FAQs

During the coronavirus pandemic, conditions may require that students complete elements of the STEP program remotely.

STEP participants may be eligible for scholarships greater than $1,500 depending on the availability of funds.

STEP is open to any student who is transitioning to the University Park campus from another Penn State campus, including Penn State World Campus.

Students can begin their studies at a Commonwealth Campus and complete their degrees at University Park through the 2+2 plan.

Once enrolled at Penn State, students must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA, be in good standing with the University, and be enrolled in a degree-granting program to remain eligible for Penn State RaiseMe funds.

Students who qualify for Penn State RaiseMe funds through the National School Lunch Program will be awarded a flat amount of $500 per academic year for up to four years.

Students may earn up to $4,000 per year in Penn State RaiseMe funds, for a total of $16,000 over four years.

Students must have earned micro-scholarships, as entered and tracked on their RaiseMe portfolio, by January 1 of the year they plan to start at Penn State.

While PaSSS is not offered at the University Park campus, incoming first-year students at University Park can take advantage of the LEAP program, a summer transition program that any student can opt into.

PaSSS is currently offered at seventeen Commonwealth Campuses. In the future, we hope to extend the program to every Commonwealth Campus.

Students do not opt into PaSSS. Rather, Penn State uses the regular application process to identify students who qualify.

In a typical year, students live on campus for PaSSS. During the coronavirus pandemic, conditions may require that students complete the program remotely.

The program helps build a community of online peer learners who can encourage and support each other.

In addition to participating in an academic and life skills course, students receive mentorship and support from an academic coach.

The $3,000 scholarship is spread out over the two semesters of the program.

Students are invited to participate in the Smart Track to Success program. Participation is open to first-year Penn State World Campus students with fewer than 18 credits.

Students typically receive a maximum award of $3,000, but scholarship amounts are based on the assessment of financial need and the availability of existing funds.

Complete Penn State is available to students at all Penn State campuses, including the World Campus, and to domestic as well as international students.

To qualify for financial support through Complete Penn State, students must be within 30 credits and two semesters of earning their first bachelor’s or associate degree (as confirmed in LionPATH or by their academic adviser), have a GPA of at least 2.0, and have exhausted all sources of federal and state aid. Student Success Center staff can help students determine their eligibility for Complete Penn State support.