Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Pittsburgh Promise

Overview
The Pittsburgh Promise is a scholarship that helps City of Pittsburgh students pay for college or career programs. Below I’ve laid out who qualifies, what the Extension Program is, how to keep your award once you start post‑secondary school, and how to regain eligibility if you lose it.

Who is eligible (basic requirements)
To earn a Promise scholarship you must meet all of these conditions:
- Graduate from high school in or before 2028 (the class of 2028 is the last class currently covered).
- Be a resident of the City of Pittsburgh continuously since 9th grade.
- Be enrolled in Pittsburgh Public Schools (or one of its charter schools) continuously since 9th grade.
- Graduate from a Pittsburgh Public Schools high school with a minimum cumulative, unweighted GPA of 2.50 and an attendance rate of 90% or higher.

Note: Students who live in Wilkinsburg and graduate from Pittsburgh Public Schools (and meet the other requirements) have been eligible beginning with the class of 2017.

The Promise Extension Program (for students with GPA 2.0–2.49)
If you meet the residency, enrollment, and attendance rules but your cumulative, unweighted GPA is between 2.0 and 2.49, you qualify for the Promise Extension Program. Key points:
- You must use the scholarship at CCAC (Community College of Allegheny County), a Promise Preferred College Partner, or an approved non‑CCAC program (for example, certain cosmetology programs).
- In your first year in the Extension Program you must complete 18 credits and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
- Students who successfully finish that first year become core Promise eligible and can then enroll in any Pell‑eligible post‑secondary program in Pennsylvania.
- You may enroll in the Extension Program any time during the five years following high school graduation.

Funding commitment
The Pittsburgh Promise is committed to raising the funds necessary to support students through the high school graduating class of 2028.

Maintaining Promise eligibility after high school
Once you begin college or another post‑secondary program you must:
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
- Enroll full‑time, as defined by the school you attend (most schools consider 12–16 credits per term full‑time—check with your school). The Promise does not fund part‑time attendance.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) each year while you are a student; The Promise will not process your award without a completed FAFSA. If you cannot submit the FAFSA online because you’re missing essential information, email info@pittsburghpromise.org for help.
Academic progress is reviewed by The Promise at the end of each school year.

Regaining eligibility if you lose it
If you lose Promise funding because you didn’t meet the continuing requirements, you can still attend school without the scholarship and earn the credits and/or GPA needed for reinstatement. Summer coursework sometimes can be covered by Promise funds, but this is decided once a year at The Promise’s March board meeting. If approved, students may use unused funds from their current year’s Promise award to pay for summer coursework, up to the equivalent of one semester.

If you have questions or need help with FAFSA or eligibility paperwork, contact info@pittsburghpromise.org.