General Information

The Office of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the College of the Liberal Arts offers need-based, not merit based, scholarships for students with at least one Liberal Arts undergraduate major enrolled at Penn State University Park campus, including additional criteria under the Eligibility section. A single application serves for all general need-based scholarships offered through the Liberal Arts Office of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies.

While Liberal Arts Scholarships is committed to providing available support to as many eligible students as possible, undergraduate scholarships are not guaranteed upon submission of a scholarship application nor are they automatically renewed after the receipt of an initial award. Students must re-apply and await a decision regarding these scholarships for each year they remain eligible. Scholarship amounts vary from year to year depending on fund availability.

Returning and continuing undergraduate students at University Park campus: The priority application period for first consideration is January 1 to April 1 of the calendar year of desired fall enrollment. Priority applications for the 2023/24 academic year opens January 1, 2023. Non-priority applications, applications submitted after April 1, will be considered in the order they are received depending on fund availability. Applications received during the priority application period are made by June 1.

Incoming first-year undergraduate students new to Penn State University Park for fall 2023 must first request an application. The priority application period for first considertion is January 1 to January 26 of the calendar year of desired fall enrollment. Scholarship support for incoming first-year undergraduate students new to Penn State University Park for fall 2023 have been allocated. First-year students may still request an application for future consideration by sending a e-mail request for an application along with your 9-digit PSU Identification number to lascholarships@psu.edu to verify eligibility to recieve an application. Non-priority applications, applications submitted after January 26, will be considered in the order they are received depending on fund availability. Applications received during the priority application period are made by February 1.

Transfer students (from commonwealth campus or outside of Penn State): If your change of major and/or campus is not the College of the Liberal Arts at the University Park campus in LionPATH, you will not be eligible to apply directly. Please contact lascholarships@psu.edu for assistance.

Eligibility

While on a need-based scholarship, undergraduate students must meet the following requirements.

• Maintain at least a full-time course load at the University Park campus (12 or more credits per semester during the fall and spring only, summers not included).
• Declare a major or pre-major in the College of the Liberal Arts.
• Maintain a successful cumulative grade-point average (2.5 and higher).
• Maintain a demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Student Aid. Students should submit a FAFSA every year. Refer the Office of Student Aid website for yearly recommended submission dates.
• Continue to meet the specific requirements of the scholarship, which may include, but are not limited to, desire to pursue public, community, or government services; leadership; or outstanding academics.

Notification

Award recipients will be notified by email to a Penn State email address. If you do not receive a scholarship notification before the start of fall or spring enrollment, your application will remain on file for the academic year and may be considered if additional funds become available.

Disbursement

Normally one-half of the award is credited in the fall semester and one-half in the spring semester unless it is a one-semester award.

Other Sources

You can consult with your major department or other colleges (if you are a double major) regarding additional scholarships or award opportunities, keeping in mind they may have different application, eligibility criteria and awarding procedures. You can also apply for federal and state grants and loans, inquire about University scholarships through the Office of Student Aid, or visit Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring to learn about other opportunities at Penn State.

Forms to Prepare to Submit

1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required and must be filed with the Office of Student Aid for consideration of a need-based scholarship every year. If you do not have FAFSA on file with a demonstrated financial need, you will not be considered for a scholarship.
2. Personal statement (maximum of 1,000 words). This statement is a way for the selection committee to learn more about you. Please include academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community involvement, leadership examples, career goals, and things that set you apart from others.
3. A resume. Accepted formats only: MS Word (.doc or .docx), or Adobe PDF (.pdf) files.
4. Review the correctness and completeness of information retrieved from LionPATH. Any information which is not editable by you in this system must be updated in LionPATH.
5. Upon the readiness of items 1 through 4, click on the Scholarship Application for Returning and Continuing Students link to apply. 

Using the link below, you can apply for spring 2023 scholarship considerations and/or apply as a *priority applicant for the 2023/24 academic year beginning January 1, 2023.

 Scholarship Application for Returning and Continuing Students

*Priority applications are accepted January 1 to April 1, 2023.

Incoming first-year students must request an application to lascholarships@psu.edu and provide your 9-digit PSU ID number.

If you have questions about these procedures, or if you wish to withdraw or make changes to your application, please send a brief email to lascholarships@psu.edu.