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Scholarships and financial assistance

Pitt State offers its students many opportunities for scholarships & financial assistance. 

We understand that, as a student, your focus should be on the classroom and not on the paperwork. The professionals in our Office of Student Financial Assistance are here to provide you with the information you need to make the right choices about financial aid.

Nearly 80 percent of Pitt State students receive some sort of financial aid, including:

  • Grants: assistance that does not require repayment
  • Scholarships: awards for students who have demonstrated superior academic achievement or meet specific criteria, which do not require repayment
  • Employment: about 10% of our students are employed on campus
  • Loans: loans can be made to parents and/or students, and must be repaid

In many cases, our student financial assistance professionals can help you combine these options into a personal package that fits your individual need. The amount of assistance you receive is based upon your family’s expected contribution to your educational costs.

Apply early

We encourage you to apply early and to take advantage of the support that is available for you - priority date for scholarships is November 1.

The final scholarships deadline for incoming freshmen and transfer students is based on the availability of the funds. It's never too late to apply – funds are often available up to the start of the semester.

When applying for scholarships, we will need:

Scholarships

Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen
Award Amounts Details Priority date
Academic Achievement Award $500 - $1,200 Based on your cumulative high school GPA and your ACT score. Renewable for one additional year. Priority date - November 1
Valedictorian $1,000 For High School Graduates ranked #1 in High School class. The award is divided over the first two semesters of attendance. It is not renewable. Priority date - November 1
Diversity scholarship $1,000 19 ACT and 3.4 GPA or 20 ACT and 3.3 GPA or 21 or above ACT and 3.2 GPA; must meet diversity factors. Priority date - November 1
Alumni Legacy License Plate Scholarship Amounts vary Parent/Grandparent must be a PSU graduate;
minimum 21 ACT or 3.0 GPA; first time enrolling in PSU
Priority date - November 1
Departmental awards and scholarships Amounts vary Contact the department of your major to see if a separate application is required
Department contacts
View all departmental scholarships
Priority date - November 1
PSU Campus-wide general scholarships Amounts vary

Requirements vary - apply for general scholarships

Priority date - November 1

Note: All applications will be considered for scholarships. Funds are often available up to the start of the semester. Priority is given to applications submitted early. 

Scholarships for Incoming Transfer Students
Award Amounts Details Priority date
Academic Achievement Award $750 Minimum 3.5 cumulative college GPA and 24 transferable hours or minimum 3.25 cumulative college GPA and 48 transferable hours earned after high school graduation. Priority date - November 1
Diversity scholarship up to $1,000 3.5 college GPA; must meet diversity factors Priority date - November 1
Alumni Legacy License Plate Scholarship Amounts vary Parent/Grandparent must be a PSU graduate; minimum 21 ACT or 3.0 GPA; first time enrolling in PSU Priority date - November 1
Departmental awards and scholarships Amounts vary Contact the department of your major to see if a separate application is required
Department contacts
View all departmental scholarships
Priority date - November 1
Kansas All-State Academic Team $1,000 Member of the Kansas All-State Academic Team sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa and the Kansas Association of Community Colleges Current year selection
Phi Theta Kappa $500 Phi Theta Kappa member; proof of membership required Priority date - November 1
PSU Campus-wide general scholarships Amounts vary Requirements vary - apply for general scholarships Priority date - November 1

Note: All applications will be considered for scholarships. Funds are often available up to the start of the semester. Priority is given to applications submitted early.

Scholarships for Current Students

There are many scholarship opportunities for current students. Current students must apply or re-apply for Scholarship every year to be considered. Apply for scholarships by February 1.

Additionally, there may be scholarship opportunities available through the college departments and/or scholarships awarded by the industry. Please contact your adviser or a department of your majors for more information.

Pitt State Campus-wide general scholarships

Departmental Scholarships

Honors College Awards
Award Amounts Deadline
Presidential Award $9,500/year; $2,000 study abroad stipend January 15
University Award $4,500/year; $2,000 study abroad stipend January 15
Crimson & Gold Award $1,000/year; $2,000 study abroad stipend January 15

Deadline to apply for entering freshman is January 15th prior to the fall semester in which the student will enter Pittsburg State.

