Scholarships
Scholarships reduce the cost of attendance and allow you to focus on getting a great education. Students at Commonwealth University can take advantage of a variety of need-based and merit-based scholarships to help them achieve their academic goals.
First-Year Scholarships for 2025-26
The Board of Governors for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education has frozen tuition for the seventh year in row.
Our scholarship strategy is focused on providing the most affordable education possible and we realize how important scholarships are for making a college education attainable.
Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement. In addition, the following factors from your admissions application may be relevant: commuting vs living on campus, state of residency, campus of choice, and program of study. If any of these variables change, your scholarship may be impacted.
Application for admission and all supporting documents must be completed and received by:
- First-year students: December 15th
- International first-year students: May 15th
After deadlines, scholarship availability will be assessed.
Scholarship values are reviewed annually and subject to change.
2025-26 Merit Based Scholarships for First-Year Students that are Pennsylvania Residents
The in-state estimated cost per year before financial aid and any merit award is $24,128. This amount is based on 2024-25 charges and subject to change. Scholarships amounts are for the 2025-26 academic year and budget will be assessed yearly for continuation.
Tier | 4-point GPA* | In-State Scholarship per Year | In-State Scholarship 4-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 3.80 - 4.00 | $4,000 | $16,000 |
| Tier 2 | 3.50 - 3.79 | $3,000 | $12,000 |
| Tier 3 | 3.00 - 3.49 | $2,000 | $8,000 |
| Tier 4 | 2.50 - 2.99 | $1,500** | $6,000 |
| Tier 5 | 2.01 - 2.49 | $1,000** | $4,000 |
| *Scholarships will be awarded based on cumulative GPA at the time of application. All GPAs are converted to a 4.0 scale. **Awarded at Mansfield Only | |||
- Apply for admission to any location within Commonwealth University and complete your application, including all supporting documents, before December 15th of the student’s senior year and pay your deposit by May 1st.
- Students can only receive an In-State Scholarship or an In-State Scholarship applicable to local students - not both. Merit based scholarships cannot be stacked.
Full tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific waivers or awards may not be stacked with institutional scholarship awards and may not be used to cover fees or other costs for Commonwealth University. Partial tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific scholarship awards made through Commonwealth University may be combined, with tuition waiver employment benefits applied first, to cover up to 100% of tuition.
2025-26 Merit Based Scholarships for Local, First-Year Students Living On Campus
The in-state average estimated cost per year for first-year students living on campus before financial aid and any merit award is $24,128. This amount is based on 2024-25 charges and subject to change. Scholarship amounts are for the 2025-26 academic year and budget will be assessed yearly for continuation.
Tier | 4-point GPA* | In-State Scholarship, Local On-Campus per Year | In-State Scholarship, Local On-Campus 4-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 3.80 - 4.00 | $4,500 | $18,000 |
| Tier 2 | 3.50 - 3.79 | $3,500 | $14,000 |
| Tier 3 | 3.00 - 3.49 | $2,500 | $10,000 |
| Tier 4 | 2.50 - 2.99 | $1,500 | $6,000 |
| *Scholarships will be awarded based on cumulative GPA at the time of application. All GPAs are converted to a 4.0 scale. | |||
Commonwealth University is pleased to reward local students from participating schools/districts for your hard work by offering special scholarships based on your high school GPA to help you receive a world-class education close to home.
To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:
- Graduate from a participating school/district
- Apply for admission to the CU campus of your choice (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Clearfield), complete your application and submit your high school transcript before December 15th of your senior year and pay your deposit by May 1st.
- Students must be admissible to Commonwealth University. Certain majors, including many in the health sciences, have additional admission requirements that must be met as part of the admission review.
- To receive the scholarship amount listed below, you must live on campus. Students who choose to commute will receive a reduced scholarship award.
- Qualified students are eligible for four tiers of academic merit scholarships according to the table below. Scholarships are awarded on a first come, first served basis until available scholarship funding is exhausted.
- Students can only receive an In-State Scholarship or an In-State Scholarship applicable to local students - not both. Merit based scholarships cannot be stacked.
- Local students are those that live within 30 miles from a CU campus location (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Clearfield). Students who are local and choose to commute will have their scholarship reduced.
- Nursing, physician assistant, and other health professions programs remain selective and have additional requirements or capacities. For these programs, it is vital that students apply as early as possible to these majors to receive early consideration for admission.
Full tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific waivers or awards may not be stacked with institutional merit awards, and may not be used to cover fees or other costs for Commonwealth University. Partial tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific merit awards made through Commonwealth University may be combined, with tuition waiver employment benefits applied first, to cover up to 100% of tuition.
