Does Penn State offer automatic scholarships?

Yes. The Provost Award is an automatic merit-based scholarship for many out-of-state students, with award amounts based on academic strength.

What is the Schreyer Honors College?

It’s Penn State’s honors college, offering a highly selective program with priority registration, research funding, and access to unique scholarships.

Can you get a full ride at Penn State?

Full-ride scholarships are rare but possible through the Schreyer Honors College or specialized donor-funded awards. Most aid is partial.

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🎓 Penn State Scholarships

📍 Looking for state grants too? Check out Pennsylvania State Aid Programs

Penn State—especially the University Park campus—is one of the most recognized public universities in the country. But for many families, the big question isn’t prestige… it’s price. Between limited automatic merit aid and competitive deadlines, you’ll need a game plan to make it affordable.

This guide breaks down the real costs, the scholarship types, who gets what, and what parents need to watch out for—whether you’re in-state or coming from out-of-state.

📊 Cost of Attendance (2025–26)

These are the estimated costs for a full-time first-year student at Penn State’s University Park campus. Room and board and aid packages may vary by year.

Expense	In‑State	Out‑of‑State
Tuition & Fees	$21,098	$43,490
Room & Board	$13,030	$13,030
Books & Supplies	$1,840	$1,840
Personal, Transportation, Misc.	$3,465	$3,465
💵 Total Estimated Cost	$39,433	$61,825

🎯 Heads Up for Out-of-State Families: Penn State does not offer formal tuition waivers based on residency or academics. A few competitive scholarships—like the Provost’s Award or Schreyer Honors funding—may help reduce the cost for high-achieving out-of-state students, but these are limited and not guaranteed.

📉 Net Price (What Families Actually Pay)
After grants and scholarships, the average net price for in-state undergrad students is around $27,450/year; for out-of-state it’s typically closer to $32,000–$35,000/year, depending on merit aid.

Based on about 49% of students receiving grant aid averaging between $11K–$15K/year in institutional, state or federal support.

📋 Automatic Scholarships

Penn State does not offer clear-cut automatic scholarships based solely on GPA or test scores. Most merit aid is either limited, competitive, or determined by academic college. That said, a few awards are known to be sent out automatically with admission—especially for out-of-state students with strong academics.

💡 Good to Know: Penn State’s main merit review happens automatically when your son or daughter applies by the Early Action deadline (Nov 1). You don’t need to fill out a separate scholarship form for general university merit.

Scholarship Name	Estimated Amount	Eligibility	Stackable?	Renewable?	Separate App?
Provost’s Award	$5,000–$12,000/year	Out-of-state students with a high GPA (typically 3.8+) and 28+ ACT (or SAT equivalent); reviewed automatically with Early Action application	✅	✅ (4 years)	❌
Academic College Awards	Varies	Depends on intended major or campus	✅	Varies	❌ (included with admission)

If your kid is applying to a specific academic college (like Engineering or Business), they may be reviewed for additional automatic awards tied to that department—but there’s no public chart or score cutoff to reference.

🎓 What Does “Intended Major” Actually Mean When It Comes To Scholarships??
When your kid applies to Penn State, they’ll be asked to choose an intended major—even if they’re not 100% sure yet. That choice puts them into a specific academic college, like Engineering or Business, which can affect their scholarship chances.

For example, a student who selects Biomedical Engineering will be reviewed by the College of Engineering for possible department-funded awards. Another student who chooses Finance would fall under the Smeal College of Business, which may offer its own aid packages.

Even if the scholarships aren’t listed publicly, the major your son or daughter selects on their application can open different doors—especially for early aid decisions.

❓ Automatic Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to apply separately for the Provost’s Award?

No. Students are automatically reviewed for the Provost’s Award when they apply to Penn State by the Early Action deadline (Nov 1). There’s no separate application—it’s based on their admissions file.

Is the Provost’s Award guaranteed if my kid has a 3.8 GPA and 28 ACT?

No, it’s not guaranteed. Those numbers put your child in the range to be considered, but Penn State doesn’t publish exact cutoffs. They review GPA, test scores, class rank, intended major, and other application factors holistically.

Does the major my son or daughter picks affect their scholarships?

Yes. Penn State offers some scholarships through specific academic colleges (like Engineering or Business). Choosing a particular major puts your child in that department’s scholarship pool—even if those awards aren’t publicly listed.

Can automatic scholarships be stacked with other aid?

Usually yes, especially if the aid is from different sources (e.g., one from the university and one from the state). But always read the fine print. Some scholarships will reduce need-based aid or have caps on stackability.