To apply, a student must first meet the following:
1. Must be a new incoming freshman
2. ACT composite score of 28 or higher OR SAT composite score of 1310 or higher; AND
3. Complete the pre-college curriculum with at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)

The Pre-college Curriculum as established by the Kansas Board of Regents includes:

  • 4 units of English
  • 4 units of Math (Nothing below Algebra I will be accepted)
  • 3 units of Natural Science (One unit must be Physics or Chemistry)
  • 3 units of Social Science
  • 3 units of electives

Visit Honors College web page

Diversity Scholarship for Incoming Students

Students of diversity may be eligible for a $1,000 renewable scholarship. Diversity status will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For freshmen: 19 ACT and 3.4 GPA or 20 ACT and 3.3 GPA or 21 or above ACT and 3.2 GPA

For transfer students: 3.5 college GPA

Current students must maintain a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA for the Diversity Scholarship to be renewable.

Nursing Scholarship

Nursing Scholarship Program is available to incoming and current nursing students

Programs for Out-of-State Students
Award Amounts Details
Gorilla Advantage In-state Tuition Effective Fall 2021: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin residents
Alumni Legacy Tuition Program 150% of In-State Tuition Parent/grandparent must be a PSU graduate
External Scholarships Search Engines

 General Scholarship Search Engines

Federal Student Aid https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/scholarships
Fastweb www.fastweb.com

 

Minority Student Resources

America's Black Collegians www.am-blk-coll.com
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
www.hsf.net
American Indian College Fund
www.collegefund.org
United Negro College Fund www.uncf.org
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund www.apiasf.org
Bureau of Indian Education www.bie.edu
Gates Millennium Scholars www.gmsp.org
U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce http://uspaacc.com/index.php/programs/college-scholarships/

 

Military Scholarship Resources

Kansas Military Service Scholarship              http://www.kansasregents.org/scholarships_and_grants

 

Disabled Student Resources

FinAid for Disabled Students www.finaid.org/otheraid/disabled.phtml
National Center for Learning http://www.ncld.org/
Scholarship Searches-International                   www.iefa.org
Scholarship Searches-International www.internationstudent.com

 

Other Scholarship Resources

 

Scholarship Experts www.scholarshipexperts.com
Scholarship Help www.scholarshiphelp.org
Scholarship Scams www.finaid.org/scholarships/scams.phtml
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation www.gkccf.org
Student's Guide to Writing a Scholarship Essay www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/tips/scholarship-essay-tips.php
Scholarships for International Students
Award Amounts Details
Gorilla International Scholarship Up to $6,000; renewable See details and how to apply
Undergraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship $1,000; one-time See details and how to apply
Intensive English Program Academic Excellence Scholarship $1,000; one-time See details and how to apply
Honors College Scholarship $4,500 - $9,500 See details and how to apply
Legacy Scholarship Program 150% of in-state tuition See details and how to apply
International Advocate Scholarship $1,000; renewable See details and how to apply
Malaysian High Achiever Scholarship $1,000; renewable See details and how to apply
Malaysian Technology Major Scholarship In-State tuition See details and how to apply
Paraguay-Kansas In-State Tuition Waiver In-State tuition See details and how to apply
Tsang-Hsun Tsai and Ching-Hui Huang Scholarship $150; renewable See details and how to apply
Samuel J. Pease & William R. Herr Foreign Student Scholarship $1,000; renewable See details and how to apply
Graduate Assistantship 20 hrs/week See details and how to apply
General University Scholarships & Academic Department Scholarships Amounts vary See details and how to apply
External Scholarships

Privately funded scholarships from outside companies.

See the list of non-institutional scholarships

On-Campus Employment
Award Amounts Details
Federal Work Study Up to $3,500/yr. Students with financial need
Pitt State Student Employment Minimum wage, up to 20 hrs/week Open to all students

Visit Career Services web page

Grants
Award Amounts Details Deadline
Federal Pell Grant $605 - $5,645 Students with financial need February 1
Federal Supplemental Grant $200 - $400 Students with financial need February 1
Kansas Comprehensive Grant $100 - $1,100 Kansas residency; based on income February 1
Federal Teach Grant Up to $4,000/year Undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students preparing to teach in a high-need field may be eligible. Contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for more information February 1
Loans
Award Amounts Details Deadline
Graduate Federal Stafford Loans-unsubsidized Up to $20,500 Financial need not required February 1
Federal Stafford Loans-subsidized Up to $5,500; depends on class standing Students with financial need February 1
Federal Stafford Loans-unsubsidized Up to $5,500; depends on class standing Financial need not required February 1
Nursing Student Loan Up to $2,500 Admission to Nursing program; students with financial need February 1
Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Amounts vary For parents borrowing on behalf of dependent undergraduate students February 1
Non-federal Private Loans Amounts vary