2025-2026 Merit Based Scholarships for First-Year Students who are PA residents and Commuting
The in-state average estimated cost per year for first-year students who commute to a CU location, before financial aid and any merit award, is $11,541. This amount is based on 2024-25 charges and is subject to change. Scholarship amounts are for the 2025-26 academic year and the budget will be assessed yearly for continuation.
Commuting means a student lives within 30 miles from their permanent home address from a CU location (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield and Clearfield). If a commuter student chooses to live on campus, their scholarship is subject to change to the corresponding amount based on their academic achievement.
Tier | 4-point GPA* | In-State Scholarship, Commuting per Year | In-State Scholarship, Commuting 4-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 3.80 - 4.00 | $2,000 | $8,000 |
| Tier 2 | 3.50 - 3.79 | $1,750 | $7,000 |
| Tier 3 | 3.00 - 3.49 | $1,500 | $6,000 |
| Tier 4 | 2.50 - 2.99 | $1,000 | $4,000 |
| *Scholarships will be awarded based on cumulative GPA at the time of application. All GPAs are converted to a 4.0 scale. | |||
Commonwealth University is pleased to reward local students from participating schools/districts for your hard work by offering special scholarships based on your high school GPA to help you receive a world-class education close to home.
To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:
- Graduate from a participating school/district
- Apply for admission to the CU campus of your choice (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Clearfield), complete your application and submit your high school transcript before December 15th of your senior year and pay your deposit by May 1st.
- Students must be admissible to Commonwealth University. Certain majors, including many in the health sciences, have additional admission requirements that must be met as part of the admission review.
- To receive the scholarship amount listed above, you must be commuting from your permanent home address. Students who choose to live on campus will receive an increased scholarship award.
- Qualified students are eligible for four tiers of academic merit scholarships according to the table below. Scholarships are awarded on a first come, first served basis until available scholarship funding is exhausted.
- Students can only receive an In-State Scholarship or an In-State Scholarship applicable to local students - not both. Merit based scholarships cannot be stacked.
- Nursing, physician assistant, and other health professions programs remain selective and have additional requirements or capacities. For these programs, it is vital that students apply as early as possible to these majors to receive early consideration for admission.
Full tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific waivers or awards may not be stacked with institutional merit awards, and may not be used to cover fees or other costs for Commonwealth University. Partial tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific merit awards made through Commonwealth University may be combined, with tuition waiver employment benefits applied first, to cover up to 100% of tuition.
2025-26 Merit Based Scholarships for Out-of-State and International First-Year Students
The out-of-state estimated cost per year for out-of-state and international first-year students before financial aid and any merit award is $35,952. This amount is based on 2024-25 charges and subject to change. Scholarships amounts are for the 2025-26 academic year and budget will be assessed yearly for continuation.
Tier | 4-point GPA* | Out-of-State Scholarship per Year | Out-of-State Scholarship 4-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 3.80 - 4.00 | $9,500 | $38,000 |
| Tier 2 | 3.50 - 3.79 | $8,500 | $34,000 |
| Tier 3 | 3.00 - 3.49 | $7,500 | $30,000 |
| Tier 4 | 2.50 - 2.99 | $6,500 | $26,000 |
| Tier 5 | 2.01 - 2.49 | $5,000 | $20,000 |
| *Scholarships will be awarded based on cumulative GPA at the time of application. All GPAs are converted to a 4.0 scale. | |||
- Apply for admission to any location within Commonwealth University and complete your application before December 15th (U.S. residents) May 15th (non-U.S. residents) of the student’s senior year.
New, first-year students residing in six New York Southern Tier counties (Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga or Tompkins) while they are enrolled at the Mansfield campus, will pay reduced PASSHE tuition and receive eligible merit awards (non-local).
- Costs and Scholarships will convert to out-of-state rates if a student transfers from the Mansfield location to Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, or Clearfield at any point before degree completion.
Full tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific waivers or awards may not be stacked with institutional scholarship awards and may not be used to cover fees or other costs for Commonwealth University. Partial tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific scholarship awards made through Commonwealth University may be combined, with tuition waiver employment benefits applied first, to cover up to 100% of tuition.
Scholarship Renewal Criteria
- These funds are available for all new first-year full-time students and will be disbursed equally between the fall and spring semesters.
- These awards will be renewed annually (up to eight consecutive fall/spring semesters). For the first year, a student must maintain a 2.0 grade point average with 24 credits completed. For the second, third, and fourth years, a student must maintain a 2.5 GPA with 24 credits completed per year.
Additional Information on Awards
- Scholarships are awarded on a first come, first served basis until available scholarship funding is exhausted.
