Scholarships

Slippery Rock University (SRU) offers a variety of student scholarships based on factors such as academic merit, athletic performance, leadership, community involvement, and financial need. Scholarships provide funding that does not have to be repaid, making your degree more affordable. Some SRU scholarships involve an application process, while others are awarded when a student applies to Slippery Rock or is majoring in a particular campus department. 

In addition, outside foundations also offer scholarship opportunities for students attending an institution of higher education. Some outside opportunities are listed under the Outside Scholarship and Students with Disabilities listed on the left side of this page.

Our scholarship lists are updated on a regular basis, so the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships encourages SRU students to check these pages regularly for new scholarships.

International Students: Scholarships specifically for international students are listed under the Global Engagement Office Scholarship page.

Pennsylvania Commonwealth Employee Scholarship

Applications for fall 2023 will open June 1, 2023 with an application deadline of August 4, 2023 at 5 pm.  Applicants can be spouses or dependents of current employees of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania such as the State Police, Human Relations Commission and other departments within the Commonwealth.  A list of departments can be found at this link at the PA Employee Resource Center.  This scholarship is first come, first served.  Students must be in good academic standing which is 2.0 cumulative GPA for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduates.  The scholarship goes towards tuition, room and meals.  The amount is up to $2,000 per academic year for full-time students and up to $1,000 per academic year for part-time students.  The application can be found at the Pennsylvania System of Higher Education Foundation web site.

First-Year Scholarships for Incoming Fall 2023 Students

Slippery Rock offers a variety of scholarships to incoming first-year students. In order to be considered for all opportunities, incoming students should consider this helpful scholarship checklist.

• Apply for admission. Eighty-six percent of SRU’s academic scholarships are awarded solely on information provided to the University during the admission and financial aid process. Please note that Slippery Rock University is now test-optional.
• Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov. The FAFSA opens every year on October 1st. We encourage all students to complete the FAFSA in early fall. Some of the Slippery Rock University scholarships do include a need-based component.
• Review additional information on the First-Year Scholarships page.
• Scholarships currently open for Freshmen:
  • Art Majors: Complete the SRU Art Scholarship Application by April 30th.  Students will be asked to attach one page describing academic and art goals which should include accomplishments, activities and exhibitions which involve the arts.  Students will also be asked to attach a pdf portfolio of the six best art works in any medium.
  • Freshmen Community Service Scholarships: awarded to students who have completed community service in high school. The deadline for these scholarships is April 28, 2023. Freshmen Community Service Scholarship Application
  • PASSHE M&T Bank Scholarship: awarded to students who demonstrate financial need, are enrolled as a full-time student, and are in the top 25 percent of their H.S. graduating class. Students must reside in Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Allegheny, Butler, Armstrong, Beaver, Fayette, Washington, or Westmoreland County. The application can be found at the Pennsylvania System of Higher Education Foundation web site.
• Students interested in Athletic Scholarships must discuss scholarship opportunities with the team coach. Contact the Athletics Office for further information.

Scholarships for Students Returning in Fall 2023

Undergraduate or graduate students who will be returning for courses or internships in fall 2023 should follow this information.

• Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov. The FAFSA opens every year on October 1st. We encourage all students to complete the FAFSA in early fall. Some of the Slippery Rock University scholarships do include a need-based component.
• Review the opportunities available from the Slippery Rock University Alumni Association. These  endowed scholarships are open to undergraduate and graduate students. Alumni applications open in late October and are due in late November.
• Review the information under Returning Undergraduate Scholarships or Graduate Scholarships. Check for scholarships under your college, major and miscellaneous. Most scholarships have deadlines between January 1 and April 1. Listed below are scholarships that are currently available:
  • Grace Anna Boggs '71 Memorial Scholarship deadline is April 28th. Click on Returning Undergraduate Scholarships, then select the College of Health Professions tab for more information.
  • Grace Hildebrand Allen Scholarship deadline is May 1st. Click on Returning Undergraduate Scholarships, then select the Miscellaneous tab, then select the Additional SRU Scholarship Opportunities tab for more information.
  • SGA Endowed Scholarship deadline is June 30th. Click on Returning Undergraduate Scholarships, then select the Miscellaneous tab, then select the Additional SRU Scholarship Opportunities tab for more information.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships often adds new scholarships to this section of the site so current SRU students are encouraged to seek out their scholarship options each year they are enrolled. In addition to the scholarships listed on this page, SRU also offers merit scholarships for transfer students and encourages high-achieving students to apply for nationally distinguished scholarships and fellowships.