Scholarships and financial assistance

Pitt State offers its students many opportunities for scholarships & financial assistance. 

We understand that, as a student, your focus should be on the classroom and not on the paperwork. The professionals in our Office of Student Financial Assistance are here to provide you with the information you need to make the right choices about financial aid.

Nearly 80% of Pitt State students receive some sort of financial aid, including:

• Grants: assistance that does not require repayment
• Scholarships: awards for students who have demonstrated superior academic achievement or meet specific criteria, which do not require repayment
• Employment: about 10% of our students are employed on campus
• Loans: loans can be made to parents and/or students, and must be repaid

In many cases, our student financial assistance professionals can help you combine these options into a personal package that fits your individual need. The amount of assistance you receive is based upon your family’s expected contribution to your educational costs.

New: Academic Awards

Scholarships

Frequently Asked Questions

We encourage you to apply early and to take advantage of the support that is available for you - application opens October 1.

The final scholarships deadline for incoming freshmen and transfer students is based on the availability of the funds. It's never too late to apply – funds are often available up to the start of the semester.

The 2025-26 application is now available! The priority date to February 1, 2025. 

Applying for General Scholarships

Incoming Freshmen and Transfer Students

• For incoming freshmen, submit ACT/SAT scores, high school cumulative GPA and class rank to Pitt State (Self-reported information is not used for scholarship purposes.)
  
• For transfer students, send all college transcripts to Pitt State
  
• Apply for admission and scholarships online by February 1st. If you completed a paper application for admission, complete a separate scholarship application
• Applications received after February 1 will be considered only if funds remain available

Current students

• Must apply or re-apply for General Scholarships every year to be considered. Apply every year by February 1 for first consideration
  
• Apply or Re-Apply for General Scholarships (Current Students)
• Applications received after February 1 will be considered only if funds remain available

Great Gorilla Scholarship Program

Many incoming freshmen and transfer students who apply to Pittsburg State University are eligible for the Great Gorilla Scholarship Program that honors their academic achievements. This program does not require an application.

Academic achievement awards for new freshmen - new incoming freshmen (most recent high school graduates only) who have applied for admission and completed their admission file (submitted their high school transcript), with a minimum GPA of 2.85 are eligible for at least $1,000 per year. The scholarship is divided between the fall and spring semesters and renewable for three additional years for full time students if satisfactory academic progress is made. See more here. 

Academic achievement awards for transfer students - students transferring from an accredited college, university, or community college, who have applied for admission and completed their admission file (submitted all required college transcripts), with a minimum college GPA of 3.0 are eligible for $1,000. This award is renewable for one additional year. Please note: any student with college credit taken after high school graduation as part of a degree-seeking program is considered a transfer student. 

Deadlines

There are three important dates for every student to remember:

• October 1 - Application for Pitt State Scholarships opens
• January 15 - Application deadline for Honors College Scholarships
• March 1 - Application deadline for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)