Grants & Scholarships

DSU automatically awards this scholarship to new students entering the Adult Studies program for the 2024-2025 academic year who have earned an A.A., A.S. or A.A.S. degree from a community college. They must be enrolled in a certificate or degree program.

Qualified students will be awarded a $1500 scholarship that is disbursed in $500 increments for the first three courses taken. Students must remain in good academic standing to receive the scholarship and complete the three courses within the academic year awarded.

* Restrictions apply. Courses must be completed within the session taken and remain in good academic standing.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is the largest and oldest national organization of women who are college graduates.  AAUW promotes education and equity for women and girls. 

To qualify applicants must meet the following requirements:  

• Must be a female in the Adult Studies program who has had her studies interrupted at some point for at least six months.  
• Completed a minimum of 15 credits. 
• Returning or new student, accepted for the fall 2023 session 1 or 2 for undergraduate studies.  
• Must take 2 classes during the fall sessions 1 and 2. 
• Must be in good standing. 

If applying and have attended another university, an official transcript from the respective university must be submitted to verify the completion of at least 15 credits and to verify a six-month or greater gap between semesters/sessions. Two recipients will be awarded $2000 towards the tuition for sessions 1 and 2. For information on how to apply, contact Adult Studies at adultstudies@desales.edu or 610-282-4361. 

Since 2012, we have been awarding the Father Alexander Pocetto, OFSF, Adult Studies Scholarship. This fund honors the Adult Studies program founder and is awarded to Adult Studies students only. For the 2024-2025 academic year, scholarship recipients will be awarded $1,620, the tuition of one, three credit course. Six scholarships will be awarded, and recipients will be notified in August 2025. Application deadline is July 14, 2025. Qualified applicants will be notified through email and invited to apply. Qualifications include:

· Must be an Adult Studies student
· Good academic standing
· Completed at least 5 courses at DeSales
· Essay is required

This scholarship has been established in memory of Officer David M. Petzold, who was killed in the line of duty on November 6, 2006. David was an alumnus of DeSales University Adult Studies criminal justice program.

This scholarship will preserve David’s memory and will assist a current student to achieve his or her educational goal. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the scholarship recipient will be awarded $1,620, the tuition of one, three credit course.

The scholarship recipient will be notified in August 2025. Application deadline is July 14, 2025. Qualified applicants will be notified through email and invited to apply. 

Qualifications include: 

• Be an Adult Studies student 
• Be a CJ major 
• GPA of 2.5 or above 
• Complete a minimum of 15 credits at DeSales 
• Currently employed as a police officer* 
• Have a record of service to the community 

*Adult Studies program reserves the prerogative to award scholarship to a criminal justice major, other than a police officer, when appropriate. 

$5,750 In College Scholarships To Be Awarded

Are you a full-time college student in the U.S.? Do you have a passion for raising awareness about the dangers associated with substance abuse and addiction?

If you answered “yes” to both questions, you’ll want to enter the Addictions.com Scholarship Contest. Five scholarships will be awarded to qualified college students who write the winning essays (for first, second, third, fourth, and fifth places).

Learn more at Addictions.com

The Pennsylvania Society's Benjamin Franklin Scholar Award invites Pennsylvania public school juniors to submit an original essay discussing the modern-day relevance of a Benjamin Franklin quote.

Eligibility: PA public school juniors

The American Association of University Women, Harrisburg branch, announces six college scholarships available to women from Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry County who are pursuing degrees in the 2023-2024 academic year. 

 The Beverly J. Smith Memorial Scholarship ($2,500) will be awarded to a female resident of Dauphin, Cumberland, or Perry County who attends an accredited college or university in Pennsylvania in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. Requirements include completion of 60 credits, a minimum 3.40 GPA, demonstration of financial need, and enrollment as a full-time student for the 2023-2024 academic year. 

The Member Memorial Scholarship ($1,500) will be awarded to a female resident of Dauphin, Cumberland, or Perry County who attends an accredited college or university in Pennsylvania in pursuit of an associate or bachelor’s degree. Requirements include completion of 15 credits, minimum 3.00 GPA, demonstration of financial need, and enrollment on at least a half-time basis (6 credits per term) for the 2023-2024 academic year. 

The Ronald D. and Kathleen A. Krausse STEM Scholarship ($1,500) will be awarded to a female resident of Dauphin, Cumberland, or Perry County who attends an accredited college or university in Pennsylvania in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in a STEM major. Requirements include completion of 30 credits, minimum 3.00 GPA, demonstration of financial need, and enrollment as a full-time student in the 2023-2024 academic year. 

The Sally C. Chamberlain Scholarship ($1,500) will be awarded to a female resident of Dauphin, Cumberland, or Perry County who is seeking to resume or renew academic work for credit towards career employment or advancement, for example, those who have experienced interruptions in their post-secondary education and want to resume their studies. Requirements include completion of 15 credits toward an associate or bachelor’s degree, a minimum 2.9 GPA, demonstration of financial need, and enrollment on at least a half-time basis (6 credits per term) at a college or university in Pennsylvania for the 2023-2024 academic year. 

The Jack Sherwin Memorial Humanities Scholarship ($1,500) will be awarded to a female resident of Dauphin, Cumberland, or Perry County who attends an accredited college or university in Pennsylvania in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in the humanities (e.g. history, philosophy and religion, modern and ancient languages and literatures, fine and performing arts, media and cultural studies). Requirements include completion of 30 credits, minimum 3.00 GPA, demonstration of financial need, and enrollment as a full-time student in the 2023-2024 academic year. 

