Pennsylvania scholarships: Free money for students

The Beulah Frey Environmental Scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior applying to colleges or universities for the upcoming academic year to further their studies in environmentally-related fields. Graduating seniors from both private and public high schools within ASWP's region are eligible to apply. This region includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Beaver, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. Applicants must submit a personal statement and an essay. They must also submit a letter of recommendation from a person with whom the applicant has interacted in environmentally-related activities, and/or courses, and who can speak to the applicant's initiative, dedication, and achievements. This should not be from a relative or friend. It should be from a teacher, mentor, supervisor, volunteer coordinator or other individual who can give an informed and objective assessment. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Energize Your Education Scholarship for 2025 will be awarded to students for making a positive difference in their community. Applicants must be a high school senior, planning to attend an accredited two- or four-year college degree program in the United States in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Doctor Almo Sebastianelli Drum Corps Scholarship is available to any high school senior who meets the following criteria: a child or grandchild of a Pennsylvania Legionnaire in good standing; or a child or grandchild of a deceased Pennsylvania Legionnaire. To be eligible, a student must be a member of a high school band who is going on to higher education majoring in music. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania for more information.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly created and funded PA-TIP in 2012 to prepare students with the skills in high demand by today's employers. The program, which is administered by PHEAA, provides awards to students enrolled in programs of study in the following career areas: Energy, Health, Advanced Materials and Diversified Manufacturing, and Agriculture and Food Production. PA-TIP provides need-based awards to cover educational costs and specific living expenses. Applicants must have a high school diploma, GED, or recognized homeschool certificate. Applicants must be enrolled at an institution approved by PHEAA. Applicants enrolled in an approved program of study that is at least 10 weeks but less than two academic years in length. Students attending non-profit institutions must be enrolled at least half-time in an approved program. All other students must be enrolled full-time. Applicants who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and was honorably discharged must submit a copy of the DD214 Form. Students who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree are still eligible to apply for a PA-TIP award. Please visit the award's website for more information.

The John Lepping Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to qualified students seeking to further their education by attending college. John Lepping was extremely proud of disabled students who mustered the courage and determination to finish their college education despite their setbacks. This scholarship will help to deter the costs of college for disabled individuals who may not have the resources due to overwhelming medical costs. eligibility includes, but not limited to physical conditions (spinal cord injury, loss of limb, birth defects, etc.) and psychological conditions (autism, post- traumatic stress etc.). Scholarship recipients must be able to provide proof of disability with a letter of confirmation by a physician. Proof is required after award notification. Please do not submit it with the application. Three letters of recommendation from non-family members are required. Applications may be sent through mail or email but email is preferred. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Lep Foundation for Youth education for more information.

The Lonnie Jordan Memorial Scholarship supports Pennsylvania resident students. This scholarship intends to provide financial assistance to an upper-class student attending Delaware Valley University. Students may visit the scholarship's website or contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

The Greater Philadelphia Law Library Association awards scholarships to promising library students pursuing a career in law librarianship. Applicants must be a student accepted to and/or registered at an ALA-accredited library school who will continue as a student for at least another semester or quarter. Applicants must reside within the geographic area covered by GPLLA. The geographic area covered by GPLLA comprises Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Preference will be given to applicants residing in the Tri-State area, generally understood to encompass the area of Pennsylvania east of the Susquehanna River, the area of New Jersey south of and including Trenton, and all of Delaware. At least one letter of recommendation is required, letters from current or former teachers and employers are preferred. Applicants who have received a GPLLA Student Scholarship within the previous two years are ineligible to receive a scholarship. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Robert J. Trace Scholarship fund was set up by Robert J. Trace and his family. Education was very important to Bob and his family. The Robert J. Trace Scholarship fund was established to assist young patriotic students achieve their academic dreams. Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: a child or grandchild of a Pennsylvania Legionnaire in good standing; a child or grandchild of a deceased Pennsylvania Legionnaire; or a child of a Pennsylvania soldier that was killed as a result of the war on terrorism including the Pentagon, Iraq and Afghanistan. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania for more information.

The Robert W. Valimont Scholarship is awarded once a year to high school seniors who wish to pursue their studies in a two-year community college. This is a two-year award. Applicants must be children or grandchildren of PA Legion members who are deceased, ICU,or MIA; or has a Parent or Grandparent who has been in the military or is a military member in good standing in The American Legion. Membership in The American Legion must be documented by one of the following methods: photocopy of current membership card; or a letter by Post Commander, Adjutant or Finance Officer attesting to a person's membership in good standing including length of years. If deceased, a statement that the person was a member in good standing at the time of their death must be submitted. If killed in action or missing in action is claimed, documentation from the U.S. Department of Defense must accompany the application. Applicants must also submit a statement of their parent(s) income, which may be a W-2 or a photocopy of the first page of a 1040 form. Total income must be $70,000.00 or less to be eligible. Anything over $70,000.00 is not eligible. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania for more information.