Penn State Commonwealth Award
The Penn State Commonwealth Award is offered annually to first-time, first-year students who are residents of Pennsylvania and enroll at a Penn State campus other than Penn State University Park or Penn State World Campus for the fall semester immediately following their high school graduation. Transfer students are not eligible to receive the award.
There is no additional application to be considered for the Penn State Commonwealth Award. We evaluate students for this award based on your admission and financial aid information. While other forms of financial aid can be combined with the Penn State Commonwealth Award, the Penn State Discover Award and the Penn State Commonwealth Award cannot be combined.
Commonwealth Award Amounts
Award amounts vary based on a student’s academic profile, level of demonstrated financial need and the amount of other institutional grants and scholarships they receive.
Commonwealth Award Eligibility
Students are encouraged to file the FAFSA, but it is not required to be considered for the award.
Students who demonstrate financial need via the FAFSA may qualify for an additional need-based award
First-year, first-time undergraduate students must:
Be admitted to Penn State
Enroll at a campus other than Penn State University Park or Penn State World Campus
Be a resident of Pennsylvania
Be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
Twenty Campuses. One University.
Big or small, Penn State has it all! Not only will students save on their Penn State degree by studying at a campus, they have smaller class sizes and hands-on academic engagement supported by faculty and staff across the state. The unique partnerships available at every campus support career exploration, civic engagement, and leadership development for Penn State students.
Renewing Your Commonwealth Award
You must meet the following award criteria every year to continue receiving the award:
Students are encouraged to file the FAFSA, but it is not required to be considered for the award.
Students who demonstrate financial need via the FAFSA may qualify for an additional need-based award
First-year, first-time undergraduate students must:
Be admitted to Penn State
Enroll at a campus other than Penn State University Park or Penn State World Campus
Be a resident of Pennsylvania
Be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
At any time during the academic year your award will be canceled if:
You change your campus to Penn State University Park or Penn State World Campus.
You receive the University grant-in-aid discount as the child of a Penn State employee.
Awarding Timelines
Eligible first-year students who are residents of Pennsylvania and have an offer to a campus other than Penn State University Park and Penn State World Campus will be considered for the Penn State Commonwealth Award through May 1.