The Pittsburgh Promise
The Pittsburgh Promise is a local last-dollar program for students connected to Pittsburgh Public Schools and certain charter schools. The organization has announced a planning detail families should not miss: the class graduating in 2028 will be the final class receiving Promise scholarships. Under the standard pathway, students must have lived in the city continuously since ninth grade, remained enrolled at an eligible school, and graduated with at least a 2.50 unweighted c
About The Pittsburgh Promise
The Pittsburgh Promise is a local last-dollar program for students connected to Pittsburgh Public Schools and certain charter schools. The organization has announced a planning detail families should not miss: the class graduating in 2028 will be the final class receiving Promise scholarships. Under the standard pathway, students must have lived in the city continuously since ninth grade, remained enrolled at an eligible school, and graduated with at least a 2.50 unweighted cumulative GPA and 90% attendance.
The award can reach $5,000 per year and $20,000 total for postsecondary study, subject to the balance remaining after Pell, PHEAA, FSEOG, and other scholarships. The program does not pay cash directly to the student; the institution bills the scholarship, which can reduce eligible expenses such as tuition, fees, housing, meals, and books. It cannot be used at an out-of-state school, and the final amount may be below the maximum if other aid covers the bill.
Renewal requires a 2.0 GPA, full-time enrollment as defined by the college, satisfactory progress, and a new FAFSA each year. Students graduating with a 2.0–2.49 high-school GPA may ask about Promise Extension, a one-year path restricted to specified institutions or programs and credit milestones. Appeals are submitted through the portal and, according to the site, typically take one to two weeks; speak early with a counselor if a disability, excused absence, or family change affects school records.
Who it serves and what it can cover: The Pittsburgh Promise is a local last-dollar program for students connected to Pittsburgh Public Schools and certain charter schools. The organization has announced a planning detail families should not miss: the class graduating in 2028 will be the final class receiving Promise scholarships. Under the standard pathway, students must have lived in the city continuously since ninth grade, remained enrolled at an eligible school, and graduated with at least a 2.50 unweighted cumulative GPA and 90% attendance. The award can reach $5,000 per year and $20,000 total for postsecondary study, subject to the balance remaining after Pell, PHEAA, FSEOG, and other scholarships. The program does not pay cash directly to the student; the institution bills the scholarship, which can reduce eligible expenses such as tuition, fees, housing, meals, and books. It cannot be used at an out-of-state school, and the final amount may be below the maximum if other aid covers the bill.
How to apply or get help: Renewal requires a 2.0 GPA, full-time enrollment as defined by the college, satisfactory progress, and a new FAFSA each year. Students graduating with a 2.0–2.49 high-school GPA may ask about Promise Extension, a one-year path restricted to specified institutions or programs and credit milestones. Appeals are submitted through the portal and, according to the site, typically take one to two weeks; speak early with a counselor if a disability, excused absence, or family change affects school records. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
Local scholarship and college-aid program