Program Highlights

PaSSS provides select students with opportunities to earn funding to support summer course enrollment and engagement opportunities during the semester prior to their first year and continuing through the first and second years of enrollment at a Penn State Commonwealth campus that participates in PaSSS.

During the initial summer, the PaSSS program is designed to help first-year students network with campus faculty and staff, make friends early within a learning community, and get a head-start on college. Participating in the PaSSS program will give you a smoother transition from high school to college, to improve your chances of graduating in four years or less, and, ultimately, to help you save money and reduce college debt.

PaSSS 2021 course offerings will run six weeks from June 30 through August 13, with classes and programming 4 days per week. Monday through Thursday, from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. A program kickoff will occur on Monday, June 28, or Tuesday, June 29.

Participants will:

  • Make early progress toward a Penn State Degree by completing two courses, which will advance academic progress and fulfill general education requirements, regardless of major
  • Receive a $2,000 scholarship applied to tuition for two 3-credit courses
  • Participate in academic success, peer mentoring, and co-curricular programming designed to help develop strong study habits, support student success, and enhance the student engagement experience in preparation for a full schedule of classes in the fall
  • Participate in Math Academy to increase college readiness
  • Continue with cohort connections, peer mentoring, and a PaSSS first-year seminar during the fall and spring semesters
  • Build your resume early through campus work experience and the opportunity to serve as a peer mentor in future summers
  • Have the opportunity to take up to 12 credits across the summers after the first and/or second year with a maximum award of $4,000 and earn additional funds through fulfilling a personalized engagement plan—developed during the program—that offers PaSSS students the opportunity to conduct research with a faculty member, earn a stipend for an unpaid internship or service learning project, or continue campus employment

Courses

INART 1: The Arts (In-person)
Want to be an art critic? Students will develop critical perception, knowledge, and judgments through an examination of the basic concepts common among the arts.
Instructor: Patrick Daugherty

CAS 206: Mediation and Communication (In-person)
Do you want to develop skills to resolve conflict in a peaceful way? Modern uses of mediation to resolve conflict extend from the playground to essential functions in society, for example, labor relations, legal systems, government operations, including international relations, and family disputes. Students will be introduced to the communication bedrock on which mediation rests.
Instructor: LaVarr McBride

First Summer Program Costs and Campus Employment Benefits

Estimated Tuition

Tuition for six credits (two courses): $3,270
Summer Student Fee $187.00

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TUITION COSTS: $2,000

ESTIMATED TUITION/FEE OWED AFTER SCHOLARSHIP IS APPLIED: $1,457*
*without possible student aid eligibility from the 2020-21 FAFSA

Books

Estimated Costs: $200

Campus Employment

In addition, you will be offered an on-campus job, which will start in the summer 2021 and can continue throughout fall 2021 and spring 2022, at the rate of $10/hour with the potential to earn up to $1,000.

Enrollment Date

To enroll in PaSSS, you must accept your offer of admission to Penn State Fayette by paying the $230 acceptance fees and submit the Enrollment Reply Form.

Next Steps to New Student Orientation and PaSSS

As a PaSSS student, you will attend New Student Orientation (NSO) by June 24th, final round of June NSO prior to the PaSSS program kickoff. Your virtual Penn State New Student Orientation experience will combine opportunities for real-time engagement with Penn State staff, Orientation Leaders, and Academic Advisers with a series of self-paced online modules.

The Student Success Center will begin to accept reservations for orientation in April 2021. When you make a reservation for orientation, you should select a start date that allows you to complete all synchronous and asynchronous orientation activities, except for the advising meeting, within 2 days. Students will be eligible to meet with an academic adviser once these items are complete.

Check out all of your next steps to NSO on our website at: New Student Orientation Programs.