🧠 Superscore Strategy Tip:
If your kid’s ACT or SAT score is close to the next scholarship level, don’t settle. Penn State superscores—meaning they’ll take the best section scores across multiple test dates. Even a few points can make the difference between a $5,000 award and a $12,000 one. It’s one of the easiest ways to boost your financial aid without touching your bank account.

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

These scholarships are not automatic—you’ll need to apply by early deadlines, sometimes submit extra materials, and often have a high academic profile. Most are awarded through the Office of Student Aid, specific academic colleges, or through donor-funded opportunities for incoming freshmen.

📝 Important: If your kid is aiming for serious merit aid, the Early Action deadline (Nov 1) is critical. Most competitive scholarships consider only students who apply early—especially for high-dollar awards like Schreyer Honors or academic college scholarships.

Scholarship Name	Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Wins?
Schreyer Honors College Scholarships	$5,000–$10,000/year	Must apply and be admitted to Schreyer Honors	✅	✅ (4 years)	Top 5% of class, 1400+ SAT or 31+ ACT, strong essays
Academic College Scholarships	Varies	Based on major and academic strength	❌ (included with admission)	Varies	Students entering Engineering, Business, Health, etc. with top 10% GPAs
Discover Penn State Award	$1,000–$6,000/year	Out-of-state students from underrepresented regions	❌	✅ (4 years)	Students who are geographically diverse and academically solid
Trustee & President’s Scholarships	Up to $10,000/year	Top applicants with financial need (FAFSA required)	❌	✅	Students with high GPA/test scores and financial need

❓ Competitive Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Schreyer Honors College required to get big scholarships?

No, but it definitely helps. Schreyer students are eligible for some of the highest-value awards, but other large scholarships (like Trustee or President’s Scholarships) are open to all top applicants—even those not in the Honors College.

How do I increase my kid’s chances for these awards?

Apply by the Early Action deadline (Nov 1), include test scores if they’re strong, and be sure to submit the FAFSA early—even for merit aid. Also, make sure your child picks a major (not undecided) so they can be reviewed by a specific academic college for department-level scholarships.

Does financial need matter for competitive scholarships?

Yes, for some. The Trustee and President’s Scholarships consider both merit and financial need, so submitting the FAFSA is required. Other awards—like those tied to major or geography—are based purely on academic and demographic fit.

What if we don’t hear anything about scholarships in the admission letter?

It’s common for Penn State to release scholarships on a rolling basis. Some families hear right away; others don’t get notified until spring. Check LionPATH (the student portal) regularly—and be sure to follow up if your kid’s profile seems competitive but nothing shows up.

🎖️ Schreyer Honors College

Schreyer is Penn State’s honors college. It’s not something you’re automatically placed into—you have to apply for it separately. But it’s one of the best ways to lower the cost and get extra opportunities if your kid is a top academic performer.

🌟 What It Actually Is:
Schreyer is like a college-within-a-college. It gives your kid access to priority class registration, research opportunities, smaller classes, and big scholarships (some worth up to $10,000/year). It can also help a lot when it comes to grad school or competitive careers.

Your child needs to apply separately to be considered—this is not by invitation. They’ll need to submit:

Two essays
A résumé or activity list
Two letters of recommendation

Schreyer is looking for more than just grades. They want kids who are curious, motivated, involved in their school or community, and who can think deeply and write well. A student with a 31+ ACT (or 1400+ SAT), top 5% of their class, and strong leadership or service has a solid shot.

Applying early matters. The deadline is November 1 if your child wants full consideration for admission and the scholarships tied to it.

💰 Honors-Specific Scholarships

These are only available to students who get into Schreyer. No separate scholarship application is required—just apply to the Honors College itself.

Scholarship Name	Amount	Eligibility	Renewable?
Academic Excellence Scholarship	$5,000/year	All Schreyer students (automatically awarded)	✅ (4 years)
Donor-Funded Honors Scholarships	Up to $10,000/year	Top Schreyer applicants; reviewed automatically	✅
Study Abroad Awards	$1,000–$3,000	Schreyer students who study abroad	❌ (one-time)

❓ Schreyer Honors: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Schreyer Honors by invitation only?

No. Your son or daughter has to apply separately—it’s not something they get invited to automatically. The application includes two essays, a résumé or activity list, and two recommendation letters. It’s due by November 1 for full scholarship consideration.

What kind of student actually gets into Schreyer?

