Frequently Asked Questions

Most commonly asked questions regarding Educational Equity scholarships

Before submitting a scholarship application:


If I filed a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) last year, do I have to file another one this year?
Yes, you must submit a new FAFSA each year.

If I filed a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) last year, do I have to file another one this year?
Yes, you must submit a new FAFSA each year.

I am an international student. Can I still apply and do I need to document financial need?
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.

I submitted a scholarship application last year, do I have to submit another one this year?
Yes.

If I received a scholarship last year, will I receive one again this year?
You will need to re-apply for the scholarship each year.

Do I need to submit the FAFSA prior to completing the scholarship application?
The FAFSA and Educational Equity 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 May 1 deadline.

What kinds of scholarships are available in the Office of the Vice Provosr of Educational Equity?
Visit the Educational Equity Scholarships page to see a list of scholarships, their criteria and benefactors.

Do I need to apply for each scholarship that I want to be considered for?
No, only one application form is necessary.

My financial need isn’t very high. Why should I apply?
Not all scholarships are based on financial need. Some are based on academic performance and other criteria only. We encourage all students to apply!

After submitting a scholarship application:

Can I make changes to my application after it is submitted?
Yes, you can make changes up until the May 1 deadline, but not in Qualtrics. Send an email
to equityscholarships@psu.edu with your updates.

After I submit my application, what happens next?
You will receive confirmation of receipt of your application to your PSU email address.

I am having trouble accessing my PSU email address, what do I do?
Please contact Penn State IT for support at .

When will I know if I received a scholarship or not?
If you are awarded a scholarship before June 30, you will be notified via email by July 15, 2024. If an
award is made during the academic year, you will be notified at the time the award is posted. Only
students who have received awards are notified. Scholarships can be awarded throughout the academic year, therefore an applicant may still have an opportunity to be awarded a scholarship from June through February of the following year. Again, you will not receive a notification if you did not receive a scholarship.

Who makes the scholarship awarding decisions?
The Office of the Vice Provost of Educational Equity Scholarship Committee makes determinations for the majority of scholarships. The committee is led by Dr. SeriaShia Chatters, Associate Vice Provost for Educational Equity and has representation from Student Disability Services, the Office of Veteran Programs, the Multicultural Resource Center, and the TRIO program. The administrative support assistant for the committee is Daniela Saraka. If you have a question, please email the committee at equityscholarships@psu.edu.

I'm graduating in December. Can I still apply?
Yes, just be sure to check that box on the application so the full scholarship amount is applied to the fall semester.

I’ve just been notified that I received a scholarship. What is the next step?
Follow the instructions in your notification letter. If you have any additional questions or concerns, send them to equityscholarships@psu.edu.