Scholarship Fund Support
Support Harrisburg University students and help secure the future of the Commonwealth through support for the Harrisburg University Scholarship Fund.
Donate TodayEvery first-year undergraduate student at HU is automatically considered for a university-funded scholarship of at least $11,000, and transfer student scholarships start at $6,000. We invest in our students because we believe that talent, not financial means, should determine who can pursue a STEM degree.
What sets HU apart is our nimble, forward-thinking approach to workforce readiness. Whether it’s in sustainable agriculture, robotics and automation, food safety and quality assurance, engineering sciences, advanced media production, or digital health, our students gain hands-on experience in fields that are growing rapidly and transforming our region for the better.
HU Students Snapshot
Many of our students come from families and communities where financial barriers can be difficult to overcome. Without scholarship support, many would be unable to attend college or pursue highly technical STEM careers.
Your scholarship support makes it possible for students to attend, persist, and graduate, ensuring they can achieve their full potential without being weighed down by excessive debt.
HU STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
Why Scholarships Matter
Scholarships are more than financial aid. They are pathways to opportunity. They are a lifeline for our students and a catalyst for regional growth. Scholarships:
- Expand access: Scholarships provide opportunities for students from underserved communities to learn, grow, and thrive.
- Reduce debt: HU aims to graduate students with minimal student debt. Scholarship support lessens reliance on student loans and eases long-term financial stress.
- Improve outcomes: Financial peace of mind enables students to focus on their studies, research, and internships, rather than multiple jobs.
- Strengthen the workforce: Graduates enter high-demand industries, like healthcare, data science, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology, ready to contribute immediately.
- Turns ambition into success: For many students, a scholarship is the deciding factor between attending college or postponing their dreams indefinitely.
Impact on Students
“Four years ago, I began my search for an affordable engineering institution. The cost of attending HU was far less than the other schools I looked at, and the scholarships I received covered about half of it. I was baffled that a place like this existed! I didn’t have a specific engineering field in mind, so learning different aspects of various disciplines was enticing. It helped me find my footing and passion within a specific field. And so, I chose Advanced Manufacturing. It became the sea of knowledge I’d sail for the next four years. In 2024, I was proud to be a part of HU’s first-ever NASA Lunabotics team, and to help the team bring home two awards from the qualifying events in Florida. At HU, students are required to complete an internship before graduating, so I began working at KVG shortly after returning from Lunabotics. Within the first few days at KVG, I met John Boyer, the company’s CEO. After calming my nerves, we talked about my contributions to the company: creating a virtual reality (VR) simulation that connects trade show visitors to our 3D printing workshops across the globe. Thank you to Harrisburg University, to John Boyer and KVG, and everyone out there who makes experiences like mine possible. I’ll do my best to make you proud!” – Martin Johnson ‘25
“It’s not a stretch to say that my time at Harrisburg University has truly shaped who I am. I’m proud of the journey I took to get here, and I’m thrilled to say that I’ll be starting my full-time job at Eurofins Labs in Lancaster, straight out of college. In my role as a Food Testing Lab Technician, I’ll have a chance to put all that I’ve learned into practice and help keep people safe at the same time. In the time I’ve spent at HU, my biggest accomplishment has been a forensic anthropology project undertaken with HACC. We discovered 13 skulls and five full sets of human remains with no identifying paperwork, which have been used for anthropology classes for years. We are now working to give all the remains an anthropological profile with a high degree of precision. Why? Because science can be a key to human dignity. Practicing my hands-on skills on a project with this level of importance to our local communities is truly a privilege. And I think that’s the core of what this university offers: a welcoming and supportive environment, relevant skills, and plenty of opportunities to exercise them. I would like to thank Professor Carrie Wise at HU and everyone who supported me over the years – thank you for believing in me!” – Rosalina (“Rosie”) Rivera ‘25
“My brother recommended Harrisburg University – a decision that has truly changed my life. As a senior in Computer & Information Sciences, I’ve had the opportunity to dive deep into areas like cloud computing, machine learning, and full-stack development. Receiving this scholarship has made a tremendous difference in my journey. It has relieved financial stress, allowing me to focus on learning, developing my skills, and engaging in real-world projects. It has also given me the opportunity to network with professionals, attend career fairs, and gain invaluable mentorship – experiences that have strengthened my confidence and career aspirations. As I approach graduation, I am excited to take the next step, knowing that the foundation built here at HU will help me achieve my goals. I am incredibly thankful for your support, and I hope to one day pay it forward by helping future students, just as you have helped me.” – Kirtan Patel ‘24
