children of immigrants often face significant challenges such as the high cost of tuition and difficulty accessing education. To help students who will face these challenges, this scholarship seeks to give $500 to a student who migrated from Africa to the United States or is the child of a parent who migrated.
- Award amount: $1,000 ($500 per winner)
- Deadline to apply: September 12, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: October 12, 2022
Lisa Seidman Excellence in Writing
This scholarship seeks to honor Lisa Seidman and her work by supporting students following in her footsteps by pursuing careers in writing.
- Amount: $500
- Deadline to apply: September 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: October 1, 2022
Pride in Diversity Scholarship
The Pride in Diversity Scholarship seeks to give $2,500 to one deserving member of the LGBTQ+ community pursuing a STEM degree.
- Award amount: $2,500
- Deadline to apply: October 12, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: November 12, 2022
Keep Going Forward No Essay Opportunity
The Keep Going Forward Scholarship exists to support anyone moving on to somewhere or something new in life.
- Amount: $1,515
- Deadline to apply: October 30, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: October 30, 2022
Filipino-American Scholarship
To boost the representation of Filipinos in academia and the workforce, this scholarship will give $1,500 to a group of three Filipino-American students.
- Award amount: $1,500
- Deadline to apply: September 15, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: October 15, 2022
Mental Health Matters Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to celebrate students who have struggled with their mental health while also being leaders in their community.
- Award amount: $500
- Deadline to apply: September 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: September 30, 2022
Carl’s Music Matters Scholarship
Music can be a career and creative outlet for so many people. To encourage the next generation of musicians, this scholarship seeks to give $500 to a high school senior who wants to study and pursue a career in music.
- Award amount: $500
- Deadline to apply: February 21, 2023
- Date winner will be announced: March 21, 2023
Hulede Collegiate Golf Scholarship
Making the game of golf more accessible for underrepresented players can open doors both on and off the course. The Hulede Collegiate Golf Scholarship seeks to support student-athletes who excel in golf, community involvement, and extracurricular participation.
- Award amount: $2,600
- Deadline to apply: September 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: October 1, 2022
Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss
Dedicating to Cat Zingano’s perseverance in and out of the ring, this scholarship seeks to give $10,200 to a student who is fighting through the loss of a close family member, legal guardian, or loved one and requires financial assistance support for their education as they move forward.
- Award amount: $10,200
- Deadline to apply: March 17, 2023
- Date winner will be announced: April 12, 2023
Veterans’ Writing Group of San Diego Ernie Pyle
In honor of Ernie Pyle and the Veterans’ Writing Group, this program seeks to support military veterans and those who are active in the military pursue their education and covering their college expenses.
- Award amount: $2,000
- Deadline to apply: October 11, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: November 11, 2022
Pratibha Pandey Merit-Based Opportunity
This scholarship aims to support low-income students working on their time management skills to achieve academic success.
- Award amount: $2,000 ($1,000 to each winner)
- Deadline to apply: November 15, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: December 15, 2022
“A Courageous Spirit” No-Essay Opportunity
To encourage everyone to confront their fears and build more meaningful lives, this scholarship seeks to support a courageous and ambitious person who wants to grow.
- Award amount: $500
- Deadline to apply: October 31, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: November 30, 2022
Karl Baehr Entrepreneurs Scholarship
This scholarship, created in memory of Karl Baehr, seeks to support undergraduate student who has their own business or is planning to start one.
- Award amount: $500
- Deadline to apply: September 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: October 1, 2022
Show your Mettle – Women in STEM
To encourage the representation of female students in STEM and IT fields, this scholarship seeks to provide $1,500 to a female student pursuing a degree in one of these fields.
- Award amount: $1,500
- Deadline to apply: September 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: September 30, 2022
About Penn State Scholarships
Even though all of the students accepted to PSU are high achieving and exceptional students, the amount of tuition you will be expected to pay varies greatly depending on the campus you attend and if you’re an in or out-of-state student.
What are Penn State Scholarships?
They are financial awards that are given to those who attend PSU. These are usually only open to those who are enrolled in the university. Still, applicants can apply for outside opportunities that can be used for their school costs if they win.
What Qualifies as a Penn State Scholarship?
They are open to those enrolled at the university. The school can sponsor these smaller organizations or colleges within the university.
Types of Penn State Scholarships Available
There a many different types of scholarships that are available for applicants to apply for. If you are interested in more specific types to improve your chances, here’s a short list you can use.
Academic Merit-based
This specific scholarship type is awarded based solely on your proven academic ability. These can be decided on the applicant’s grade-point average (GPA), standardized test scores (ACT, SAT, AP exams, etc.), or other academic scores.
Major-based
Major-based opportunities are financial awards only available to applicants who have declared or intend to pursue a particular major.
Identity-based
This specific opportunity is for applicants who belong to a minority group. They help raise awareness and offer the same opportunities to everybody.
Athletic
Athletic opportunities are based on a student’s athletic ability, usually within a given sport. Often, coaches from interested schools will scout applicants performing well during their sport’s season and decide whether or not to make an offer.
Leadership merit-based
Leadership opportunities are given to applicants who display the qualities of a good leader in and out of the classroom.
How to Find Penn State Scholarships to Apply for?
Many websites are dedicated to collecting and showcasing opportunities to students in need.
Whether applicants are continuing or first-year students, there are plenty of awards for those on campus. Meeting with an academic advisor to discuss the different prizes available to apply for can lead to many opportunities.
The Office of Student Aid is also available for a news and information visit and information on programs for those in financial need.
Tips for Winning Penn State Scholarships
Many awards you may apply for will have some written component, whether a full-length essay or questions requiring an extended response. Be sure not to ramble on the application and stick to the topic.
Another way to increase your chances of winning is by applying for awards of smaller funds.
You can also increase your chances by applying for opportunities for a specific type of applicant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Penn State Scholarships
There’s a lot to learn about opportunities, and programs, how to search for them, and how to win them. If you still have questions, you might find the answer to yours below.
Are Penn State scholarships legit?
Yes, they are legit. However, it is possible to run into scams. If any opportunities ask for specific personal information, it is most likely a scam. Options like a scholarship program that comes up in your search online should be under the Penn State Federal School Code.
Some opportunities may be found on social media, but be wary of those not through legit organizations, like a school site.
How can I improve my chances of winning Penn State scholarships?
There are several things you can do to improve your chances of winning. These include searching for opportunities with smaller funds, applying for specific ones, meeting all the eligibility requirements, and trying your best.
How many Penn State scholarships can you get?
There is no limit to the number of applicants you can get, so you don’t have to limit yourself when applying. First-year and continuing students are eligible for any awarded opportunities to help them in their college careers. A quick search online can tell you how the university may handle your chance.
Our Penn State scholarships taxable income?
In general, they are not taxable income. They are to be used only for academic purposes, making them not taxable.
What’s the best way to apply for Penn State scholarships?
Applying online is one of the easiest ways, as you can use many at once, keep track of those you have already applied to, and see everything available. For more information, visit Penn State’s website for previous amounts awarded and a menu on what is available. Or, if you are on campus, the Office of Student Aid can also have applications.
