Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship
Offered by The Pittsburgh Promise
About this scholarship
The Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship is a last-dollar award for eligible graduates of Pittsburgh Public Schools and qualifying district charter schools. Students in graduating classes through 2028 may receive up to $5,000 per year and $20,000 total for an accredited, Pell-eligible college, university, trade school, or technical program in Pennsylvania. The scholarship can help cover tuition, fees, housing, food, and books after federal, state, institutional, and other grant or scholarship aid is applied. Eligible and enrolled students receive at least $1,000 annually even when other aid covers their remaining billed expenses. Core requirements include continuous City of Pittsburgh residence and continuous enrollment in Pittsburgh Public Schools or one of its qualifying charters since ninth grade, graduation with at least a 2.50 cumulative unweighted GPA, and a 90 percent attendance record. Wilkinsburg residents who graduate from an eligible PPS school may also qualify. Seniors apply by logging into the official Promise Student Portal, updating their information and school choices, and following the portal instructions. They must also complete the FAFSA and Pennsylvania State Grant Form by May 1. Funding continues only while students maintain full-time enrollment, a cumulative 2.0 postsecondary GPA, satisfactory progress, and an annual FAFSA.
Eligibility
- Graduate from an eligible Pittsburgh Public Schools or district charter high school in or before 2028
- Reside continuously in the City of Pittsburgh since ninth grade, with the published Wilkinsburg exception
- Be enrolled continuously in Pittsburgh Public Schools or an eligible PPS charter since ninth grade
- Graduate with at least a 2.50 cumulative unweighted GPA
- Graduate with an attendance record of at least 90 percent
- Apply through the Promise Student Portal during senior year
- Complete the FAFSA and Pennsylvania State Grant Form by May 1
- Attend an accredited, Pell-eligible postsecondary program in Pennsylvania
- Maintain full-time enrollment, a cumulative 2.0 college GPA, and annual FAFSA completion for renewal