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Scholarship Opportunities

Do you use the University Libraries? Do you struggle to pay for your college education? Are you interested in pursuing a career in Librarianship, Library Sciences, or Library Information Sciences? Do you have good grades? Are you in the College of Liberal Arts? Do you work in Media Tech or have a parent who does? Are you in a STEM field or in the School of Hospitality Management?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may be eligible for a Library scholarship.

The University Libraries’ scholarships provide financial assistance to undergraduates. While some scholarships are geared toward those with an interest in library science, we also award scholarships to those in a wide range of disciplines including Liberal Arts and STEM.

Most scholarships are renewable for the next academic year if the student continues to meet the eligibility requirements. Unless otherwise specified, scholarships require students to demonstrate satisfactory academic performance (GPA of 2.0 or higher).

Not sure if you're interested in a career in library science? Here's something to consider:

Libraries employ people from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds. Here are a few areas in which librarians share their talents:

  • art curation
  • business analysis
  • community outreach
  • geographical information systems (GIS)
  • historical research
  • instructional design
  • legal research
  • public relations & marketing
  • systems administration
  • web design & programming

For more information about the educational requirements, salary, and diverse roles within librarianship, please visit the American Library Association's career resources site.

How to Apply

  • Applicants who have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the  Office of Student Aid will be considered for needs-based and merit-based scholarships. Applicants who do NOT have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Student Aid will be considered for merit-based scholarships.
  • All submissions require the completion of an online application form including a student essay, plus one letter of recommendation from an instructor or supervisor.
  • All applications and letters of recommendation must typically be submitted by early May each year.
  • Complete the online application form.
  • NOTE:  Please upload/attach your essay to the application form. Supported file formats are .doc, .docx, .jpeg/.jpg, and .pdf.
  • Follow up with the person writing your letter of recommendation. Be sure he/she emails it to Wendi Keeler at wak109@psu.edu or mails to the above address by the deadline noted above.

Scholarships

By completing one application, you will be considered for all of our scholarships listed below.

Adma Hammam Shibley Memorial Scholarship in Library Science

  • Primary consideration: Undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in Library Sciences or Library Information Sciences
  • Secondary consideration: Any undergraduate student currently enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts

Ava Faltz-Miller Memorial Scholarship

  • Full-time junior students who have a demonstrated interest in Library Sciences, Library Information Sciences, and/or librarianship

Cynthia M. Joyce Trustee Scholarship

  • First priority given to any student demonstrating financial need and who benefits from the services of the University Libraries.

Irene Cheng Memorial Award

  • Full-time undergraduate students who are enrolled at any Penn State campus.
  • Must be a child of a MediaTech employee OR an undergraduate student who has been employed by MediaTech for at least one year and currently works a minimum of 10 hours per week.
  • Must have cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Application letter must include information about the parent’s employment at MediaTech or the student’s own MediaTech employment giving examples leadership, humanitarian, and academic merits.

Martha Conner Memorial Award

  • Undergraduate students who are interested in enrolling in an accredited graduate school for Library Information Sciences (MLIS) or Library Sciences (MLS)
  • Must have demonstrated need and maintain a satisfactory undergraduate academic record (GPA of 2.0 or higher)

Temple Family Undergraduate Scholarship in the University Libraries

  • Must show promise of or proven superior academic success (GPA 3.34 or above)
  • Students majoring or planning to major in a STEM field will be given first consideration

Nelson R. and Jaclyn King Braddy/King Family Undergraduate Scholarship

  • Students majoring or planning to major in Hospitality Management in the School of Hospitality Management in the College of Health and Human Development.
  • Must show promise of or proven outstanding academic success (GPA 3.0 or above).