Navigating Scholarships at Penn State Abington: A Comprehensive Guide
Penn State Abington attracts a diverse pool of talented students, and while the university strives to support as many deserving individuals as possible, scholarship funds remain competitive and limited. Scholarships are generally awarded based on a student's merit, financial need, or a combination of both, as defined by the specific scholarship program. Upon admission, students are automatically reviewed for scholarship eligibility, eliminating the need for a separate application for many university-wide scholarships. This article will provide a detailed overview of the various scholarship opportunities available at Penn State Abington, including eligibility requirements, application processes, and other essential information to help students navigate the financial aid landscape.
University-Wide Scholarships
Penn State Abington automatically reviews admitted students for various university-wide scholarships.
Discover Penn State Award
This scholarship recognizes students with high scholastic achievements. It is renewable for up to four years at Abington.
Academic Achievement Scholarship
This scholarship is designed for students demonstrating high scholastic achievements and is renewable for up to four years at Penn State Abington.
Abington-Specific Scholarships
These scholarships are specifically for students attending or planning to attend Penn State Abington.
Read also: Understanding Penn State Requirements
Penn State Abington Endowed Scholarships
These scholarships typically range from $500 to $4,000.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a full-time or part-time Penn State Abington student pursuing their first bachelor's degree in the 2026-2027 academic year.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA is recommended.
- Completion of the 2026-27 FAFSA is also recommended.
An application is required for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Abington Township Scholarship
This scholarship provides $5,000 to eligible students.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a resident of Abington Township for at least one year prior to application.
- Must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at least half-time (6 credits per semester).
- A minimum 2.5 high school GPA for incoming students or a 2.5 minimum college GPA for transfer or current students is required.
- Preference is given to students with demonstrated financial need as indicated on the FAFSA.
An application is required.
Abington Senior High School Scholarship
This scholarship awards $5,000 to eligible students.
Read also: A Look at Penn State's Enrollment Numbers
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a resident in the Abington School District for at least one year prior to application.
- Must be a graduate or pending graduate of Abington Senior High School.
- Must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at least half-time (6 credits per semester).
- Must demonstrate financial need as indicated on the FAFSA.
- Must be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
An application is required.
Adult Learner Scholarship
These scholarships are 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).
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Age 24 or older
- Active-duty military or veteran
- Have a spouse and/or dependents
Additional Considerations:
- These scholarships are available to first-time and returning adult learners.
- Applicants must submit the 2026-27 FAFSA if they are a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher is required.
- Applicants must have completed 60 or more credits.
- Penn State World Campus students are not eligible for these scholarships.
2026-27 Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation Scholarship
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must have two or fewer semesters to complete their first bachelor's degree requirements and 30 or fewer credits remaining.
- Must have a cumulative minimum 2.0 GPA.
- Must be experiencing an unexpected hardship that is complicating degree completion.
- Must have exhausted all sources of federal and state aid.
Other Penn State Scholarships
Penn State offers a variety of other scholarships that students at the Abington campus may be eligible for.
RaiseMe Scholarship
Students can earn a RaiseMe scholarship from Penn State for their high school accomplishments and activities.
Study Abroad Scholarships
These scholarships support students who wish to study abroad as part of their Penn State education.
Read also: Penn State Admission: Average ACT
Summer Success Scholarship
The Summer Success Scholarship helps 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. The scholarship is available to students at all Penn State campuses and provides $2,000 toward their summer tuition.
PTK Scholarships
PTK Scholarships are available to students who have been members of Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society of the Two-Year College, and have a minimum 3.5 GPA (as calculated by Penn State and including any other institutions a PTK member has attended). PTK Scholarships are renewed for Penn State students maintaining a 3.3 GPA. Part-time students (with a minimum of six credits) are eligible for one half the scholarship amount. To be considered for the PTK Scholarship, provide a photocopy of your PTK membership certificate to the Penn State Abington Admissions Office.
Letter of Intent Scholarships
Letter of Intent Scholarships are available to students who have completed an Associate Degree from Bucks or Montgomery Community College (or Mercer Community College in the Business degree) with a 3.2 GPA (as calculated by Penn State, based on all colleges the student has attended), and who have signed the Letter of Intent prior to their earning 30 or more credits at all institutions they have attended. Letter of Intent students are eligible to be considered for an application fee waiver. To request the fee waiver, students should contact the Penn State Abington Admissions Office prior to submitting the online application.
