There is only one Penn State University and your degree can begin and end right here at Penn State Scranton.

An advantage to pursuing your degree at the Penn State Scranton campus is the savings. Tuition and fees are structured to be as affordable as possible to out-of-state students. We are helping to make Penn State Scranton more affordable to Penn State students from states bordering Pennsylvania (DE, MD, OH, NJ, NY, and WV), as well as the District of Columbia and Virginia. 

The Discover Award will follow a student to another Commonwealth Campus but not to University Park. The priority application date for students enrolling for the upcoming fall is November 30.

Value of the Discover Award

Through our Discover Award, qualifying students save $6,000 per year in their first two years of their Penn State education and $7,000 per year in the third and fourth years. That's up to $26,000 in total if you start and finish your degree at a Penn State campus other than University Park.

Student Type Penn State Years 1 and 2 Penn State Years 3 and 4 Total Value
First-Year Associate (two-year degree) $6,000 per academic yer ($3,000 per semester) Not available unless student enrolls in four-year program, then eligible to keep award $12,000 two-year value (unless student enrolls in for-year program)
First-Year Baccalaureate (four-year degree) $6,000 per academic year ($3,000 per semester) $7,000 per academic year ($3,500 per semester) $26,000 four year value
Transfer Student $6,500 per academic year ($3,250 per semester) $6,500 for one academic year ($#,250 per semester), if applicable, based on timing of transfer $19,500 three-year value (maximum of three consecutive years on award)

Penn State Discover Award available at Penn State Commonwealth Campuses.

Details of the Discover Award

Eligibility:

  • Qualifying students must be first-year undergraduates and reside in one of the following states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia as well as the District of Columbia.
  • Students who start and finish their degree at one of Penn State's 19 eligible Commonwealth Campuses may realize $26,000 in total savings.
  • Students who decide to transition to the University Park campus for their third and fourth years would realize two years of significant savings toward their Penn State degree.

Eligibility Information

  • Students must reside in: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia (other out-of-state residents are not eligible for this award)
  • Recipients must be NEW undergraduate first-year or transfer students to the University
  • Students do not have to apply for the award – they are automatically considered
  • Award cannot be combined with the Provost’s Award

Award Consideration

First consideration will be given to first-year students who:

  • Have a complete application on file by November 30 for the following academic year (summer/fall) semester or for the immediately following spring semester as a new first-year applicant.
  • Select a Commonwealth Campus as one of their campus choices on the application for admission (first choice or alternate choice)
  • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by December 1.

First consideration will be given to transfer students who:

  • Have a complete application on file by May 1 for the following academic year (summer/fall).
  • Select a Commonwealth Campus as their first-choice campus on the application of admission.
  • Select a Commonwealth Campus major/pre-major on the application of admission.
  • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Renewal Criteria

Students must:

  • Be enrolled at any Commonwealth Campus;
  • Be in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0) at the end of the spring semester of each academic year;
  • Complete a minimum of 24 credits per academic year.

Note: Students with offers of admission to University Park or World Campus are not eligible for this award. Additionally, students who plan to transition to University Park through the 2+2 plan or to World Campus are not eligible to retain the award at University Park or World Campus.

Awarding Timeline

Students meeting the outlined eligibility guidelines for first consideration for the summer/fall semester will receive notice of the award during aid awarding in early February, when student aid awarding begins. Spring admits and transfer students will be awarded on a rolling basis.

Award and Campus Benefits

  • With 19 Commonwealth Campuses across the state of Pennsylvania, we are sure you can find your Penn State fit – Research All Campuses
  • Campuses offer a wide variety of four-year baccalaureate programs from which students can choose – Review All Campus Majors.
  • Students earn a degree from Penn State, regardless of their chosen major or campus.
  • Students are able to earn their degree at a considerable savings, particularly when compared to another out-of-state institution.
    • Students already save approximately $10,000-15,000 in tuition annually at a campus.
    • Adding the award, students can save $16,000-22,000 annually on their degree.