School Supplies for Student Success

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.

Navy backpack with school supplies sticking out and a letter S on the front

Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success

325 Boucke Building, 325 Pollock Road, University Park, PA 16802
814-865-6101 | Email Us

Drop-in to the Center M-F 9 to 4

Schedule with our team

Schedule with a Peer Coach

What Items Are Available?

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.

What to Expect

Supplies

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).

Where to Find Free Supplies

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:

At University Park

  • College of Agriculture Sciences
  • College of Earth & Mineral Sciences

Across the Commonwealth:

  • Penn State Altoona
  • Penn State Hazelton

Support Access to Free Supplies

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!