The College of Information Sciences and Technology is committed to supporting students who engage in activities that enrich their academic experience and help them develop skills relevant to their career paths. To apply for financial support, IST students must complete the Enrichment Fund application and submit it by the designated deadlines. These funds are specifically intended to support co-curricular activities and cannot be used to offset tuition or related expenses.
Apply for Enrichment Funding
Application Timeline
To be considered for enrichment funding, you must submit your request through the online application by the deadlines below. Applications submitted after these deadlines will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- September 1: For activities occurring during the fall semester
- January 5: For activities occurring during the spring semester
- May 1: For activities occurring over the summer
Applications will be reviewed after each submission deadline. Once your application is reviewed, you will receive an email to your Penn State email address indicating the approval status of your request and relevant next steps.
Eligibility
To submit a funding request, you must:
- be enrolled in the College of IST as a full-time undergraduate student.
- have completed the application form by the appropriate deadline.
Students who have demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be given priority for most funding opportunities.
Enrichment funding can be used to support a variety of student programs and initiatives, which include, but are not limited to:
- conference registrations
- purchasing materials and supplies related to research efforts
- printing costs associated with presentations and exhibitions
- limited travel expenses related to professional meetings and conferences
Receiving Funding
Funding is limited to a maximum of $3,000. Typical amounts awarded average $1,500.
Applications are reviewed based on the cost of the program/purchase, the quality and appropriateness of the enrichment activity, and the student’s level of financial need and cumulative GPA.
You may not receive the full amount requested. Think critically about the funds you need and prioritize those expenses that most significantly impact your ability to participate.
We encourage you to explore funding from other University sources, including:
All expenses will be processed as reimbursements. You should expect to provide receipts and/or documentation of the costs associated with your expenses. Funds will be deposited into your student account upon your return and after your expenses have been processed.
