Dickinson-Cumberland County Scholarship

The Dickinson-Cumberland County Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship awarded annually to a Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, resident who wishes to pursue a world-class education right here in their home county. The successful candidate will demonstrate academic excellence, engagement in the community, a drive to confront important issues and a strong sense of integrity, selflessness and service.

Eligibility

Candidates must be residents of Cumberland County with a permanent Cumberland County postal address at the time of the award, with the intention of entering college the following fall. Candidates do not need to be enrolled in any particular high school; they may attend any Cumberland County school or be homeschooled. Preference will be given in the scholarship selection process to candidates with demonstrated financial need. Dependents of Dickinson employees eligible for tuition remission are exempt. Nominations will be invited from the local community, and candidates may also self-nominate.

Applying

Applicants for the Dickinson-Cumberland County Scholarship must apply using the Common Application and complete the application by the January 15 Regular Decision deadline. Students applying in Early Decision may find that their applications for admission are deferred to the Regular Decision round to align with scholarship selection, however, this will not impact the students' chances for admission. The application fee will be waived for Dickinson-Cumberland County Scholarship applicants. Additional requirements:

Response to the Dickinson-Cumberland County essay prompt: What does “engaged citizenship” mean to you? Please share a time when you have engaged in service or leadership in the community (school, church, local or other community). In what way would attending Dickinson allow you to continue to invest in your community? (500-750 words)
Interview: Candidates selected for an interview will be notified shortly after the January 15 application deadline of the dates and times available for interviews with the selection committee.
CSS Profile and FAFSA forms need to be submitted by the selected application deadline for those applying for need-based financial aid.

Scholarship Committee

The Dickinson-Cumberland County Scholarship Committee will include the vice president for enrollment/dean of admissions, one member of the Dickinson faculty, one representative from the faculty or administration of a Cumberland County high school and two representatives of the community.

Selection

The committee will recommend to the president one awardee and one alternate. The awardee and alternate will be notified of their selection by mid-March. Response by the awardee to the Dickinson-Cumberland County Scholarship offer will be due by May 1. The alternate will be notified as soon as the awardee has responded to the offer, no later than May 15.

Maintaining the Scholarship

The Dickinson-Cumberland County Scholarship is intended as a four-year scholarship. The recipient will keep the scholarship by maintaining good academic standing (2.0 or better) over eight semesters of study. The award will apply to off-campus study in a Dickinson or Dickinson-affiliated program within those eight semesters of study.

Questions

Please contact Cumberland County's admissions counselor, Angela Fernandez Barone, with any questions.

Note that this was previously the Dickinson-Carlisle Scholarship and was expanded in 2021 to be open to a greater number of talented students in the region.