The Pathway to Success: Summer Start (PaSSS) program’s goal is to increase the likelihood that you will graduate and earn your Penn State degree on time with the potential for significant savings in tuition and fees.  

PaSSS 2019 Group Photo

PaSSS Program Orientation will be held on Monday, June 27, 2022. Classes will begin on Wednesday, June 29, and will end Friday, August 12, 2022. Availability is limited and participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. You will need to respond by May 1 to hold your place in the program.

Program Benefits

  • PaSSS Scholarship: Up to a maximum award of $2,000 to assist in covering expenses for tuition and fees for your first summer.
  • Job Opportunity: You will be eligible for an on-campus employment opportunity earning $10 per hour.
  • Résumé Builder: Build your résumé by getting work experience and serving as a peer mentor.
  • Mentoring: You will receive mentoring by a faculty or staff member, or a peer student.
  • Increase College Readiness: Participation in the Summer Academy.
  • Earn Credits: You can earn credits during the summer while taking courses in a relaxed setting.
  • Learn about your campus resources: You can get acquainted with Penn State York and its resources that are available.
  • Meet Classmates: You can create lasting friendships with other first-year students.
  • Funding Eligibility in Second or Third Summer: Scholarships up to a maximum award of $4,000 to assist in covering expenses for tuition and fees for a maximum of 12 credits in your second or third summer.

All of these benefits help to build a lifetime of great Penn State experiences!

Key Components

  • PaSSS lasts six weeks during the summer prior to your first year at Penn State.
  • The 2022 program runs from June 29–August 12 (Summer Session 2).
  • If you successfully complete your first full year at Penn State, you will be eligible to continue the program and earn additional scholarship awards to take classes in your second and third summers of enrollment at a Commonwealth Campus.
  • You will take 6 credits (two courses) during the first summer and up to 12 credits (four courses) during the following two summer(s).
  • You can earn engagement funds for working on campus, for engaging in research with a faculty member, or to earn a stipend for an unpaid internship or campus or community service project.
  • You will be paired with a peer mentor who will assist with the transition to college; in the second summer, you can become a student-mentor to assist new PaSSS students.