Bloomsburg student, Alice Obando-Salinas sitting on a couch.

External Scholarships

Commonwealth University encourages students to explore scholarship opportunities awarded by external sources. These scholarships — typically funded by businesses, foundations, and community organizations — can help reduce the cost of your education and lessen reliance on student loans.

Did you know? Attending Commonwealth University can cost significantly less than many other state and private colleges — sometimes even two to three times less? That makes CU an exceptional value for earning your degree. See how our total costs compare to other institutions.

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External Scholarship Opportunities

Grow PA Scholarships

Act 89 of 2024 established two new scholarship programs to provide more opportunities for students to pursue affordable post-secondary education and career preparation programs.

For information about these exciting new scholarships, visit our Grow PA Scholarship Grant page and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency's (PHEAA) Grow PA Tuition Waiver Program page.

Grow PA Scholarships Flyer

Discover music scholarships for new Commonwealth University students who want to be part of our marching and concert bands.

PACAC Scholarships are for high school seniors graduating from PACAC member schools. This scholarship is intended to support a student's goal of continuing their education.

Application Deadline: February 3, 2025 — Apply Today!

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Foundation provides scholarships to students across Pennsylvania’s State System universities.

The PSECU Scholarship program allows students to focus on their education rather than their finances. Winners receive a $2,000 scholarship every year over the next four years for a total scholarship value of up to $8,000 per student. Scholarship winners must remain enrolled as active students throughout their college education to maintain and receive their scholarship funds.

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025 — Apply Today!

The PA Ready to Succeed Scholarship (RTSS) Program is administered by PHEAA in close cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The program, which is funded by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, provides awards to high-achieving students whose annual family income does not exceed $175,000.

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. For more information, contact the Air Force ROTC Office.

Each year, our University Foundations proudly provide scholarship support to students, made possible through the generosity of our dedicated donors. Their contributions help open doors to educational opportunities and make a lasting impact on the lives of our students.

Emergency Scholarships

The Keystone Extraordinary Emergency Program (KEEP) is designed to help increase student retention, persistence, and graduation rates by offering immediate financial assistance to students facing unexpected financial hardship. Through one-time emergency grants of $1,000 or less, the program supports students who might otherwise be forced to withdraw.

In accordance with the requirements set by the program's initial funder, eligible expenses must fall outside of routine academic costs — such as tuition, fees, room, and board.

The Bloomsburg University Foundation provides emergency financial support to students facing unexpected hardship after all other financial aid options, including student loans, have been exhausted.

Please note: Emergency funds are not available for situations such as poor use of financial aid, credit card debt, or enrollment in summer or winter sessions. Funding is extremely limited.

To apply for emergency assistance, complete the "I Need Help Paying" application.

If you have questions about your financial aid please email financialaid@commonwealthu.edu or call 570-389-4297, for billing and payment questions email studentbilling@commonwealthu.edu or call 570-389-4013.

The Lock Haven University Foundation provides emergency financial support to students facing unexpected hardship after all other financial aid options, including student loans, have been exhausted.

Please note: Emergency funds are not available for situations such as poor use of financial aid, credit card debt, or enrollment in summer or winter sessions. Funding is extremely limited.

Please contact Mike Hall at mhall@commonwealthu.edu or 570-484-2424 for application information or questions.

The Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation provides emergency financial support to students facing unexpected hardship after all other financial aid options, including student loans, have been exhausted.

Please note: Emergency funds are not available for situations such as poor use of financial aid, credit card debt, or enrollment in summer or winter sessions. Funding is extremely limited.

To apply, please submit a brief summary of your emergency situation to Amanda Kern at akern@commonwealthu.edu.

The Office of the Dean of Students offers additional student resources such as Campus Cupboard, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and textbook assistance.

Additional Scholarship Information

Visit our main Scholarships page to learn more about available scholarships.

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.