Steve A. Garban Grant-in-aid For Children of Penn State Technical Service or Staff Employees
This grant-in-aid, awarded to one new first-year student, is intended to assist with room and board charges for two years, provided the student continues full-time enrollment at Penn State or Penn College, incurs on-campus room and board charges, and demonstrates academic success.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a child of a full-time Penn State or Penn College technical service or staff employee
- Must be a first-year, full-time student at any Penn State campus or at the Pennsylvania College of Technology
- Must have demonstrated leadership and humanitarian qualities through extracurricular activities during high school
- Must have achieved or show promise of achieving academic success
- Must be living at a Penn State location that offers on campus housing - campus location with housing are as follows: Penn State Abington, Penn State Altoona, Penn State Beaver, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Erie, Penn State Greater Allegheny, Penn State Harrisburg, Penn State Hazelton, Penn College, Penn State Schuylkill, and Penn State University Park
Award amount varies based on on-campus room and board charges with two awards given annually. The award recipient will be selected by the Office of Student Aid Scholarship Committee and announced in May. All applicants will be notified.
Henrietta M. Fisher Memorial Honor Scholarship Fund
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a first-year, Penn State University Park baccalaureate degree student
- Must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Must be a Dauphin County resident (Steelton-Highspire High School graduates preferred)
- May be pursuing any college major (Engineering, Earth & Mineral Science, Science, and Liberal Arts majors preferred)
- Must demonstrate leadership and patriotism (ROTC students preferred)
Scholarships are awarded for one year unless enrolled in a Penn State ROTC program.
Application and Contact Information
To be considered, please submit a letter that includes all of the following:
- Student Name
- Student Penn State ID Number
- A personal essay of no more than two typewritten pages that illustrates leadership skills, patriotism, career aspirations, and academic merit.
The award recipient will be selected by the Office of Student Aid Scholarship Committee and announced in May. All applicants will be notified.
Laurel Haven Endowment Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be enrolled in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management in the College of Agricultural Sciences (first recipient preference) or enrolled in the College of Education with a major in elementary or secondary education and an interest in environmental education or enrolled in the College of Agricultural Sciences with an option in Environmental Sciences (second recipient preference)
- Must be full-time undergraduate or graduate student for Fall/Spring 2026-27
- Must be engaged in or previously engaged in, or still interested in, conservation education
Award amount varies with one award given annually. The award recipient will be selected by the Office of Student Aid Scholarship Committee and announced in May. All applicants will be notified.
Employees of Consolidated Freightways Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a child or grandchild of a former Consolidated Freightways employee
- Must be enrolled at Penn State Harrisburg or Penn State York
- Must be an outstanding undergraduate
- Must demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Award amounts vary with two awards given annually.
Application and Contact Information
To be considered, send verification of student's relationship to the former Consolidated Freightways employee, with a letter of application that identifies the Penn State student by name, Penn State ID, and campus of enrollment. The former employee's pension plan administrators should be able to provide verification of employment. If pension plan verification is not available, an applicant must submit a notarized statement explaining the student's relationship to the former Consolidated Freightways employee.
The award recipient will be selected by the Office of Student Aid Scholarship Committee and announced in May. All applicants will be notified.
Andrew James Bartels Memorial Scholarship
The Andrew James Bartels Memorial Scholarship was established by William M. Bartels to honor and recognize outstanding achievements by undergraduate students who have achieved Star, Life or Eagle rank in the Boy Scouts of America.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a full-time undergraduate student who is enrolled or planning to enroll at any Penn State campus
- Must have achieved or demonstrated academic merit
- Must have achieved Star, Life or Eagle rank in the Boy Scouts of America
Award amounts vary with two awards given annually. The award recipient will be selected by the Office of Student Aid Scholarship Committee and announced in May. All applicants will be notified.
Richard J. and Dolores Bush Scuderi Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be an undergraduate or graduate student enrolling at any Penn State campus
- Must demonstrate superior academic success
- Must demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Must be in good standing as determined by the Office of Judicial Affairs
- Preference for first generation students (i.e., first one in the family to attend college)
Application and Contact Information
To be considered, please submit the following:
- Student's Name
- Student's Penn State ID Number or Penn College ID Number
- A personal essay of no more than two typewritten pages that provides examples of the student's academic success and demonstrated knowledge of Italian history, culture or language; and/or who have completed coursework in Italian studies; and/or who have made a commitment to enhance Italian culture
Award amount varies with one award given annually. The award recipient will be selected by the Office of Student Aid Scholarship Committee and announced in May. All applicants will be notified.
