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Scholarships and financial assistance

Pitt State offers its students many opportunities for scholarships & financial assistance. 

We understand that, as a student, your focus should be on the classroom and not on the paperwork. The professionals in our Office of Student Financial Assistance are here to provide you with the information you need to make the right choices about financial aid.

Nearly 80% of Pitt State students receive some sort of financial aid, including:

  • Grants: assistance that does not require repayment
  • Scholarships: awards for students who have demonstrated superior academic achievement or meet specific criteria, which do not require repayment
  • Employment: about 10% of our students are employed on campus
  • Loans: loans can be made to parents and/or students, and must be repaid

In many cases, our student financial assistance professionals can help you combine these options into a personal package that fits your individual need. The amount of assistance you receive is based upon your family’s expected contribution to your educational costs.

Apply early

We encourage you to apply early and to take advantage of the support that is available for you - application opens October 1.

The final scholarships deadline for incoming freshmen and transfer students is based on the availability of the funds. It's never too late to apply – funds are often available up to the start of the semester.

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Scholarships

Attention Fall 2024 applicants: The deadline for scholarship applications has been extended to March 1.

Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen

Award Amounts Details Due
Great Gorilla Scholarships (Academic Achievement) $1,000 - $4,000 per year Based on your cumulative high school GPA. Renewable for three additional years. February 1
Alumni Legacy License Plate Scholarship Amounts vary Parent/Grandparent must be a PSU graduate;
minimum 21 ACT or 3.0 GPA; first time enrolling in PSU
February 1
Departmental awards and scholarships Amounts vary Contact the department of your major to see if a separate application is required
Department contacts
View all departmental scholarships
February 1
PSU Campus-wide general scholarships Amounts vary

Requirements vary - apply for general scholarships

February 1

Note: All applications will be considered for scholarships. Funds are often available up to the start of the semester. Priority is given to applications submitted early. 

Scholarships for Incoming Transfer Students

Award Amounts Details Due date
Great Gorilla Scholarship Program (Academic Achievement) $1,000 Minimum 3.0 cumulative college GPA and 24 transferable hours earned after high school graduation February 1
Alumni Legacy License Plate Scholarship Amounts vary Parent/Grandparent must be a PSU graduate; minimum 21 ACT or 3.0 GPA; first time enrolling in PSU February 1
Departmental awards and scholarships Amounts vary Contact the department of your major to see if a separate application is required
Department contacts
View all departmental scholarships
February 1
Kansas All-State Academic Team $1,000 Member of the Kansas All-State Academic Team sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa and the Kansas Association of Community Colleges Current year selection
Phi Theta Kappa $500 Phi Theta Kappa member; proof of membership required February 1
PSU Campus-wide general scholarships Amounts vary Requirements vary - apply for general scholarships February 1

Note: All applications will be considered for scholarships. Funds are often available up to the start of the semester. Priority is given to applications submitted early.

Scholarships for Current Students

There are many scholarship opportunities for current students. Current students must apply or re-apply for scholarships every year to be considered. Deadline is February 1.

Additionally, there may be scholarship opportunities available through your college, departments, and/or industry. Please contact your adviser or a department of your majors for more information.

Pitt State Campus-wide general scholarships

Departmental Scholarships

Honors College Awards

Award Amounts Deadline
Presidential Award $9,500/year; $2,000 study abroad stipend January 15
University Award $4,500/year; $2,000 study abroad stipend January 15
Crimson & Gold Award $1,000/year; $2,000 study abroad stipend January 15

Deadline to apply for entering freshman is January 15th prior to the fall semester in which the student will enter Pittsburg State.

To apply, a student must first meet the following:
1. Must be a new incoming freshman
2. ACT composite score of 28 or higher OR SAT composite score of 1310 or higher; AND
3. Complete the pre-college curriculum with at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)

The Pre-college Curriculum as established by the Kansas Board of Regents includes:

  • 4 units of English
  • 4 units of Math (Nothing below Algebra I will be accepted)
  • 3 units of Natural Science (One unit must be Physics or Chemistry)
  • 3 units of Social Science
  • 3 units of electives

Visit Honors College web page

Programs for Out-of-State Students

Award Amounts Details
Gorilla Advantage In-state Tuition Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin residents
Alumni Legacy Tuition Program 150% of In-State Tuition Parent/grandparent must be a Pitt State graduate; applies in states NOT covered by Gorilla Advantage: Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Washington DC, and Wyoming residents

Scholarships for International Students

Award Amounts Details
Gorilla International Scholarship Up to $6,000; renewable See details and how to apply
Undergraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship $1,000; one-time See details and how to apply
Intensive English Program Academic Excellence Scholarship $1,000; one-time See details and how to apply
Honors College Scholarship $4,500 - $9,500 See details and how to apply
Legacy Scholarship Program 150% of in-state tuition See details and how to apply
International Advocate Scholarship $1,000; renewable See details and how to apply
Malaysian High Achiever Scholarship $1,000; renewable See details and how to apply
Malaysian Technology Major Scholarship In-State tuition See details and how to apply
Paraguay-Kansas In-State Tuition Waiver In-State tuition See details and how to apply
Tsang-Hsun Tsai and Ching-Hui Huang Scholarship $150; renewable See details and how to apply
Samuel J. Pease & William R. Herr Foreign Student Scholarship $1,000; renewable See details and how to apply
Graduate Assistantship 20 hrs/week See details and how to apply
General University Scholarships & Academic Department Scholarships Amounts vary See details and how to apply

