Scholarships

University Scholarships are the most common type of merit award and are primarily based on academic performance in high school. Criteria include weighted grade point average, rigor of curriculum (AP/IB/Honors courses), and class rank (if applicable).  In addition, various non-numerical, holistic factors, as presented in the personal statement or Common Application essay, that describe the candidate’s background are also a part of the review process. These holistic factors allow for a diverse and multi-talented student body.  Holistic criteria may include exceptional and unique talents; commitment to community service and leadership; significant family, job, or community responsibility; and contributions to cultural, economic, or racial diversity. Please note, SAT/ACT results are not used in the scholarship review process.

Number, Value, and Term of University Scholarships
University Scholarships range from $2,000 per year to $20,000 per year. University Scholarships are available for four years/eight semesters of undergraduate study provided the recipient maintains a 3.00 cumulative grade point average and meets all other terms and conditions of the award. Learn more about requirements governing University Scholarships.

Notification of Award
Due to the competitiveness of University Scholarships, most admitted students are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee several times before a final decision is made. As a result, those students selected to receive an award will be notified anytime between late-October and March 1 regardless of date admitted.  Only students who are selected to receive an award will be notified.

Eligibility Requirements

• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

Diversity Scholarships
In line with the University of Pittsburgh’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion, several merit-based diversity scholarships, known as Cathedral of Learning Scholarships, are offered to select students. Criteria include weighted grade point average, rigor of curriculum (AP/IB/Honors courses), and class rank (if applicable).  In addition to the assessment of numerical academic requirements are those holistic factors, as presented in the personal statement or Common Application essay, which allow for a diverse and multi-talented student body.   Holistic criteria may include, but are not limited to, exceptional and unique talents; commitment to community service and leadership; significant family, job, or community responsibility; and contributions to cultural, economic, racial diversity. Please note, SAT/ACT results are not used in the scholarship review process.

Number, Value, and Term of University Scholarships
Cathedral of Learning Scholarships range from $5,000 per year to those covering full tuition. Cathedral of Learning Scholarships are available for four years/eight semesters of undergraduate study provided the recipient maintains a 3.00 cumulative grade point average and meets all other terms and conditions of the award. Learn more about requirements governing University Scholarships.

Notification of Award
Due to the competitiveness of the Cathedral of Learning Scholarships, most admitted students and their credentials are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee several times before a final decision is made. As a result, those students selected to receive an award will be notified anytime between late-October and March 1 regardless of date admitted.  Only students who are selected to receive an award will be notified.

Eligibility Requirements

• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

In addition, Pitt also awards several academic scholarships covering tuition, mandatory fees, and room/board to talented students from underrepresented groups who demonstrate academic excellence and potential for scholarly contributions to the University community. Based on a student’s academic record and supplemental information, select candidates will be invited to interview with the Scholarship Committee for the following full scholarships:

• Donald Henderson Scholarship: students admitted to the Swanson School of Engineering
• Helen Faison Scholarship: students admitted to the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
• Robert Lavelle Scholarship: students admitted to the College of Business Administration
• Adena Davis Scholarship: students admitted to the School of Nursing

Select Henderson, Faison, Lavelle, and Davis Scholarship candidates will receive an interview invitation by March 1.  Recipients will be notified of their selection by April 1.

PittFund$Me connects you with real, relevant scholarships. As a current Pitt student, you can log into PittFund$Me – hosted on the Scholarship Universe system – and answer a series of profile questions. The adaptive matching engine will display scholarship opportunities that are tailored to you. And don’t worry – you’ll only see institutional scholarships and vetted outside scholarships so you can be confident as you submit your scholarship applications.

You’ll be able to manage all of your applications right in a personalized dashboard – and we’ll even post alerts for new scholarships that might be interesting to you.

You have to own the scholarship search process – and we know it’s important to you. That’s why we want to help make it as easy as possible for you to feel totally in control.

The Chancellor’s Scholarship is one of the University of Pittsburgh’s most prestigious awards. Awarded to incoming first-year students admitted to Pitt Honors, Chancellor’s Scholars receive the individualized attention of an academically demanding small college along with the scholarly advantages of a major research university.

Scholarship Details
The Chancellor’s Scholarship is a four year undergraduate award covering:

• Full tuition
• Mandatory fees
• Average room and board plan
• Guaranteed Pitt Honors housing

Eligibility Requirements

• Candidates must meet the December 1 Pitt Honors application deadline and be admitted into Pitt Honors
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Must be an incoming first-year student
• Must maintain full-time enrollment at the Pittsburgh campus

Selection Process
No more than 50 students admitted to Pitt Honors will be invited to an on-campus interview with the Chancellor’s Scholarship Selection Committee consisting of the Pitt Honors dean, director of advising, and academic advisors.

Selections for interviews are competitively based on a candidate’s high school academic record (submitted as part of the application for admission), results of the SAT/ACT (if applicable), and quality of the required PittHonors application essay questions. In addition, the Selection Committee will also seek an interview pool fairly representing the incoming class as demonstrated by academic schools/majors and demographics including residency, gender, ethnic diversity, etc.

Interview notifications will be sent in early-February and interviews will take place throughout the month of March. Only those candidates invited to the on-campus interviews will be notified. Those participants in the Chancellor’s Scholarship interview process are notified of their final status no later than mid-April. Each year, approximately 15 members of the incoming class are recipients of this competitive scholarship.