- For military-affiliated students whose affiliation qualifies them for in-state tuition, any merit scholarship will also change to the in-state award amount.
- Nursing, physician assistant, and other health professions programs remain selective and have additional requirements or capacities. For these programs, it is vital that students apply as early as possible to these majors to receive early consideration for admission.
- Full tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific waivers or awards may not be stacked with institutional scholarship awards and may not be used to cover fees or other costs for Commonwealth University. Partial tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific scholarship awards made through Commonwealth University may be combined, with tuition waiver employment benefits applied first, to cover up to 100% of tuition.
Transfer Scholarships for Fall 2025
To guarantee scholarship eligibility for Fall 2025, be sure to complete your application, submit all college transcripts by May 15, 2025 and pay your deposit by July 1, 2025. Scholarships will be awarded based on cumulative GPA at the time of application.
Notices: Scholarship values are reviewed annually and subject to change. Scholarship funding is limited.
New Transfer Merit Scholarships: In-State
| GPA Range* | Amount |
|---|---|
| 3.50 - 4.00 | $2,500 |
| 3.00 - 3.49 | $2,000 |
| 2.50 - 2.99 | $1,500 |
| 2.00 - 2.49 | $1,000 |
*Scholarships will be awarded based on cumulative GPA at the time of application. All GPAs are converted to a 4.0 scale.
Students can only receive an In-State Transfer Scholarship or Community College Partner Transfer Scholarship – not both. Application for admission and all supporting documents must be completed and received by May 15th for all transfer students.
Full tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific waivers or awards may not be stacked with institutional scholarship awards and may not be used to cover fees or other costs for Commonwealth University. Partial tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific scholarship awards made through Commonwealth University may be combined, with tuition waiver employment benefits applied first, to cover up to 100% of tuition.
Fall 2025 New Transfer Merit Scholarships: Out-of-State and International Transfer
| GPA Range* | Amount |
|---|---|
| 3.50 - 4.00 | $9,500 |
| 3.00 - 3.49 | $7,500 |
| 2.50 - 2.99 | $6,000 |
| 2.00 - 2.49 | $5,000 |
*Scholarships will be awarded based on cumulative GPA at the time of application. All GPAs are converted to a 4.0 scale.
Application for admission and all supporting documents must be completed and received by May 15th for all transfer students.
Full tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific waivers or awards may not be stacked with institutional scholarship awards and may not be used to cover fees or other costs for Commonwealth University. Partial tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific scholarship awards made through Commonwealth University may be combined, with tuition waiver employment benefits applied first, to cover up to 100% of tuition.
Offers for Community College Partners ends after Fall 2025
Commonwealth University’s guaranteed transfer admission agreement with Bucks County Community College, Harrisburg Area Community College, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Luzerne County Community College, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, and Reading Area Community College means a seamless pathway for graduates to continue their education at one of our Commonwealth U campuses. Renewable transfer scholarships from $2,000 - $5,000 are guaranteed for qualified graduates, along with on-campus housing.
| GPA Range* | Amount |
|---|---|
| 3.50 - 4.00 | $5,000 |
| 3.00 - 3.49 | $4,000 |
| 2.50 - 2.99 | $3,000 |
| 2.00 - 2.49 | $2,000 |
*Scholarships will be awarded based on cumulative GPA at the time of application. All GPAs are converted to a 4.0 scale.
Students can only receive a Community College Partner Transfer Scholarship or an In-State Transfer Scholarship - not both.
Full tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific waivers or awards may not be stacked with institutional scholarship awards and may not be used to cover fees or other costs for Commonwealth University. Partial tuition waiver employment benefits and other institutional tuition-specific scholarship awards made through Commonwealth University may be combined, with tuition waiver employment benefits applied first, to cover up to 100% of tuition.
- Transfer scholarships are good at any CU campus for up to 7 consecutive Fall and Spring semesters, or completion of an undergrad degree – whichever comes first.
- These funds are available for all new full-time transfer students and will be disbursed equally between the fall and spring semesters.
2025 Spring Scholarships
Scholarships will be awarded based on cumulative GPA at the time of application. Scholarship values are reviewed annually and subject to change. Scholarship funding is limited.
Scholarship amounts for first-year students and new transfers will be based on the respective categories above and are worth half the amount for one semester. The full scholarship amount will be in effect for the following academic year (fall and spring semesters).
Transfers: If you are enrolled in your first semester in college for a fall semester, your college transcript will be reviewed using your final, official fall grades and cumulative college GPA.
Additional Scholarships
The University Foundations provides scholarship funding to students each year thanks to support from generous donors.
