Financial Assistance
Student financial aid through the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences is well in excess of a half-million dollars each year. This is in addition to funds available through Penn State and the various departments. The College has three primary financial aid sources: the Dean's Freshman Scholarship, College Scholarships, and the Matthew J. Wilson Loan. These are available to all students in the College, regardless of their campus of enrollment. See below for details. For information about department scholarships, contact your department office. Requirements for department scholarships may be more or less stringent.

A long list of organizations offering scholarships and other financial aid is maintained here.

The College also has several academic award competitions. One-time monetary awards for scholarly acheivement are given to exceptional students at the Wilson Awards Banquet each Spring.

Dean's Freshman Scholarship
Freshmen entering the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences are automatically considered for a Dean's Freshman Scholarship; no separate application is required. These awards range from $500 to $2,500. Each year, approximately 60 percent of our freshmen receive awards. The awards are granted based on the student's high school academic record and their performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). In general, a high school GPA of 3.70 or higher on a 4.00 scale and a combined SAT score of 1250 or higher are the minimum scores needed to qualify for a Dean's Freshman award. FRESHMAN AWARDS ARE FOR THE FRESHMAN YEAR ONLY.

College Scholarships
Scholarships for the sophomore through senior years are awarded on the basis of academic excellence. Annually, more than $400,000 in scholarship support is granted. Contact the Student Center for more information. Apply online here.

Matthew J. Wilson Loan Fund
Low-interest loans are available to entering freshmen as well as upperclassmen. Repayment is not required until after graduation. Currently, no interest accrues until graduation. After graduation, the University assesses a six percent simple interest rate on these loans. The College, subject to the approval of the University Financial Aid Office, grants these loans. To apply for a Wilson Loan, write to or visit the Office of the Dean, 116 Deike Building, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802.