Incoming First-Year Student Scholarships

In the College of Engineering, we are here to support you from day one. Our special scholarships for first-year students reward your hard work and help you focus on your engineering journey.

Application & Eligibility

To be considered for first-year student scholarships, you must be a newly admitted, first-semester undergraduate student and submit a first-year student scholarship application. Awards are based on your academic record and application details.  

We also recommend filing out the FAFSA—it's not required, but it can open up more scholarship and financial aid opportunities at Penn State.

Application Deadline - January 4, 2026. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a rolling basis as resources allow. The application process will close on April 6, 2026.

First-Year Student Scholarship Application »

Award Notification

We award scholarships on a rolling basis starting in February, with most given by April. Recipients will receive an email with details, and award info is available in their MyPennState account. 

Most scholarships first appear as “Engineering Recruitment” awards but will be updated to show a specific donor before classes start. The award amount stays the same.