International Student Scholarships and Awards

The following award information is effective for students admitted in Academic Year 2025-2026.

Note: Second bachelor's degree students are not eligible for scholarships, waivers, and reductions. 

Funding for FIRST YEAR students

International undergraduate first year students can earn up to $14,416 per year in funding! 

  • Reduced International Rate ($6,700 per year)

    Full time out-of-state and international undergraduate students are automatically given a tuition discount at the time of admission. This equals about $6,700 per year and is renewable for 4 years (First-Year students).

    • Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA
    • Students must maintain full-time student status

  • First Year Merit Scholarships ($1,500 - $6,000 per year)

    International undergraduate students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships at the time of admission. These scholarships are based solely on a calculated unweighted U.S. 4.0 GPA and are automatically applied. 

    • Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA
    • Students must maintain full-time student status

    First-Year Merit

    GPA Range Per Year Award Per Term Award Renewable Max Award
    3.85-4.00 GPA $6,000 $3,000 8 fall/spring terms $24,000
    3.50-3.84 GPA $5,000 $2,500 8 fall/spring terms $20,000
    3.00-3.49 GPA $4,000 $2,000 8 fall/spring terms $16,000
    2.75-2.99 GPA $1,500 $750 8 fall/spring terms $6,000
  • Honors Merit Scholarship ($7,716 per year)

    International undergraduate students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships at the time of admission. These scholarships are based solely on a calculated unweighted U.S. 4.0 GPA and are automatically applied. 

    • Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA
    • Students must maintain full-time student status

    Honors Merit (Sesquicentennial Academic Honors Scholarship)

    Requirements Per Year Award Per Term Award Renewable Max Award
    3.50+ GPA
    1410 SAT / 31 ACT score 
    $7,716 $3,858 8 fall/spring terms $30,864
    • Students in the Honors Program are required to live on campus for (3) three years. 

Funding for transfer students

International undergraduate transfer students can earn up to $11,200 per year in funding! 

  • Reduced International Rate ($6,700 per year)

    Full time out-of-state and international undergraduate students are automatically given a tuition discount at the time of admission. This equals about $6,700 per year and is renewable for 3 years (Transfer students).

    • Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA
    • Students must maintain full-time student status
  • Transfer Merit Scholarships ($1,000 - $3,000 per year)

    International undergraduate students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships at the time of admission. These scholarships are based solely on a calculated unweighted U.S. 4.0 GPA and are automatically applied. 

    • Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA
    • Students must maintain full-time student status

      Transfer Merit

      GPA Range Per Year Award Per Term Award Renewable Max Award
      3.50+ GPA $3,000 $1,500 6 fall/spring terms $9,000
      3.00-3.49 GPA $2,000 $1,000 6 fall/spring terms $6,000
      2.75-2.99 GPA $1,000 $500 6 fall/spring terms $3,000

    • Transfer Housing Award ($1,000 per year)

      Award (per year)

      $1,000

      Eligibility

      Incoming transfer students who have an associate’s degree 

      How to Apply

      You are automatically awarded when you submit a transcript showing the associate’s degree being completed.

      Details

      Student must live on campus. The award is renewable for a second year

    • Transfer Book Award ($500 One-Time)

      Award

      $500

      Eligibility

      First-time transfer students who have an associate’s degree

      How to Apply

      You are automatically awarded when you submit a transcript showing the associate’s degree being completed.

      Details

      This is a one-time book award of $500 for one academic year (Fall or Spring only) to be utilized in the KU Campus Book Store.

    Needs-based tuition waivers/ Reductions

    A "waiver" is is a reduction in the amount of tuition you are charged rather than money that is provided to your account directly. These waivers are needs-based and require a separate application. Needs-based funding is stackable with merit scholarships and the reduced international tuition rate. 
    • International Tuition Waiver ($3,858 per year)

      International Tuition Waiver/Reduction (ITW) - Undergraduate

      Undergraduate Per Year Award Per Term Award Renewable Max Award
      First-Year $3,858 $1,929 8 fall/spring terms $15,432
      Transfer $3,858 $1,929 6 fall/spring terms $11,574

      A limited number of ITWs are available to new international undergraduate students and are offered on a rolling basis until all funds are given. 

      • Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA
      • Students must maintain full-time student status
      • Must have no outstanding bills/debts at Kutztown University
      • Students must complete 5 volunteer hours for the International Office each academic year. 

      How to Apply:

      • After you submit your admissions application, complete the online International Tuition Waiver Application.
      • You will additionally need to submit financial documents to be considered. Email your financial documents to international@kutztown.edu. Note: These are the same financial support documents that you will be required to submit for immigration. View more information here.  
      • The deadline to apply is May 1st (Fall entry term) and November 1st (Spring entry term).
    • Economic Hardship Waiver

      A limited number of these waivers are available to current international students who can demonstrate that they, or their financial sponsors, have experienced significant changes in their financial conditions and the changes have created an unforeseen financial hardship affecting the student's ability to afford living or educational expenses. The max amount of the waiver is $2,000 and is not renewable.

    Funding for GRADUATE students

    International graduate students can earn up to $21,432 per year in funding! 

    • Graduate Assistantships ($14,288 - $21,432 per year)

      These positions are available to admitted Master's degree students and provide a tuition waiver and stipend for working a position with an administrative office or academic department at Kutztown University. For more information and to view available positions, visit the Graduate studies website

      Graduate Assistantship Tuition Waiver (Year) Stipend (Year) Total Support (Year) Work Assistnment Hours
      Full Time 18 credits  $7,500 Up to $21,432 20 / week
      Part Time 12 credits $5,000 Up to $14,288 13 / week
      • Prospective graduate assistants must be admitted into a graduate degree program prior to submitting an application.
      • Prospective graduate assistants must apply and sometimes interview for the position. Each office and department have their own method of reviewing applications and interviewing candidates. 
      • Graduate Assistants complete their work assignments during the fall and spring semesters, and not during school winter and summer breaks.
    • Economic Hardship Waiver

      A limited number of these waivers are available to current international students who can demonstrate that they, or their financial sponsors, have experienced significant changes in their financial conditions and the changes have created an unforeseen financial hardship affecting the student's ability to afford living or educational expenses. The max amount of the waiver is $2,000 and is not renewable.

    • Kutztown University Foundation Scholarships

      To be considered for Kutztown University Foundation Scholarships, current and incoming students should complete a scholarship profile each year between November 1st and March 15th to be considered for available scholarships. These scholarships are awarded based on the guidelines provided by the donors.

      • Students who receive these scholarships will have to write a thank you letter to the donor of the scholarship.
    • Working on Campus

      nternational students may work on campus (at an office or academic department at Kutztown University) up to 20 hours a week while enrolled in a fall or spring term and up to 40 hours a week during the winter break, spring break, and summer break. This provides the potential to earn between $3,000 and $5,000 annually depending on your hourly pay rate, position, the number of hours you work, and if you work over breaks. Student employment information can be found here

    • Payment Plans

      Payment plans are available, (but not required) for the fall and spring semesters. They require a $35 enrollment fee for each term you want to sign up for a plan. These plans allow you to pay your bill over several months. More information on payment plans can be found here.