On-Campus Employment

Award Amounts Details
Federal Work Study Up to $3,500/yr. Students with financial need
Pitt State Student Employment Minimum wage, up to 20 hrs/week Open to all students

Visit Career Development web page

Grants

Award Amounts Details Deadline
Federal Pell Grant Up to $7,395/year Students with financial need February 1
Federal Supplemental Grant $200 - $400 Students with financial need February 1
Kansas Comprehensive Grant Up to $2,000/year Kansas residency; based on income February 1
Federal Teach Grant Up to $4,000/year Undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students preparing to teach in a high-need field may be eligible. Contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for more information February 1

Loans

Award Amounts Details Deadline
Graduate Federal Stafford Loans-unsubsidized Up to $20,500 Financial need not required February 1
Federal Stafford Loans-subsidized Up to $5,500; depends on class standing Students with financial need February 1
Federal Stafford Loans-unsubsidized Up to $5,500; depends on class standing Financial need not required February 1
Nursing Student Loan Up to $2,500 Admission to Nursing program; students with financial need February 1
Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Amounts vary For parents borrowing on behalf of dependent undergraduate students February 1
Non-federal Private Loans Amounts vary

Financial need not required.
For students or parents borrowing on behalf of child.
Based on borrower's credit

Compare Lenders

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Applying for General Scholarships

Incoming Freshmen and Transfer Students

  • For incoming freshmen, submit ACT/SAT scores, high school cumulative GPA and class rank to Pitt State (Self-reported information is not used for scholarship purposes.)
  • For transfer students, send all college transcripts to Pitt State
  • Apply for admission and scholarships online by February 1st. If you completed a paper application for admission, complete a separate scholarship application
  • Applications received after February 1 will be considered only if funds remain available

Current students

  • Must apply or re-apply for General Scholarships every year to be considered. Apply every year by February 1 for first consideration
  • Apply or Re-Apply for General Scholarships (Current Students)
  • Applications received after February 1 will be considered only if funds remain available

Great Gorilla Scholarship Program

Many incoming freshmen and transfer students who apply to Pittsburg State University are eligible for the Great Gorilla Scholarship Program that honors their academic achievements. This program does not require an application.

Academic achievement awards for new freshmen - new incoming freshmen (most recent high school graduates only) who have applied for admission and completed their admission file (submitted their high school transcript), with a minimum GPA of 2.85 are eligible for at least $1,000 per year. The scholarship is divided between the fall and spring semesters and renewable for three additional years for full time students if satisfactory academic progress is made. See more here

Academic achievement awards for transfer students - students transferring from an accredited college, university, or community college, who have applied for admission and completed their admission file (submitted all required college transcripts), with a minimum college GPA of 3.0 are eligible for $1,000. This award is renewable for one additional year. Please note: any student with college credit taken after high school graduation as part of a degree-seeking program is considered a transfer student. 

Deadlines

There are three important dates for every student to remember:

  • October 1 - Application for Pitt State Scholarships opens
  • January 15 - Application deadline for Honors College Scholarships
  • March 1 - Application deadline for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Frequently Asked Questions

Scholarships

Who is eligible?

Scholarship requirements vary widely, but generally, you will need a minimum 22 ACT score and a 3.2 GPA.

How do I apply for scholarships?

There are many different scholarships available for students at Pitt State.

    • New Pitt State students: students who are new to Pittsburg State must complete the Admission and Scholarship Application in order to be considered.  
    • Current Pitt State students: current students must apply or re-apply for General Scholarships each year in order to be considered. Apply for a scholarship every year by November 1.
    • Departmental Scholarships: Contact the department of your major to see if a separate application is required
    • Department contacts
    • View all departmental scholarships
    • Honors College Scholarships: these scholarships require a separate application and have a deadline of January 15. Honors College Scholarships cannot be considered unless a student has (1) applied for admission – including the $30 fee, (2) submitted a transcript(s), and (3) submitted ACT score(s).

Is there a deadline for scholarship applications?

Yes. The deadline for all general scholarships at Pitt State is February 1.

How will I be notified?

Scholarship recipients will receive an award letter after April 1.

Are family finances considered?

Most scholarships are awarded on a merit basis. Some scholarships include financial need as a requirement.

Are scholarship awards renewable?

It depends upon the scholarship. You should apply for scholarships each year to ensure that you receive the maximum award for which you are eligible.

Do I have to apply for scholarships every year even if I am a current Pitt State student?

Yes, to be considered for scholarships you must apply or re-apply for general scholarships every year. Departmental scholarships may require a separate application. Please contact the respective department chair for application procedures.

Can I update my scholarship application?

Yes.  Access the scholarship application, login to GUS, and make the necessary changes.  Updates should be done by February 1.

Financial Assistance

How do I apply?

As soon as possible after October 1 of your senior year, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. (PSU’s Federal School Code is 001926.) Within 3-5 days, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) via email. The Office of Student Financial Assistance will receive your application electronically and will contact you if additional information or documentation is needed. Be sure to watch your e-mail for information.

Is there a deadline?

Yes. The priority deadline is March 1.

How will I be notified?

Once your application is processed, you will be notified via e-mail and provided instructions on how to accept your awards online. Make sure to check your e-mail often, in case we need additional information from you.