Each student selected to participate in the Pennsylvania Governor's School for International Studies is awarded a full scholarship covering room, board, and most instructional materials. Parents are responsible for providing transportation to and from the university and for health insurance and/or medical fees incurred by the student during the program. 

The direct operational costs of the PGSIS program are funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  As the host institution, the University Center for International Studies (UCIS) at the University of Pittsburgh provides space and other in-kind support.  In addition, UCIS provides monies from two U.S. Department of Education grants to PGSIS through two of its area studies programs: The Center for Latin American Studies and the Asian Studies Center. The Japan Council´s IRON & STEEL FEDERATION endowment fund also underwrites some instructional costs.