Complete Penn State Scholarship

Program Parameters

• Maximum Award of up to $3,000 per student
• Scholarship is only available to students one time
• Awards may be used towards bill expenses (tuition and housing) and certain non-billable education expenses. Non-billable expenses can include: Off-campus housing, food or groceries, transportation expenses, textbooks or course materials.

All requested expenses must be clearly connected to the student’s ability to stay enrolled and complete their degree.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Complete Penn State Program, students must:

• Be a currently enrolled undergraduate student working towards their first associate or bachelor's degree
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (good academic standing)
• Be within 30 credits (two semesters) of their anticipated graduation
• Be experiencing an unexpected financial hardship that is affecting their ability to remain enrolled or graduate
• Have a current FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on file
• Meet with their academic advisor prior to submitting the application

Students may apply on their own behalf or be referred by a faculty or staff member.

What Qualifies as a Hardship

An eligible hardship is typically unexpected, time-sensitive, and outside the student’s control, resulting in a financial gap that threatens degree completion.

Examples include (but are not limited to):

• Sudden loss of income or employment (student or family)
• Housing insecurity or unexpected relocation costs
• Food insecurity or inability to meet basic living expenses
• Unanticipated medical, dental, or mental health expenses
• Family emergency or caregiving responsibilities
• Transportation issues affecting access to campus or required coursework
• Required course materials or technology costs not covered by financial aid

Hardships that are ongoing but recently intensified may also be considered if the impact is immediate and documented.

What is Not Considered a Hardship

The Complete Penn State Program is designed to address urgent, degree‑related financial barriers. As a result, certain situations or expenses do not qualify as a hardship for funding purposes. These include:

• Expenses not directly related to degree completion (including study abroad experiences)
• Common or routine budgetary shortfalls
• Tuition or fees beyond the current academic year
• Optional or discretionary expenses (such as entertainment, personal travel, or non‑required technology upgrades)
• Parking tickets, fines, or legal fees
• Credit card debt or personal loans unrelated to educational expenses
• Costs that are already fully covered by other financial aid or third‑party funding

If a student is unsure whether a situation qualifies as a hardship, they are encouraged to discuss their circumstances with their academic advisor before applying.

How to Request Funding

1. Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your situation and available resources.
2. Gather any relevant information and documentation that supports your request. Supporting documentation can include, but not limited to:
   • Bursar account statement
   • Lease or utility bill
   • Medical bill or insurance statement
   • Documentation of job loss or reduced income
   • Receipts or estimates for required educational expenses.

   Documentation helps reviewers understand the urgency and scope of the request. Applications without documentation may be denied or funded at a lower level.

3. Complete the CPSU Program application. Be prepared to provide a written explanation describing the hardship and its impact on degree completion.

Applications are reviewed by a college committee on a rolling basis. Funding decisions are based on eligibility, nature and impact of hardship, availability of funds, and demonstrated need.

Application

Application for the 2026/27 academic year will be available at the beginning of September.

Important Notes

• Funding is not guaranteed and is limited by available resources.
• Students may be contacted to provide additional information during the review process.
• Awards are intended to supplement, not replace, other financial aid and student support services.