Scholarship FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you must submit a new FAFSA each year. Most scholarships require documentation of financial need every academic year.
Yes, you can still apply. However, only students (or their parents who claim them as a dependent) who file a U.S. tax return are able to complete the FAFSA form. Since not all scholarships require financial need, we encourage all students to apply.
We strongly encourage you to complete a new application for the upcoming academic year. Doing so will help to confirm your eligibility for renewal. Completing a new application can also add you to the pool to be considered for additional scholarship opportunities.
It depends on several factors. Some scholarships cannot be renewed according to the scholarship guidelines. It may also depend on information in your scholarship application and FAFSA, including but not limited to: GPA, documented financial need, completion of the current scholarship application, and other eligibility criteria.
The FAFSA and the College of Education scholarship application do not need to be submitted at the same time. The important thing is that both documents are filled out before the College's deadline.
Visit the College of Education Scholarships page to see a list of scholarships, their criteria and benefactors.
No, only one application form is necessary.
Not all scholarships are based on financial need. Some are based on academic performance and other criteria only. We encourage all students to apply!
If you switch to a major outside of the College of Education you will not be eligible for our College-wide or academic department scholarships. Part-time students will still be eligible for scholarships that do not require full-time status. There are many scholarships open to part-time students. Contact our office immediately ([email protected]) if your enrollment status changes.
Yes, you can make changes up until the deadline, but not in the application form. Send an email to [email protected] with your updates.
If you are awarded a scholarship before June 15, email notifications are sent to recipients July 1. If an award is made later during the academic year, you will be notified at the time the award is posted. Students who are not selected for a scholarship will not receive a notification.
The College’s Scholarship Committee makes determinations for the majority of scholarships. The committee for College of Education scholarships is chaired by the associate dean for undergraduate and graduate studies (Rayne Sperling) and includes the following positions:
- director, office of education and social equity (Brenda Martinez)
- assistant director of stewardship (Jenn Moore)
- development assistant (Mindy Terpak)
- director of recruitment and student engagement (vacant)
If you are reading this prior to the application deadline, we encourage you to apply even if you have not received your acceptance letter from admissions. We will verify your enrollment before we post the scholarship. It is important that you still complete the FAFSA as soon as you can.
Yes, just be sure to check that box on the application so the full scholarship amount is applied to the fall semester.
Visit the Office of Student Aid and the University Fellowships Office.
Follow the instructions in your notification email. If you have any additional questions or concerns, send them to [email protected].
Penn State faculty and staff who are working full-time at the University and receiving the 75% tuition discount are not eligible to receive College of Education or other University-wide scholarships. If you work at Penn State and are not eligible to receive the 75% discount (that is, you are not a full-time equivalent employee, receiving an assistantship, work study, or a wage-payroll employee), you are able to apply for and receive scholarships. If you are a child or spouse of a Penn State faculty or staff member, you are able to apply for and receive scholarships. Please refer to HR36 for more information.