Preparation shouldn’t be a privilege. Yet each semester, some Penn State students begin classes without the basic supplies they need due to financial hardship, unexpected crises, or competing life responsibilities.
The School Supplies for Student Success initiative, launched in fall 2024, provides free essential academic supplies, like notebooks, calculators, binders, and lab materials, to undergraduate students who need them most. This program received support from the Barnes & Noble College Grant Program for the 2024-2025 academic year, helping us remove financial barriers and support your academic journey.
In addition to the main location in the Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success (325 Boucke at the University Park campus), the initiative is connected to several smaller locations within Penn State’s colleges and campuses.
What to Expect When You Visit
Students can visit every two weeks and take up to five items per visit. When entering the school supply room, students will be asked to swipe their student ID to check-in and to complete a brief check-out form on the way out (accessible via QR code).
Our supply closet is stocked with a variety of essential items, including:
- Notebooks, pens, pencils, and highlighters
- Binders, folders, and index cards
- Calculators and flash drives
- Sticky notes, erasers, and more!
Supplies are subject to availability; follow the Chaiken Center on social media (@psu_success) for the latest updates on our inventory.
Ways to Support
As we work to maintain our inventory to meet demand, your support is invaluable. To donate, please visit our Amazon Wishlist or make a monetary contribution to the Center.
While the 2024-2025 program was jumpstarted by a one-time grant from the Barnes & Noble College Grant Program, ongoing support from the community will be essential to sustaining this initiative in future years. Every donation makes a difference in helping Penn State students succeed!