Financial need not required.
For students or parents borrowing on behalf of child.
Based on borrower's credit

Compare Lenders

N/A

Applying for General Scholarships

Incoming Freshmen and Transfer Students

  • For incoming freshmen, submit ACT/SAT scores, high school cumulative GPA and class rank to Pitt State by November 1st (Self-reported information is not used for scholarship purposes.)
  • For transfer students, send all college transcripts to Pitt State by November 1st for first consideration
  • Apply for admission and scholarships online by November 1st. If you completed a paper application for admission, complete a separate scholarship application
  • Applications received after November 1 will be considered only if funds remain available

Current students

  • Must apply or re-apply for General Scholarships every year to be considered. Apply every year by February 1 for first consideration
  • Apply or Re-Apply for General Scholarships (Current Students)
  • Applications received after February 1 will be considered only if funds remain available

Admission Scholarships

Many incoming freshmen and transfer students who apply to Pittsburg State University are eligible for Admission scholarships based on academic performance. 

Academic Achievement Award for Freshmen- New incoming freshmen (most recent high school graduates only) who have applied for admission and completed their admission file (submitted their high school transcript and ACT score) by November 1, with a minimum ACT score of 22 and a minimum unweighted 3.2 GPA are eligible for at least $500. The scholarship is divided between the fall and spring semesters and renewable for a second year with 24 PSU credit hours and at least a 3.2 PSU GPA after the first year.

High school class valedictorians (students ranked #1 in high school class) are also eligible for an Admission scholarship if they have applied for admission and completed their application file by November 1. 

Academic Achievement Award for Transfer Students - Students transferring from an accredited college, university, or community college, who have applied for admission and completed their admission file (submitted all required college transcripts) by November 1, with 48 completed hours and a 3.25 GPA or 24 completed hours and a 3.5 GPA may be eligible for $750. Students with 48 completed hours or 24 completed hours and a 4.0 GPA may be eligible for $1,500. This award is non-renewable. Please note: to be considered a transfer student and for transfer scholarships, a minimum of 24 college credit hours must be taken after high school graduation.

Note: Self-reported scores are not used for scholarship purposes.

Deadlines

There are three important dates for every student to remember:

  • November 1 - Priority date application for Pitt State Scholarships
  • January 15 - Application deadline for Honors College Scholarships
  • March 1 - Application deadline for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Frequently Asked Questions

Scholarships

Who is eligible?

Scholarship requirements vary widely, but generally, you will need a minimum 22 ACT score and a 3.2 GPA.

How do I apply for scholarships?

There are many different scholarships available for students at Pitt State.

    • New Pitt State students: students who are new to Pittsburg State must complete the Admission and Scholarship Application in order to be considered.  
    • Current Pitt State students: current students must apply or re-apply for General Scholarships each year in order to be considered. Apply for a scholarship every year by November 1.
    • Departmental Scholarships: Contact the department of your major to see if a separate application is required
    • Department contacts
    • View all departmental scholarships
    • Honors College Scholarships: these scholarships require a separate application and have a deadline of January 15. Honors College Scholarships cannot be considered unless a student has (1) applied for admission – including the $30 fee, (2) submitted a transcript(s), and (3) submitted ACT score(s).
Is there a deadline for scholarship applications?

Yes. The deadline for all general scholarships at Pitt State is November 1 for first consideration.

How will I be notified?

Scholarship recipients will receive an award letter after April 1.

Are family finances considered?

Most scholarships are awarded on a merit basis. Some scholarships include financial need as a requirement.

Are scholarship awards renewable?

It depends upon the scholarship. You should apply for scholarships each year to ensure that you receive the maximum award for which you are eligible.

Do I have to apply for scholarships every year even if I am a current Pitt State student?

Yes, to be considered for scholarships you must apply or re-apply for general scholarships every year. Departmental scholarships may require a separate application. Please contact the respective department chair for application procedures.

Can I update my scholarship application?

Yes.  Access the scholarship application, login to GUS, and make the necessary changes.  Updates should be done by November 1.

Financial Assistance

How do I apply?

As soon as possible after October 1 of your senior year, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. (PSU’s Federal School Code is 001926.) Within 3-5 days, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) via email. The Office of Student Financial Assistance will receive your application electronically and will contact you if additional information or documentation is needed. Be sure to watch your e-mail for information.

Is there a deadline?

Yes. The priority deadline is March 1.

How will I be notified?

Once your application is processed, you will be notified via e-mail and provided instructions on how to accept your awards online. Make sure to check your e-mail often, in case we need additional information from you.