The Pittsburgh Promise offers several opportunities for scholarship recipients including programs and events to help Promise Scholars and Alumni achieve academic success and connect with regional employers. Promise Coaches help students in assigned schools to make their post-secondary plans.
Scholarship Details
- Scholarship funding for post-secondary education at colleges, trade, or technical schools
- Minimum unweighted GPA of 2.5 and 90% attendance required for full Promise Scholarship
- Promise Extension Program available for students with GPA between 2.0–2.49
- Funding may be used at any Pell-eligible institution in Pennsylvania
Eligibility Criteria
- Continuous residency in the City of Pittsburgh since 9th grade
- Continuous enrollment in Pittsburgh Public Schools or one of its charter schools since 9th grade
- Graduate with a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.5 and 90% attendance
- Students from Wilkinsburg who graduate from Pittsburgh Public Schools are also eligible (starting with the class of 2017)
- Promise Extension Program available for students with a GPA of 2.0–2.49 who meet all other requirements
Application Process
- Ensure you meet residency, enrollment, GPA, and attendance requirements
- Graduate from an eligible high school
- Apply to a post-secondary institution that accepts Pell Grants within five years of high school graduation
- Students in the Extension Program must attend CCAC, a Promise Preferred Partner, or a Pell-eligible trade/technical school in PA
- Extension Program students must earn a 2.0 GPA and complete 18+ credits in the first year to maintain eligibility
- Contact the provider for questions or to submit an Extension Appeal if needed
Students who meet all Promise requirements, but graduate high school with an unweighted GPA of 2.0-2.49, are eligible to access the scholarship through The Promise Extension Program. Through the Extension Program, students receive one year of Promise scholarship funding and may attend CCAC (Community College of Allegheny County), a Promise Preferred College Partner institution, or any trade, technical, or specialty program at a Pell-accepting institution (e.g. cosmetology, HVAC, CDL) in Pennsylvania.
