Douglas Olsen
Penn State University is committed to making higher education accessible and affordable. The university participates in all major federal and state student aid programs, and also receives funding from private philanthropy to support its students. Penn State offers scholarships based on merit and/or financial need, with approximately one in four undergraduates receiving a university scholarship. While international students are eligible for a select few scholarships, most forms of financial aid are only available to US citizens and permanent residents. International undergraduate students, in particular, have very limited access to financial aid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scholarship availability for international students | Penn State University offers a select few scholarships for international students. |
| Scholarship criteria | Scholarships are awarded based on merit, financial need, or a combination of both. |
| Scholarship amount | Scholarship awards typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 per year, with an average value not exceeding $2,500. |
| Application process | Students can apply for scholarships by submitting a single application along with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). |
| Eligibility | Both Pennsylvania and non-Pennsylvania residents are eligible for scholarships. |
| Scholarship recipients | Approximately 25% of awards go to first-year students who complete the scholarship application. |
| Number of scholarships | Penn State World Campus offers over 40 scholarships to hundreds of undergraduate students annually. |
| Funding sources | The university receives funding from federal and state aid programs, as well as private philanthropy. |
What You'll Learn
Penn State University scholarships for international students
Penn State University is committed to making higher education accessible and affordable. The university participates in all major federal and state student aid programs, and also receives funding from private philanthropy to support its students.
International students are eligible for a select few scholarships at Penn State University. While most financial aid is only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, international students can apply for a number of assistantships, fellowships and grants. The most common of these are graduate assistantships, which provide full tuition, 80% of health insurance premiums and a living stipend in return for service.
There is also scholarship funding available exclusively for currently enrolled international students. International undergraduate students can apply for outside scholarships from private sources, and there are limited opportunities to borrow from private loan programs, although these usually require a U.S. citizen as a co-signer.
Penn State University offers two scholarship awards to help enrolled students complete their degree: the Complete Penn State Program and the Summer Success Scholarship. The Provost's Award is a four-year scholarship that is available to first-time, first-year students at any of Penn State's twenty undergraduate campuses (excluding Penn State World Campus). Both Pennsylvania and non-Pennsylvania residents, as well as international students, are considered for this award.
The university also offers more than 40 scholarships to hundreds of undergraduate students each year. Approximately one in four undergraduates receive a university scholarship, with awards typically ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 per year.
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Graduate assistantships for international students
Graduate assistantships are funding packages awarded to degree-seeking students at Penn State University. They are designed to support and enhance a graduate student's overall educational experience and provide opportunities for professional development and financial support.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a graduate assistantship, applicants must:
- Be international students
- Be self-funded
- Enroll in a graduate program at the university
- Submit three letters of recommendation
- Submit GRE scores for MS and PhD applicants
Funding Support
An assistantship at Penn State University includes:
- Insurance premium subsidies
- Payment of the Student-Initiated Fee
- A stipend commensurate with the type (quarter, half, or three-quarters) and grade level of the assistantship
Assistantship Duration and Summer Funding
Graduate assistantships at Penn State University last 18 weeks per semester or 36 weeks for a fall and spring appointment. Students with assistantships during the fall and spring are eligible to apply for summer tuition assistance (STAP) of up to 9 credits of required coursework for the subsequent summer.
Credit Load Requirements
The minimum and maximum credit load requirements for the three types of assistantships (quarter-time, half-time, and three-quarters time) are as follows:
- Quarter-time: 9-14 credits per semester (5-7 per summer semester)
- Half-time: 9-12 credits per semester (4-6 per summer semester)
- Three-quarters time: 6-8 credits per semester (3-4 per summer semester)
Health Insurance
Penn State University subsidizes health insurance (medical, dental, and vision) for graduate assistants and full-time fellows and trainees. Health insurance is mandatory for international students. The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) provides coverage tailored to meet student needs for the entire academic year, including summer.
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International scholarships, fellowships or grants
Penn State University offers a range of scholarships, fellowships, and grants to international students. While international students are not eligible for federal and state aid, which is available only to US citizens and permanent residents, they can apply for various other opportunities.
International students at Penn State University are eligible for a select few scholarships. The Provost's Award, for instance, is a four-year scholarship that is open to international first-time, first-year students at any of Penn State's twenty undergraduate campuses (excluding the World Campus). The scholarship is also offered to both Pennsylvania and non-Pennsylvania residents, and it is highly competitive.
