4) Does Penn State have programs or initiatives to assist students who fall into the bottom 20% of household income group in the country to successfully complete their studies?

Yes, Penn State has programs to help students from low-income groups to complete their studies. A University-wide initiative, called “Achieve Penn State,” helps students and families by removing obstacles to graduation, lowering debt, and shortening time to degree. Part of this initiative is “Complete Penn State,” which provides seniors facing financial obstacles with academic and financial resources to help them complete their degree. The Penn State Chaiken Student Center for Success also provides financial, academic, career, and mentorship opportunities for first-generation and liberal arts students to help complete their studies. The Comprehensive Studies Program at Penn State provides access and retention support to Pennsylvania students with high academic potential, meeting economic criteria, and often being first-generation college students. The university also participates in various Federal TRIO Programs, which assist low-income, first-generation, and disabled individuals from middle school through post-baccalaureate education. Additionally, the Penn State Millennium Scholars Program supports academically strong high school seniors aiming for doctoral degrees in science or engineering, promoting diversity in research fields.

The programs within Achieve Penn State are designed to help remove obstacles undergraduates may face on the path to a Penn State degree. These programs include:

Pathway to Success: Summer Start (PaSSS), which helps entering students to make the transition to Penn State during the summer before their first year.
Student Transitional Experiences Program (STEP), which supports students making the junior-year transition to the University Park campus from another Penn State campus.
The Mentoring Program within the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center, which pairs students with a financial literacy mentor.
RaiseMe, which enables high school students to earn micro-scholarships toward their Penn State education.
Complete Penn State, within the Student Success Center, connects students to critical and timely resources as they strive towards completing the final requirements of their Penn State degree.
Smart Track to Success, which supports incoming World Campus students in becoming engaged members of the World Campus community.

Krista Bailey2026-03-04T13:02:00-05:00February 14, 2025|

@sustainpsu

4) Does Penn State have programs or initiatives to assist students who fall into the bottom 20% of household income group in the country to successfully complete their studies?

4) Does Penn State have programs or initiatives to assist students who fall into the bottom 20% of household income group in the country to successfully complete their studies?