All-Pennsylvania Academic Team
Awards Program
The All-Pennsylvania Academic Team Awards Program was established in 2001 for community college students who are selected by their respective colleges as nominees for the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team. A “Special Academic Passport to a System University” is issued to all team members. It offers guaranteed admission and a tuition waiver to any of the 14 universities in the System.
- How are students selected for the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team Awards?
Each community college and Lackawanna Junior College Phi Theta Kappa Chapter may nominate up to a total of two students for the award. The selection criteria include high academic achievement and demonstrated commitment to their colleges and community.
- How soon must I enroll in a System university to maintain my award?
The award recipient has up to one year to enroll in a System university.
- Do I have to enroll as a full-time student to be eligible for the award?
Yes, each award recipient must be a full-time, first baccalaureate degree-seeking student to be eligible for the award.
- Do I have to be a resident of Pennsylvania to be eligible for the award?
Yes, each award recipient must be a resident of Pennsylvania to be eligible for the award.
- What if I want to enroll before I receive my official Passport letter?
Scholarships begin the academic year following nomination. Some universities may have distributed all scholarship funds for the current academic year. Please check with the Scholarship Administrator at the university you select to see if the waiver is available prior to the fall semester.
- Does the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team Award cover all of my educational expenses?
The All-Pennsylvania Academic Team Award offers only a tuition waiver. Other expenses, including student fees, books, room and board (if applicable), and incidentals are the responsibility of the award recipient.
- Does the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team award guarantee me admission to a program offered by a System University?
If you’re a community college student, the Academic Passport *guarantees that you can transfer to any System university, but it doesn’t assure your admission into specific programs. The universities maintain control over the admission process, especially in programs with limited openings for students and for which there may be additional admission requirements.
- Does the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team Award guarantee the availability of a program specific to meet the needs of an award recipient?
No, the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team Award guarantees the ability to transfer into a System university through the regular admissions process provided the requirements of the program are met and covers the cost of in-state tuition. It does not guarantee that a program will be available to meet the needs of the recipient at the selected university. It is the responsibility of the award recipient to find a System university that offers the program of study to meet their individual needs.
- Does the award cover the summer term?
This is a university decision. Please check with the Scholarship Administrator at the university you select to see if the award applies to summer term enrollment.
- What happens if I do not complete my degree requirements within two years?
The All-Pennsylvania Academic Team Award is renewable for two years (four semesters) of study. Tuition and other educational expenses beyond the award period are the responsibility of the student.
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*The Academic Passport program guarantees acceptance into a PASSHE University if the standard application procedures are followed and program requirements, such as a grade point average of 2.0, are met. A student is eligible to receive the Academic Passport if they have one of the following: An Associate of Arts or Science degree from a community college in Pennsylvania or at least 12 credits at another State System university. Please click here for a listing of the PA Academic Passport Program requirements.