Bloomsburg University Foundation Lock Haven University Foundation Mansfield Foundation
Various scholarships are available through the PASSHE Foundation.
The Ready to Succeed Scholarship (RTSS) is administered by PHEAA. With the exception of financial need, students must meet all other Pennsylvania State Grant eligibility requirements with three additions:
- Demonstration of outstanding academic achievement by attaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 as of the time that the student’s school checks academic progress for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program (Spring for Commonwealth University).
- Completion of at least one academic year—defined as having earned at least 24 credits or its equivalent—by the time that the student’s school checks academic progress for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program (Spring for Commonwealth University).
- Proof of total annual family income not in excess of $110,000.
There is no separate student application for the RTSS program. Students will be nominated for award eligibility by approved, participating institutions. In order to be eligible, students must have completed the FAFSA and Pennsylvania State Grant forms. If any additional information is needed, the student will be contacted by PHEAA.
Students may receive up to three years of full-time RTSS awards. This can occur in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Grant award counter, meaning that a student eligible to receive up to four years of Pennsylvania State Grant funding may also receive up to three years of RTSS funding. The receipt of a RTSS award does not impact Pennsylvania State Grant eligibility. This means that a student who has exhausted the RTSS counter, but not the Pennsylvania State Grant counter, may still receive Pennsylvania State Grant funding so long as s/he meets Pennsylvania State Grant eligibility requirements. However, students who have exhausted their Pennsylvania State Grant counter are not eligible to receive RTSS funds. It should be noted that receipt of a bachelor’s degree automatically ends a student’s RTSS eligibility, even if their RTSS counter has not been fully exhausted.
The maximum combined annual award amount for RTSS and Pennsylvania State Grant is $2,000 for a full-time student. If that student receives more than $1,500 in Pennsylvania State Grant funds, they will not receive any RTSS funds. If, however, that full time student only receives $1,500 in Pennsylvania State Grant funding, they may be eligible to receive up to $500 in RTSS funds.
Learn more about our "Marching Into Success Band Scholarships" for new students attending one of the Commonwealth University campuses who also wish to participate in marching/concert bands.
The Army ROTC Scholarship is available on a competitive basis for two-year, three-year, and four-year periods. It pays tuition and fees and offers a semester stipend for materials and books, plus a monthly allowance for the duration of the scholarship. For more information, contact the Army ROTC Office.
The Air Force ROTC Scholarship program also offers financial aid opportunities.
Keystone Extraordinary Emergency Program (KEEP) – A one-time emergency grant that assists students who are experience an unexpected financial emergency. Eligibility requirements are: full-time undergraduate student, 2.0 GPA, complete FAFSA, and accepted all financial aid offerings. Student must be experiencing an unexpected financial emergency and be at risk of dropping out. KEEP may assist with food, off campus housing/utilities, travel expenses related to school and/or employment, books, laptops, medical expenses, childcare, costs associated with being the victim of a crime, and expenses related to a natural disaster. KEEP cannot cover tuition, legal fines or tickets, study abroad, health insurance, and any bill owed to the university. To apply visit https://thepafoundation.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com/.
Bloomsburg Foundation– For Bloomsburg students who are confronted with an emergency financial need and have exhausted all financial aid options, including student loans. Please note: poor use of financial aid funding, credit card debit, and enrollment in summer/winter does not constitute an emergency. To apply for emergency funding please complete the online “I Need Help Paying” application at https://bloomu.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com/.
Lock Haven Foundation - For Lock Haven students who are confronted with an emergency financial need and have exhausted all financial aid options, including student loans. Please contact Mike Hall, 570-484-2424, mhall@commonwealthu.edu. Please note funding is extremely limited.
Mansfield Foundation – For Mansfield students who are confronted with an emergency financial need and have exhausted all financial aid options, including student loans. Please submit a brief summary of your emergency situation to Amanda Kern at akern@commonwealthu.edu. Please note funding is extremely limited.
The Dean of Students office has additional resources such as Campus Cupboard, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and textbook assistance. More information can be found at https://www.commonwealthu.edu/offices-directory/dean-students.
Your high school guidance office personnel are often very knowledgeable about scholarships though local sources such as service and fraternal clubs, industry, religious organizations, teachers' associations, foundation, PTAs and more. We encourage you to explore the myriad of scholarship opportunities available from your high school, as well as religious, civic, and community organizations.
Online Scholarship Search Websites:
fastweb.com
scholarships.com
College Board Big Future
Cappex.com
Already received a scholarship from an outside organization? Make sure to let us know and submit your scholarship checks and award letters to the Student Billing Office on your intended campus. Please be sure to include your name and student ID number when mailing any items to campus.
Contact
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