Dolores Bush Scuderi and Richard J. Scuderi Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be an undergraduate or graduate student enrolling at any Penn State campus
- Must demonstrate superior academic success
- Must demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Must be in good standing as determined by the Office of Judicial Affairs
- Preference for first generation students (i.e., first one in the family to attend college)
Application and Contact Information
To be considered, students must submit a letter that includes the following:
- Student's Name
- Student's Penn State ID Number or Penn College ID Number
- A personal essay of no more than two typewritten pages that provides examples of the student's academic success and demonstrated knowledge of Polish history, culture or language; and/or who have completed coursework in Polish studies; and/or who have made a commitment to enhance Polish culture.
The award recipient will be selected by the Office of Student Aid Scholarship Committee and announced in May. All applicants will be notified.
The David Schwebel Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a child of an active, full-time employee of the Schwebel Baking Company or its subsidiaries and divisions who has been employed for at least two years
- Must be an undergraduate enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State
- Must have achieved or demonstrated academic merit
- Must demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- First preference is given to eligible first-year students
Award amounts vary with one or two awards given annually.
Application and Contact Information
Applications are available by contacting:
Human ResourcesSchwebel Baking CompanyP.O. Box 6013Youngstown, OH 44501-6018
Application Deadline: Applications should be returned to Kym McGivern at the Schwebel Baking Company before or by May 1, 2026.
All applicants will be notified. The award recipient will be selected by the Office of Student Aid Scholarship Committee and announced after all eligibility requirements have been verified.
Frank A. Sinon Scholarship at Penn State
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be an undergraduate student enrolling at Penn State, University Park who has graduated from Austin Area High School in Austin, PA
- Must demonstrate academic success
- Must demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA
Award amount varies with one award given annually and up to 8 semesters. The award recipient will be selected by the Office of Student Aid Scholarship Committee and announced in September. All applicants will be notified.
Creating a Scholarship at Penn State Abington
Donors can create a non-endowed (annually funded) or endowed scholarship fund at Penn State Abington. An annually funded scholarship has an immediate impact for students as it is awarded to student recipients as soon as possible after the gift is given.
Annually Funded Scholarships
These are dollars in, dollars out: The donor gives $2,500 per year, and the student receives $2,500 annually. Annually funded scholarships can be named after the donor or someone the donor wishes to honor.
- Minimum Gift: Annually funded scholarships may be created with a minimum gift of $12,500, which may be paid over five years in equal installments of $2,500, if desired.
- Preferences: Donors who create a named annually funded scholarship may specify one preference such as for academic merit.
- Termination: At the end of the pledge period, or after all funds have been distributed to students, the scholarship is terminated. Donors may renew their scholarships after their initial pledge is complete, and they may also create scholarships larger than the $12,500 minimum.
Endowed Scholarships
Endowed scholarships allow alumni, donors, and friends to create a lasting, permanent legacy at Penn State Abington. An endowed scholarship can be created by a donor to recognize academic achievement and/or demonstrated financial need, and a donor may include some preferences.
- Minimum Gift: The minimum is $50,000, which may be paid in annual pledge payments of $10,000.
- Renaissance Fund: The Renaissance Fund offers Penn State’s alumni and friends the most affordable means of establishing an endowed scholarship at the University. A Renaissance Fund Scholarship may be created with a gift of $30,000, payable in up to five years. Currently, an endowment at this level will allow the Renaissance Fund to award approximately $2,000 per year to one recipient.
Abington General Scholarship Fund
Gifts of $5.00 or more are pooled into the Abington General Scholarship Fund and are leveraged for students with financial need documented by a completed FAFSA form. Financial need may not be considered for an award. Unlike scholarships, awards cannot include preferences beyond the one awarding criteria. For example, an award could be given to a student who excels in their major, but not be given to a student based on their geographic area or financial need.
External Scholarship Opportunities
In addition to Penn State Abington's internal scholarships, students can explore external scholarship opportunities from various organizations.
- The Astronaut Scholarship in Science and Technology: This scholarship is open to students majoring in engineering, natural science, applied science, or mathematics. You must attend one of the participating educational institutions to be considered for this award. citizenship is also a requirement.
- The ACS-Hach Land Grant Undergraduate Scholarship: This scholarship is available to full - time students majoring in chemistry.
- The Next Generation Scholarship: This scholarship is available to full - time junior and senior students who are pursuing a course of study or concentration relevant to retail.