“I was honored to receive the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center scholarship. This recognition from the leading global authority in project management motivates me to continue growing as a leader and reinforces that I am building on the right foundation for the next stage of my career. Harrisburg University’s Master of Project Management is ranked among the top three graduate programs in the nation. That level of recognition gave me confidence in the program’s quality. The executive format also allows me to continue working as an IT & Engineering Project Manager at KLA, a global leader in the semiconductor industry, where I can immediately apply new methodologies and perspectives in real-world projects. For me, it’s the perfect balance of academic excellence and practical, hands-on experience.” – Yovel Baruch ‘26
“I’m a proud South Indian from Tamil Nadu – a land famous for filter coffee (we call it ‘filter kaapi’), farmers, incredible architecture – and where people still ask, ‘Ponnu-ku America-ah?’ (‘A girl going to America?’) But look at me! Vandhutaen pa! I made it! From a very small village, all the way to Harrisburg University, to being the first college graduate in my family. HU didn’t just give me admission – it gave me a platform and a sense of community. From attending workshops and volunteering, to becoming a Student Library Assistant, to landing my first internship and job at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission … it’s been a journey of growth, resilience, and discovery. In that journey, the community really mattered. The thing I missed most from India was our sense of togetherness. But I found it again here. I’m reminded that no matter where we are, our roots – ‘namma ooru’ – are always with us. To my fellow students, especially those who came here with nothing but dreams in their suitcase, keep showing up! One event, one connection, one opportunity at a time … you’ll write your own story.” – Priyadharshini (“Priya”) Rajmohan ‘25
Ways to Support Pennsylvania Students
We invite you to make a lasting impact in the lives of Harrisburg University students:
Academic Scholarship
A gift of $60,000 (paid or pledged over 4 years) can transform a student’s future by providing a four-year scholarship to one financially deserving student. With $15,000 awarded each year, your support will ease the financial burden of higher education – allowing the student to graduate with no tuition debt and to focus fully on their academic and career goals.
HU Scholarship Fund
A gift of any size can have a life-changing impact on a Harrisburg University student. Scholarship gifts up to $15,000 per year are allocated to the HU Scholarship fund. After federal and state financial aid grants and academic scholarship support, undergraduate students have an average of just $3,500 per year to pay out of pocket or with loans. Your contribution to the HU Scholarship Fund helps attract and retain students and sets them up to graduate with little or no student debt.
Emerging Scholars Fund
The Emerging Scholars Fund provides student assistance for emergencies, travel, food, housing, and school materials. Life comes at you fast, and unexpected events can impact a student’s ability to stay in class. Your gift or pledge supports undergraduate students at Harrisburg University by addressing essential needs beyond education expenses. This scholarship recognizes that students require more than just tuition, room, and board to succeed academically and personally.
The fund provides emergency financial assistance for:
- Academic support:Funding for programs, opportunities and materials for students.
- Professional development:Resources for conferences, workshops, networking events, certification exams, and professional attire.
- Transportation:Support for commuting costs, car maintenance, or public transportation passes.
- Food and shelter: Financial aid for materials and travel expenses related to academic research and projects.
The Emerging Scholars Fund significantly impacts students’ overall college experience by addressing needs that contribute to their academic and personal success, ensuring that students are well equipped for success both in and out of the classroom. We look forward to your support!
How Scholarship Giving Benefits the Community … And You
Your investment in scholarships is not just philanthropy – it is a partnership. By supporting HU scholarships, donors like you:
- Empower individual students to succeed.
- Strengthen Central Pennsylvania’s economy through a skilled workforce.
- Enhance the University’s reputation, attracting future talent and innovation.
- Inspire a culture of giving, as scholarship recipients become alumni donors who pay it forward.
At Harrisburg University, we believe in building futures, not just awarding degrees. Scholarships are essential to that vision. They allow us to attract and retain diverse, talented students who will thrive academically and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
With the generous support of partners like you, HU can continue to expand access, reduce financial barriers, and prepare the next generation of STEM leaders. Together, we can ensure that Central Pennsylvania remains a hub of innovation, opportunity, and growth.
The gift of an HU scholarship inspires others to give, creating a positive cycle of generosity that multiplies over time. Thank you for your consideration and for your continued investment in the future of Central Pennsylvania.
To make your scholarship pledge or donation, please contact the Office of Philanthropy & Alumni Relations by emailing Giving@HarrisburgU.edu or calling 717.901.5103.