Additionally, international students can apply for assistantships, fellowships, and grants offered by the university. Graduate assistantships are the most common, providing full tuition coverage, 80% of health insurance premiums, and a living stipend in return for service. To be considered for this aid, students should indicate their interest when completing their application for admission.
There are also external scholarship opportunities for international students, such as the Education Future International Scholarship and the Higher Education Scholarship Test for Indian Students. These scholarships are offered by organisations outside of the university and can provide funding for various degree levels and courses.
Furthermore, Penn State University participates in all major federal and state student aid programs, and private philanthropy also helps to strengthen the university's scholarship offerings. While Penn State cannot guarantee an award to every top-ranking student, they are committed to making higher education accessible and affordable.
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Private alternative loans for international students
Penn State University offers a select few scholarships for international students. To be considered for these, students must submit a single application, in addition to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
International students at Penn State University can also consider private alternative loans to help fund their studies. Private student loans are typically issued by banks or financial institutions, and they are based on the applicant's creditworthiness.
Eligibility
International students often need a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and has good credit. This is because international students usually don't have a credit history in the U.S., and the loan approval is based on creditworthiness.
Interest Rates
Interest rates for private student loans can be variable or fixed. Variable rates may start lower but can change from year to year, whereas fixed rates stay the same for the life of the loan.
Repayment Options
Some lenders may require interest or full payments each month while the student is still in school. Others allow borrowers to defer all payments until after graduation. There may also be in-school repayment options, such as fixed, interest-only, or deferred.
Other Benefits
Some lenders may offer benefits such as interest rate discounts for enrolling in automatic payments or making a certain number of consecutive on-time payments. A few lenders also offer a co-signer release option once certain conditions are met.
Application Process
Students can apply for private college loans directly from each lender's website. It is recommended to apply after deciding on a school and knowing the total financial need, so separate applications don't have to be submitted for different schools.
Alternative Options
Before considering a private student loan, it is advised to first explore other options such as scholarships, grants, and federal student loans. International students can also check with their country's embassy or consulate in the U.S. or their home country's government office for scholarship or aid opportunities.
Example Lenders
- Earnest: Offers a nine-month grace period and the ability to skip a payment once a year without penalty. International students can apply without a co-signer if they meet specific criteria.
- Juno: Groups prospective borrowers together and gets private student loan companies to compete for their business, potentially securing a lower interest rate.
- Credible: Allows borrowers to compare rates from multiple lenders without a hard credit check.
- Ascent: Offers a wide range of repayment terms and a cash-back reward of 1% of the loan balance upon graduation.
- Citizens Bank: Offers multi-year approval, so there's no need to submit a new application every year.
- MPOWER: Does not require a co-signer or credit check, but interest rates are higher than most lenders.
- Prodigy: Does not require a co-signer or collateral, and assesses applicants based on their potential and earning capacity after graduation.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and it is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of any loan before committing.
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Provost's Award for international students
Penn State University offers the Provost's Award, a four-year scholarship available to first-time, first-year students with offers of admission to any of Penn State's twenty undergraduate campuses, excluding the World Campus. Both Pennsylvania and non-Pennsylvania residents are considered for this award, as well as international students. The Provost's Award is highly competitive and is not available to transfer students.
All first-time, first-year undergraduate students with an offer of admission are automatically considered for the Provost's Award. Students do not need to submit a separate application to be considered for this award. However, it is recommended that students fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, although it is not mandatory.
The Provost's Award is valued at $5,000 per academic year ($2,500 per semester) for the first two years and $7,000 per academic year ($3,500 per semester) for the last two years, totalling a four-year value of $24,000.
To be eligible for the Provost's Award, students must meet specific criteria each year. These criteria include maintaining good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of the spring semester and successfully completing a minimum of 24 credits annually.
Eligible first-year students are notified of the Provost's Award on a rolling basis, with the initial round of awarding typically taking place in late December or early January.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Penn State University does offer a select few scholarships to international students.
Students can be considered for many Penn State scholarships by submitting a single application, in addition to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
There is limited financial aid available to international undergraduate students. There are limited opportunities to borrow from a private loan, and most programs require a U.S. citizen to co-sign.
International students are eligible for assistantships, fellowships, and grants offered by Penn State. Graduate assistantships are the most common and provide full tuition, 80% of health insurance premiums, and a living stipend in return for service.
