The second year of a college-high school partnership resulted in Penn State Abington awarding $30,000 in scholarships to six graduates of its hometown high school, Abington Senior High.

This competitive program awards $30,000 annually to two new graduates of Abington Senior High who plan to attend Penn State Abington and four alumni of Abington Senior High who are current Penn State Abington students. Each student receives $5,000. The scholarships are renewable, based on academic performance, each year they are enrolled at Penn State Abington.

The returning Penn State Abington scholarship recipients for the 2020-2021 academic year are Ariel Bondarenko, Semaije Herbert-Savage, Isabella Mager and Brandon Schaffer. In addition, Vincent Sly Condes and Dillon Moleski, both of whom graduated from Abington Senior High School in May, are the freshman beneficiaries of the scholarships.

"Penn State Abington and the Abington School District are partners in supporting the academic success of these worthy students. These scholarships help ensure that local students can take advantage of the opportunities for growth and achievement that Penn State Abington offers," Andrew August, interim chancellor at Penn State Abington, said.

“We appreciate the community partnership with our neighbors at Penn State Abington as they provide scholarship opportunities for our Abington Senior High School graduates and alumni,” Jeffrey S. Fecher, superintendent of Abington School District, said. “Penn State Abington’s commitment to providing financial support to local students is proof of the strength of our community in supporting the future generation.”

Amanda Pickett, who from Penn State in May after attending college at Abington campus, was among the first group of recipients in 2019. A first-generation college student who plans a career as a lawyer, she said the funds gave her the opportunity to focus on academics and career-building experiences in preparation for graduate school.

“This scholarship is one of the many examples in which Penn State Abington and the Abington School District seek to support their students in their academic success. This scholarship meant a world of difference to me and my family,” she said.

The Penn State Abington-Abington Senior High School Scholarship
Eligibility requirements include:

• resident in the Abington School District for a minimum of one year prior to application;
• graduate (or pending graduate) of Abington Senior High School; 
• first-year, transfer or current undergraduate Penn State Abington student enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at least half-time (six credits/semester); and
• demonstrated financial need as indicated on FAFSA for the upcoming academic year.
• Good academic standing 

The deadline for the next round of applications is May 2021. 

About Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible, and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With about 3,700 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 22 majors, undergraduate research, the Schreyer honors program, NCAA Division III athletics and more.