Does Penn State offer scholarships for international students?

I'm considering applying to Penn State and was wondering if they have any scholarships specifically for international students. Are they competitive, and what criteria do I need to meet to qualify?

Penn State does indeed offer scholarships for international students. These are typically merit-based and highly competitive due to the vast pool of talented international students applying.

One popular scholarship program at Penn State for international students is the Provost Award. The award is given based on academic excellence and a strong admissions application. However, the exact criteria, such as GPA or standardized test scores, are not explicitly stated. This is typical because merit-based scholarships holistically assess applicants, focusing not merely on academic achievements but also on factors like leadership, community involvement, and personal essays.

As for the competitiveness of these scholarships, while Penn State does not publicly release specific statistics on the number of applicants versus the number of recipients for their international scholarships, it's safe to say they are highly competitive given the size and reach of the university's international community.

Lastly, make sure to mark your application for consideration for the scholarships before the priority filing date, which is typically in early December. Finalize your application well in advance of the deadline to ensure that you are in the running for these scholarship opportunities.

Remember to take advantage of other scholarship search tools and opportunities as well. There can be external resources that offer scholarships to international students studying in the United States, so make sure to conduct a comprehensive search for all possible funding sources. Good luck!