The College of Information Sciences and Technology is pleased to support students who participate in activities that enrich, enhance, or further develop skills related to their academic career paths. IST students seeking financial support from the college must complete the Enrichment Fund application and submit it by the deadlines described below. These funds are intended to support co-curricular activities and are not intended to offset tuition or associated expenses.
Application Information
To be considered for enrichment funding, students must submit their request through the online application by the deadlines below. Applications submitted after these deadlines will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applications will not be reviewed until the submission deadline date has passed.
- 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
Once you have completed your enrichment application, a confirmation email will be sent to your Penn State email address. If you did not receive this message, your application was not successfully submitted.
Once your application is reviewed, you will receive an email to your Penn State email address indicating the approval status of your request. If your funding request is approved, the email will contain next steps to receive your funding.
To submit a funding request, students 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 will be given priority for most funding opportunities. Financial need will be determined using the guidelines outlined in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Students without a current FAFSA on file are strongly encouraged to complete an application. Details can be found on the FAFSA website.
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
Funding is limited to a maximum of $3,000. Typical amounts awarded average $1,500.
A variety of factors are considered during the application review including the overall cost of the program/purchase, the student’s level of financial need, cumulative GPA, as well as the quality and appropriateness of the enrichment activity. Funding amounts are also determined by the overall amount of available funding and the number of applications received for any given semester.
You may or 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.
Students are also encouraged to explore funding from other University sources, including:
- Undergraduate Research Conference Travel Support for students presenting research or creative works at domestic or international professional conferences
- Erickson Discovery Grants for supporting undergraduate student engagement in original research, scholarship and creative work under the direct supervision of a faculty member
- Student Engagement Network Grants for supporting student enrichment experiences outside the classroom
All expenses will be processed as reimbursements. You should expect to provide receipts and/or documentation of the costs associated with your travel or purchase. Funds will be deposited into your student account upon your return and after your expenses have been processed.
Office of Student Engagement
E103 Westgate Building
University Park, PA 16802
ISTengage@psu.edu
(814) 865-8947