Office of Undergraduate Education

Degree-completion scholarships available for undergraduates facing hardship

Complete Penn State offers financial support through the Open Doors Completion Scholarship for eligible students. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Degree-completion support is available for undergraduate students in their final two semesters leading to the completion of their first associates or bachelor’s degree.  

Support from Complete Penn State is available to undergraduates currently enrolled at any of Penn State’s campuses who are 30 credits or fewer away from degree completion and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.  

Complete Penn State offers financial support through the Open Doors Completion Scholarship for eligible students. To be considered for a scholarship of up to $3,000, students must be experiencing a hardship that is complicating degree completion and must have:  

  • a current FAFSA on file (if applicable). International students may still apply. 

  • documentation that confirms an official timeline to degree completion in fall 2023, spring 2024, or summer 2024. 

  • financial need for educational expenses related to the current academic year (2023-2024). 

  • a record of having accepted all available aid (including direct loans and Parent Plus Loan).   

  • not previously received a maximum Complete Penn State scholarship.  

Applications to Complete Penn State are reviewed on a rolling basis. To find out more about the Completion Scholarship and the Complete Penn State program and to apply visit complete.psu.edu

“The Open Doors programs and Complete Penn State assist thousands of students each year, helping them find equitable pathways to success and degree completion,” said Denise Poole, director of the Student Success Center. “We are proud to assist hundreds of students through the Complete Penn State program by helping them identify creative solutions to overcome barriers and achieve their goals.” 

Complete Penn State was named the Student Philanthropy Network’s 2023 Class Gift, and those graduating in spring, summer or fall 2023 can still donate to the fund. To date, the Class of 2023 has raised just over $36,000 which has been endowed to support the program in perpetuity.  In its seven-year history, Complete Penn State has awarded more than 3,500 students with more than $10 million in scholarship support.

About the Student Success Center 

The Student Success Center is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education. The Student Success Center opened in 2019 and is located at 325 Boucke Building on the University Park campus. The center supports undergraduate students and their advocates by contributing to a University-wide culture of care and assisting students as they strive toward academic goals and degree completion. 

Last Updated December 15, 2023