The Jack Sherwin Memorial Political Science Scholarship ($1,500) will be awarded to a female resident of Dauphin, Cumberland, or Perry County who attends an accredited college or university in Pennsylvania in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in political science, international studies, foreign policy, or related academic majors. Requirements include completion of 30 credits, minimum 3.00 GPA, demonstration of financial need, and enrollment as a full-time student in the 2023-2024 academic year.  

Contact Information: AAUW Scholarship Committee at HbgAAUWScholarship@gmail.com

Bethlehem Branch AAUW awards college scholarships to female high school seniors and to women whose education has been interrupted.

Scholarships are based on academic promise and financial need.

Eligibility: Adult women residing in the Lehigh Valley who are pursuing a bachelor's degree.

The Women's Business Council Scholarship recognizes outstanding female high school seniors & adult learners who have demonstrated academic ability and a commitment to learning, achievement, and community service.

Eligibility: Female high school seniors & adult learners who wish to attend a higher education institution and who have graduated from high school at least one year ago.

Mensa Foundation's college scholarship program bases its awards totally on essays written by the applicants. Consideration is not given to grades, academic program or financial need.

Application process opens September 15 and closes January 15.

Eligibility: U.S. citizen students who are enrolled in accredited colleges.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund recipients are selected based on merit. Award amounts range from $500 - $5,000, based on relative need. Must be of Hispanic Heritage.

Eligibility: Students of Hispanic heritage, for undergraduate and graduate students.

The African American Business Leaders Council Scholarship recognizes outstanding African American high school seniors & adult learners who have demonstrated academic ability and a commitment to learning, achievement, and community service.

Eligibility: African American high school seniors & African American adult learners who wish to attend a higher education institution and who have graduated from high school at least one year ago.

The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship offers college scholarships of up to $40,000 for high school seniors nationwide who showcase leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship.

Eligibility: high school seniors enrolling in a 4-year college/university.

Sallie Mae cares about providing you the resources needed to successfully navigate financing college. That's why we're offering you the opportunity to earn a $2,000 scholarship. We know that college is a big step forward in achieving your goals and we want to help you get there using all the tools Sallie Mae has to offer.

Eligibility: Upcoming undergraduate or current undergraduate student.

The Sallie Mae Fund’s Completing the Dream Scholarship Program for High School Seniors helps make the dream of higher education a reality for outstanding high school seniors from historically underserved communities.

Eligibility: Enrolled full-time or part-time in either a Two-year, Four-year, or Vocational certification program.

0 essays. 0 report cards. 1 solid financial bump.

Enter to win the Citizen Scholarship, and you're in the running for a monthly $2,500 prize, and eventually our yearly $15,000 prize towards tuition.

Eligibility: High school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students.

Throughout the year, 12 winners will be randomly selected to receive a $5,000 Discover® Student Loans Scholarship Award to help cover college expenses.

Eligibility: High school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students.

The YPC Student of the Year Scholarship is awarded to a high school senior or an undergraduate/graduate student from the Lehigh Valley that is currently attending a university/college in the Lehigh Valley. 

Eligibility: Current senior in high school or an undergraduate/graduate student from the Lehigh Valley that is currently attending a university/college in the Lehigh Valley.

The SmartSolar Sustainability Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship that’s open to all students who strive to make sustainable choices.

Eligibility: High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students.

The Mental Health Importance Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship open to any student who believes mental health is important. Open to high school seniors and current undergraduate students.

Eligibility: High school seniors and undergraduate students.

Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students.

Learn more about this scholarship.

Eligibility: Student resides in Northampton County, PA, and must be accepted or enrolled in a healthcare related program.

Learn more about this scholarship.

Eligibility: Current or incoming Law or Law-adjacent major students.

Learn more about this scholarship.

Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in the last two years of a nursing program, be in the upper 25% of his/her class, and have a 3.2 grade point or above.

Learn more about this scholarship.

Eligibility: Students planning to or are already enrolled in an accredited 4-year university.

Learn more about this scholarship.

Eligibility: High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students majoring in a sports or sports-adjacent subject.

Learn more about this scholarship.

Eligibility: Student who is or has graduated from a high school within the Lehigh Valley and will attend a 4-year institution.

Learn more about this scholarship.

Learn more about the eligibility requirements for this scholarship.

Learn more about the eligibility requirements for this scholarship.

Learn more about the eligibility requirements for this scholarship.

Learn more about the eligibility requirements for this scholarship.

Learn more about the eligibility requirements for this scholarship.

Scholarships from the Stabler Grant are a “debt of conscience” in that recipients are asked to “pay it forward” with future donations to the Stabler Grant endowment fund.

The Stabler Scholarship for DeSales Accelerated BSN students is primarily need-based, although academic excellence may also be considered. Qualified applicants can receive up to $5,000.

Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler founded this generous scholarship in recognition that many people might not be able to afford higher education without financial assistance. The Stablers believed that those receiving financial aid should recognize an obligation to reciprocate by aiding future students in the future. 

The Dr. Carolyn Hollshwandner Scholarship is primarily a need-based scholarship, although academic excellence may also be considered. Qualified recipients can receive up to $5,000. 

This scholarship is named for the founder and long-time nursing department chair at DeSales.

Scholarship applications will be accepted until end of January.

Only accepted students who have secured their seat for the upcoming May cohort can apply. Scholarship money will be awarded and divided into four equal amounts to be disbursed over all four academic terms

How to Apply

1. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA).
2. Submit an essay which includes the following:
   • Why you are applying for the Stabler/Hollschwandner Scholarship
   • Describe your financial need (including relocation or housing needs)
   • Provide any additional special circumstances that pertain to your need for a scholarship
   • Describe how this scholarship will impact your future endeavors in nursing

Send your completed essay as an attachment to:
Nursing@desales.edu
Subject line: ABSN Scholarships
Include the date of your FASFA submission in the email.