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Scholarships and grants are the best way to pay for college. Unlike loans, these funds don’t have to be repaid. In the state of Pennsylvania, medical students have a particularly large number of scholarship options, but there are options for students who aren’t interested in medicine too. Read on to learn more about scholarships for students from the Keystone State that may reduce your cost of college attendance. You can thank us later!
State-funded scholarships for Pennsylvania residents:
Blind or Deaf Higher Education Beneficiary Grant Program
Award Amount: $500
Application Deadline: March 31, 2019
Pennsylvania residents with visual or hearing impairments who are enrolled at least half-time at an accredited postsecondary institution may be eligible for a $500 grant to put toward their education. Applicants will need to submit a doctor’s note certifying their impairment or written documentation proving that they’ve been evaluated and are eligible to receive benefits from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Students must also file the FAFSA and this application. This grant is renewable.
Pennsylvania State Grant Program
Award Amount: Up to $4,000
Application Deadline: May 1 or August 1, 2019
Applicants must be high school graduates who are Pennsylvania residents, enrolled in at least six credit hours, and taking at least half of their credit hours through classroom instruction (as opposed to online instruction). Programs must be at least two academic years in length. Awards range from about $1,400 to $4,000 depending on your parents’ total income and the type of school and program you plan to attend. Check with your school’s financial aid office to confirm the deadline for your situation.
Pennsylvania Targeted Industry Program
Award Amount: Varies
Application Deadline: May 1, 2019
This award is available to students who are studying energy, advanced materials and diversified manufacturing, or agriculture and food production. Students who already have a bachelor’s or master’s degree are still eligible, provided they meet the other requirements. These include Pennsylvania residency, a high school diploma or the equivalent, and enrollment in a program that lasts at least 10 weeks but fewer than two academic years. Students attending a nonprofit institution must be enrolled at least half time, and all other students must be enrolled full time to be eligible. The award amount is the lesser of $4,123 or 75% of educational costs. Click here for a list of approved programs.
Privately funded scholarships for Pennsylvania residents:
Award Amount: $5,000
Application Deadline: March 31, 2019
Letter of Recommendation: Yes
Essay: Yes
This award is given to a student pursuing a career related to the environment. Students must submit a one-page essay discussing their interest in environmental science, environmental engineering, or another environmentally-related field. Visit the provider’s website for a list of eligible institutions.
Alliance Medical Education Scholarship Fund
Award Amount: $2,500
Application Deadline: February 28, 2019
Letter of Recommendation: Yes
Essay: Yes
This award is available to second- and third-year medical students who are Pennsylvania residents and enrolled full-time in a medical school in their home state. Applicants must have resided in Pennsylvania for at least one year before college (even undergraduate). A one-page essay “describing your vision for the future of Pennsylvania medicine” is also required. Additionally, applicants must be members of the Pennsylvania Medical Society and county medical society; you can choose to apply for membership when you submit your scholarship application.
Award Amount: $10,000
Minimum GPA Required: 3.0
Letter of Recommendation: Yes
Essay: Yes
The Clarkston Scholars Program provides a sophomore attending a four-year college or university undergraduate program in Pennsylvania and majoring in a life sciences-related field of study a $10,000 scholarship award ($5,000 for both junior and senior year). Students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA. Applicants must be available for an in-person interview and to attend an award ceremony should they win. Applicants must submit two 500-word essays, one on each of the following topics:
- “In 500 words or less, write an essay stating your opinion of an issue impacting the pharmaceutical and biotech industry in the state of Pennsylvania.”
- “In 500 words or less, describe your career goals and how receiving this scholarship will support those goals.”
Keep an eye on the provider’s website for the 2020 application!
Verna Butterer Educational Trust
Award Amount: Up to $14,000
Application Deadline: March 15, 2019
Letter of Recommendation: Yes
Essay: Yes
Available to Bucks County residents who have lived in the county for at least two years, this award is renewable for up to four years. Half of the award is given as a scholarship, while half is given as an interest-free loan. The loan must be repaid within five years. Students must submit information from their FAFSA showing financial need in order to receive an award. A two-page essay is required, and students may choose between two topics:
- "What was the most difficult obstacle you have had to overcome in your life, how did you deal with this obstacle, and what did you learn from it?"
- “Which is more important for life success: luck or hard work?"
The National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) – Philadelphia Scholarship Program
Award Amount: $1,000
Application Deadline: April 7, 2019
Minimum GPA Required: 3.0
Letter of Recommendation: Yes
Essay: Yes
The NAAAP is seeking students of Asian descent who display strong leadership potential. Applicants must be U.S. residents of Asian-American or Asian descent who are currently attending a high school or college in or around Philadelphia. If students are currently attending college, they must have at least one year remaining before graduation. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, their résumé, and their transcript. Students are able to choose between four 500-word essay prompts for the required essay, and between three additional prompts should they choose to submit a second, optional essay response.
The Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania (NFP) Future Nurse Leader Scholarship
Award Amount: $1,000
Application Deadline: March 30, 2019
Minimum GPA Required: 3.0
Letter of Recommendation: Yes
Essay: Yes
Applicants must be full-time students attending an accredited Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Pennsylvania. While the award is not renewable, award recipients must regularly update the NFP on their academic progress and contribute to the NFP through volunteer work. Students must submit their official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, two essay responses, and a headshot with their application. Other scholarships provided by the Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania can be found here.
Pennsylvania Engineering Foundation Scholarships
Award Amount: Up to $2,000
Application Deadline: April 15, 2019
Minimum GPA Required: 3.6
Essay: Yes
Scholarships are available to Pennsylvania residents who will be freshmen attending their first semester in the fall at an ABET-accredited engineering school in their home state. Students must achieve minimum scores on the SAT (700 in math and 600 in evidence-based reading and writing). Applicants must also have a minimum 3.6 GPA. The application includes a 300-word essay on why you are pursuing engineering as a career. Additionally, you must submit a letter of recommendation. Award amounts are $1,000 for freshmen and $2,000 for upperclassmen.
County-specific scholarships for medical students:
Pennsylvania has a significant number of scholarships available to third- and fourth-year medical students. Most of them are available from county medical societies and given to students who reside in those counties. So, if you’re a medical student and you live in one of the counties listed below, today is your lucky day!
- Allegheny County Medical Society Medical Student Scholarship
- Blair County Medical Society Scholarship
- Lehigh County Medical Auxiliary's Scholarship and Educational Fund Scholarship
- Lycoming County Medical Society Scholarship
- Montgomery County Medical Society–William W. Lander, MD, Medical Student Scholarship
Although this list of scholarships for students from Pennsylvania covers a range of potential career paths, it’s always a great idea to do your own scholarship search! There’s a good chance that there is a scholarship available out there for your specific situation. Now that you’ve got some ideas, do a little digging of your own!