Scholarship Renewal Requirements
The Chancellor’s Scholarship can be used for four years/eight semesters of full-time undergraduate study at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus. To renew the scholarship on an annual basis, recipients must:

• Remain enrolled as a full-time student (minimum of 12 credits per semester)
• Maintain a 3.00 cumulative grade point average
• See our University Scholarship Guidelines for further requirements

Scholarships are awards provided by the University or outside organizations that do not need to be repaid. They are typically based on academic achievement. International freshmen will be automatically reviewed for scholarships provided they apply before February 1.

Eligibility
International freshmen who apply before February 1 will be reviewed for international student scholarships. International transfer students are not eligible for scholarship consideration.

Application Procedure
Students interested in being reviewed for scholarships must submit a completed application for admission and supporting credentials by February 1 at the latest. Students meeting that deadline are automatically reviewed for scholarships. The Committee makes decisions weekly on a rolling basis. Therefore, if you would like to increase your chances for scholarships, it is in your best interest to apply early.

Students who are selected to receive a scholarship will be notified by April 1.

There is not a separate scholarship application for University of Pittsburgh academic scholarships, though if you wish to be considered for scholarships you will be required to complete the Short Answer Question.

Value and Term
Scholarships for international students amount to $2,000 per year and are generally available for eight full time undergraduate terms, provided the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA and meets all of the other terms and conditions of the specific award. Learn more about requirements governing University of Pittsburgh academic scholarships.

What is the Tuition Exchange organization?
The University of Pittsburgh is a member of The Tuition Exchange which is a reciprocal scholarship program that allows dependent children of our faculty and staff to apply for competitive scholarships to other participating member institutions. The Tuition Exchange (TE) Scholarship organization requires that participating institutions maintain a balance between the number of students enrolled at host institutions (exported) with a TE scholarship and the number of students from other member schools who are enrolled at the home institution (imported) and supported with a TE scholarship. As a member, the University of Pittsburgh agrees to abide by the national policies and practices of the organization.

More Information about Tuition Exchange

Transfer scholarships are based on outstanding academic achievement, leadership experiences, and scholarly contributions to the college/university community. All transfer students are considered for University of Pittsburgh scholarships, when they complete the Short Answer Questions.

Deadlines and Notification of Award

Incoming University of Pittsburgh transfer students should apply by October 1 for the Spring Semester (Awarded by December 1) and May 1 for fall consideration (Awarded by June 1).

Recipient Profile

Strong candidates will possess a minimum average GPA of 3.0 Due to the competitiveness of University Scholarships, most admitted students and their credentials are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee several times before a final decision is made.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Transfer and continuing students are encouraged to seek possible scholarship funding through the University’s scholarship database, PittFund$Me.

The Nordenberg Leadership Scholars Program is designed to reward the best and brightest student leaders from high schools in Pennsylvania who have demonstrated excellent leadership skills, innovative thinking, intellectual curiosity, and community involvement.

Nordenberg Leadership Scholars are provided with the resources for a rich collegiate experience with opportunities for academic achievement, leadership development, civic engagement, and interaction with organizations and corporations in the Pittsburgh region.

Scholarship Details
Each year, up to five graduating high school seniors from Pennsylvania will be selected to participate in the four-year program. Nordenberg Leadership Scholars will each receive a full-tuition scholarship for eight terms which may include one international experience as well as assistance with securing internship positions throughout their time at Pitt.

Eligibility Requirements

• Pennsylvania residency
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Full-time enrollment at the Pittsburgh campus
• Complete the Nordenberg Leadership Scholars application process

Application Process
Candidates must submit the PA Scholars application and a completed application for admission no later than December 1.

Selection Process
Representatives of the University of Pittsburgh Office of Admissions and Financial Aid and the Division of Student Affairs will interview a select number of semifinalists by March 1. Recipients of the Nordenberg Leadership Scholarships will be notified of their selection on or before April 1.

Scholarship Renewal Requirements
The Nordenberg Leadership Scholarship can be used for four years/eight semesters of full-time undergraduate study at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh campus. To renew the scholarship on an annual basis, recipients must:

• Remain enrolled as a full-time student (minimum of 12 credits per semester)
• Maintain a 3.00 cumulative grade point average

In partnership with the Stamps Scholars Program, the University of Pittsburgh is proud to offer the prestigious and generous Stamps Scholarship to five incoming first-year students from Pennsylvania. As a University of Pittsburgh Stamps Scholar, recipients will be provided with a comprehensive understanding of leadership from a domestic and global perspective.

Scholarship Details
Valued in excess of $160,000, the Stamps Scholarship is a four year undergraduate award covering:

• Full tuition
• Mandatory fees
• Room and board

The scholarship also includes:

• An allowance for books and supplies, transportation expenses, and personal costs
• Access to an enrichment fund of up to $17,400 to be used over four years for the purpose of study abroad, unpaid internships, leadership training, research, and other academic experiences

Eligibility Requirements

• Pennsylvania residency
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Full-time enrollment at the Pittsburgh campus
• Demonstrated leadership, scholarship, service, perseverance and innovation

Application Process
Candidates must submit the PA Scholars application and a completed application for admission no later than December 1.

Selection Process
The University of Pittsburgh will interview up to 32 Stamps Scholarship Semifinalists by March 1. Finalists will then be interviewed by representatives of the Stamps Scholars Program who will make the final selection of five recipients. Recipients of the Stamps Scholarships will be notified of their selection on or before April 1.

Scholarship Renewal Requirements
The Stamps Scholarship can be used for four years/eight semesters of full-time undergraduate study at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh campus. To renew the scholarship on an annual basis, recipients must:

• Remain enrolled as a full-time student (minimum of 12 credits per semester)
• Maintain a 3.00 cumulative grade point average