The Sutherland Building at Penn State Abington.
ABINGTON, Pa. — Barnes & Noble College awarded a total of $38,000 to Penn State Abington across two academic years for campus bookstore gift cards, which are given to students to reduce the burden of textbook costs for those with unmet financial need. The grant was awarded through a program started in 2015. This year, Barnes & Noble College awarded a total of $165,000 across the University.
The gift cards, in denominations of $100, are redeemed at the campus bookstore, which is operated by Barnes & Noble. They are awarded to students who receive federal Pell Grants as undergraduates with exceptional financial need. About 38% of Abington students are eligible for Pell Grants.
One recipient of a Barnes & Noble gift card stated, “I am grateful for this gift card program. Like many other students, I pay out of pocket for textbooks, which are normally very expensive. This gift card reduced my stress about paying for textbooks. I was able to purchase the required textbooks and supplies, which made me more prepared to begin the semester on a high note. It was a tremendous help.”
The awards are processed through the campus Student Emergency Assistance Fund. Applications for the Barnes & Noble gift cards are reviewed by the Office of Financial Aid on a first-come, first-served basis.
Gifts to Penn State Abington will advance “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” a focused campaign that seeks to elevate Penn State’s position as a leading public university in a world defined by rapid change and global connections. With the support of alumni and friends, “A Greater Penn State” seeks to fulfill the three key imperatives of a 21st-century public university: keeping the doors to higher education open to hardworking students regardless of financial well-being; creating transformative experiences that go beyond the classroom; and impacting the world by serving communities and fueling discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. To learn more, visit greaterpennstate.psu.edu.
About Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With about 3,700 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 23 majors, undergraduate research, the Schreyer honors program, NCAA Division III athletics and more.