Most accepted students are in the top 5% of their class and have a 1400–1500 SAT or 31–34 ACT. But Schreyer looks beyond the numbers. They care about writing, leadership, community service, and curiosity. A student who’s well-rounded and thoughtful can stand out—even without perfect scores.

Do Schreyer students get automatic scholarships?

Yes. Every student admitted to Schreyer receives the $5,000 Academic Excellence Scholarship. Many also get donor-funded scholarships worth up to $10,000 per year. No extra application is needed beyond the Schreyer one.

Is Schreyer worth it for out-of-state families?

Yes—especially if your kid gets one of the bigger scholarships. Penn State doesn’t offer many out-of-state tuition breaks, so Schreyer can be one of the only ways to bring the price down significantly while adding academic value.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These scholarships don’t show up on the main financial aid page—but they’re real, and they can add thousands to your aid package. Most don’t require a separate application. They’re awarded automatically (or quietly) based on major, location, music involvement, or family background.

🟢 Parent Tip: Encourage your son or daughter to choose a major, mention their leadership roles, and list “first-generation” on their application. These small details often trigger department- or donor-funded scholarships automatically—no extra forms required.

Scholarship Name	Amount	Who It’s For	Stackable?
Change of Campus Award	Up to $6,000/year	Students who start at a regional Penn State campus and transfer to University Park	✅
RaiseMe Micro-Scholarships	Up to $1,000 total	Students who logged high school achievements on RaiseMe before applying	✅
Educational Equity Awards	Varies	First-gen, underrepresented, or high-need students (no separate app)	✅
Departmental / College-Based Awards	$1,000–$5,000/year	Automatically reviewed based on intended major (e.g., Engineering, Ag, Business)	✅
Music & Blue Band Scholarships	$500–$1,500/year	Students who audition and are accepted into Blue Band or Music programs	✅
Arts & Architecture Scholarships	$1,000–$4,000/year	Students applying to theatre, visual arts, design, or architecture programs	✅
Valedictorian Recognition (Unofficial)	Varies	Some colleges within Penn State may offer extra funding to #1 or #2 ranked students	✅
Alumni Chapter Scholarships	$500–$2,000	Students from regions with active alumni clubs; some auto-awarded, some require a form	✅

❓ Hidden Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions

Why haven’t I seen these scholarships on the Penn State website?

Many of these awards are “behind the scenes.” They come from donor funds, department budgets, or campus-specific programs, and they’re often triggered automatically based on your child’s application info (like GPA, major, or background). That’s why they don’t always appear in one public list.

Does my kid need to apply for these separately?

In most cases, no. As long as your child submits a complete Penn State application (and lists things like their intended major, activities, and first-gen status), they’ll be considered automatically for most hidden scholarships. A few—like music, art, or alumni awards—may require an audition or short form.

My son is first-generation—does that help with scholarships?

Yes. First-generation students may be eligible for Educational Equity awards or donor-funded support. Just make sure your child checks the box that confirms they’re the first in the family to attend college when filling out the application—it matters more than most families realize.

My daughter is in band—can that help pay for college?

It can. If she auditions and is accepted into the Blue Band or the School of Music, she may qualify for performance-based scholarships. The amount is usually small ($500–$1,500), but it can be stacked with other aid. Reach out to the band director or music department early in senior year.

📄 Compare Offers the Smart Way

🎯 Don’t just look at sticker price—compare real net cost. Use our printable worksheet to track scholarships, out-of-pocket costs, and hidden fees across every college your kid is considering.

👉 Download the College Offer Comparison Sheet (PDF)

📝 What To Do Next

Apply to Penn State by the Early Action deadline (Nov 1) for full merit aid consideration
Encourage your kid to pick a major—even if tentative—to qualify for department-based scholarships
Mark “first-generation” on the application if it applies—it matters more than most families realize
Have your child consider applying to the Schreyer Honors College if they have strong grades and leadership
Submit the FAFSA as early as possible to be considered for need-based and donor-funded aid
Follow up in LionPATH (Penn State’s portal) to check for aid awards and updates starting in spring

🧰 Parent Tools

Brag Sheet Builder – Help your kid create a résumé that highlights leadership, service, and awards
Recommendation Request Toolkit – Includes templates and tips to secure strong reference letters
Essay Toolkit – Get guidance on personal statements and short answers, even if your kid isn’t a confident writer

🔝 Back to Top

💬 Final Thought:
You don’t have to game the system—you just have to understand it better than most. Penn State doesn’t make aid obvious, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach. If your kid works hard, applies early, and checks every small box that matters, you’re giving them a real shot. And that’s what counts.