Keystone Scholarship
With the Cairn University Keystone Scholarship, qualifying students who live in Pennsylvania can get up to 100% of their tuition covered—starting with new students entering in Fall 2026.
You May Qualify for 100% Tuition Coverage If You:
Live in PA
Family AGI $70k or less
Pell Grant Eligible
State Grant Eligible
A Commitment to Affordability
- Live in PA: Be a legal resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Have a Family AGI of less than $70K
- Qualify for any amount of Pell Grant: Determined by the FAFSA.
- Qualify for the PA State Grant: Determined by the FAFSA.
"Key" Terms
Pell Grant – a federal grant typically awarded to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not previously earned a degree
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is the national standard for determining financial need.
New student – a student who is enrolling at Cairn University for the first time, whether a first-time freshman or a transfer student
AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) – total income from all sources, minus certain “above-the-line” deductions
Complete the FAFSA
Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and demonstrate financial need based on Pell and PA State Grant eligibility. Ensure Cairn University is listed as an institution to receive your information (school code: 003351).
FAQs
The offer is clear: Free tuition for qualifying Pennsylvania students. Supporting that offer are a lot of details that bring up important questions:
What if my AGI is higher than $70K?
This number is based on the average AGI of families who qualify for Pell and state grants. If your AGI is slightly higher, you may still qualify.
Are commuter students considered for the Cairn University Keystone Scholarship?
This scholarship requires residency on campus.
Are students who take a gap year or transfer eligible?
Assuming they meet all requirements of this scholarship, gap year and transfer students are eligible and encouraged to apply.
What if I just moved to PA?
This scholarship requires that a student is eligible for a PA state grant, so your residency must meet the requirements outlined by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).
Is this scholarship guaranteed every year?
The Cairn University Keystone Scholarship is dependent on your eligibility for state and federal aid, which is determined annually by the FAFSA. Should your family’s AGI increase to a degree that you are no longer eligible for previously received grants, a new financial aid package will be provided based on your GPA at the time of admission.
The Cairn University Keystone scholarship will be offered for a maximum of eight semesters for a four-year program, or 10 semesters for a five-year dual-level program.
What if my current AGI is considerably less than the tax year reported on my FAFSA?
If your family has experienced a change that significantly affects your ability to afford tuition, such as job loss or death of parent/spouse, please contact the Office of Financial Aid for a special circumstances review.
How do I pay for room, board, and other expenses?
Aid from Cairn University, the PA state grant, and Federal Pell grant will cover your tuition under the Cairn University Keystone Scholarship. You may utilize loan eligibility and outside private grants and scholarships to cover other costs, such as room and board.
More Questions?
Complete the FAFSA
Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and demonstrate financial need based on Pell and PA State Grant eligibility. Ensure Cairn University is listed as an institution to receive your information (school code: 003351).
Request More Information
Learn more about Cairn University