- Dean's Scholarship: This scholarship is open to students attending Penn State University, Abington. You must be an incoming freshman with a minimum 2000 on your SAT and at least a 3.8 GPA to be eligible for this award.
- The Hallowell Scholarship: This scholarship is available to incoming freshman students at Pennsylvania State University, Abington. You must have a minimum 3.65 GPA and a minimum 1800 SAT score to be eligible for this award.
- Gerald P. Kessler Scholarship: This scholarship is available to students at Penn State, Abington.
- Rick Arkans Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is available to students at Pennsylvania State University, Abington.
- Kevin Heenan Scholarship: This scholarship is open to students attending Pennsylvania State University, Abington. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need to be eligible for this award.
- The Brandeis Scholarship: This scholarship is available to junior and senior students at Pennsylvania State University, Abington.
- Abby Sutherland Scholarship: This scholarship is open to first- year students attending Penn State University, Abington.
- Annual award for an incoming freshman student attending Marywood University in Pennsylvania. Due date and award amount varies.
- Scholarship for undergraduate students enrolled full-time at Saint Francis University. Students must reside in the local area, demonstrate academic achievement and financial need. Deadlines and award amounts may vary. Renewable.
- Marie H. Scholarship for graduate students attending Drexel University who are enrolled in the Information Science and Technology College. Selection is based on academic merit. Deadlines and award amounts may vary. Nonrenewable.
- Annual award for undergraduate student attending Carlow College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania full-time, majoring in Art Education. Preference given to student of at least one-quarter Irish descent. Applicant must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and a strong determination to enter the field of Art Education. Award amount varies.
- R.H. Scholarship for Allegany County, Maryland residents who are undergraduate students enrolled part- or full-time at Allegany College of Maryland. citizens/permanent residents. Number of awards may vary. An essay must be included with application packet. Nonrenewable; recipients may reapply.
- Scholarship for undergraduate student enrolled at Conemaugh Hospital School of Nursing. Deadlines and award amounts may vary.
- Albert J. Annual award for undergraduate senior attending Mansfield University in Pennsylvania, majoring in Elementary Education. Recipient should display the qualities of a successful educator as determined by the faculty. Award can be used to offset expenses for books and educational supplies. Non-renewable.
- Scholarship for incoming full-time freshmen accepted to Geneva College who have demonstrated athletic ability. Selection is based on ability and financial need. Due date, award amount and number of awards may vary. Renewable.
- Thomas C. Scholarship for full-time upperclassmen attending Elizabethtown College who are Biology majors. Selection based on academic achievement and potential. Deadlines and award amounts may vary.
- Samuel L. Scholarship for full-time undergraduate students attending Elizabethtown College who are preparing for the Christian ministry or missionary work. Selection based on academic achievement and potential. Deadlines and award amounts may vary.
Understanding College Costs and Financial Aid
Planning for college expenses is crucial. Understanding what a school costs is the first step in managing these costs. The "Cost of Attendance" represents the total amount of money the average student pays, before any financial aid, to attend a particular school. For Penn State Abington, the Cost of Attendance differs for in-state and out-of-state students, with out-of-state students facing higher tuition and fees.
Grants and Scholarships vs. Loans
Grants and scholarships are preferable to loans because they don’t have to be repaid. While the percentage of students receiving grant aid is helpful, the amount of grant aid received is more important. At Penn State Abington, fewer students receive aid, but those who do receive more than average.
Institutional Aid
It's important to consider how much financial aid comes directly from Penn State Abington (institutional aid). A school offering less institutional aid than others might simply cost less overall.
Student Loans
Minimizing student debt is essential. A high percentage of students taking out loans or borrowing large amounts is a red flag. At Penn State Abington, 69% of students take out federal loans, with an average annual federal loan amount of $5277. Additionally, 6% of students take out private loans, with an average loan amount of $10140.
Net Price and Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Net Price is the total cost of attending a school minus the total aid received. It represents the out-of-pocket expense. The US government calculates the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to determine how much a family can afford to pay. If the Net Price is higher than the EFC, the school will cost more than a family can typically afford.
Evaluating the Value of Penn State Abington
Consider a range of private and public schools when making college decisions. Attending a reputable college can pay off in the long run. While Penn State Abington may not be nationally recognized, it is considered a solid regional school. To determine its value, compare its net price to that of similar schools. If interested in Penn State Abington, explore other high-value schools that might offer a better return on investment, considering both in-state and out-of-state options.
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