2009-10 Last Dollar Scholarship Application For New Students

2009-10 Last Dollar Scholarship Application For Returning Students

Community Service Information Sheet

Change of Status Form

Background

The Philadelphia Scholars Program was established at The Ed Fund in 1990, in conjunction with the College Access Program, to promote college access and success. The program awards "Last Dollar Scholarships" for undergraduate study to graduates of 22 public neighborhood high schools across Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Scholars Advisory Committee oversees an $18 million dollar endowment committed for future generations of Philadelphia Scholars. This volunteer committee, chaired by A. Morris Williams, Jr., also helps to raise funds for scholarships. Our Philadelphia Scholars attend over 60 different colleges and universities across the country. Mr. Williams has served as committee chair, since the program's inception.

Each year, the Philadelphia Scholars are honored at an annual event, the Celebration of Scholars. This year, Shanee Garner, a 2007 graduate from Chestnut Hill College, gave the keynote address.

The Last Dollar Scholarship

A Last Dollar Scholarship (LDS) is a type of need-based award. The Last Dollar Scholarships awarded by The Philadelphia Scholars Program are determined by subtracting the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid Award package from a student's total Cost of College Attendance. Annual Award amounts range from $200 to $5,000 depending on a student's unmet financial need and level in the program. These "last dollars" are intended to fill the gap between students' financial aid and the real costs of college, such as travel expenses, books and supplies, and even computers.

Requirements

Students must have been an active Philadelphia Education Fund College Access program student and a graduate of the 22 Philadelphia area high schools (see list below). Students must be fully enrolled, pursuing an Associates or Bachelors degree at an accredited college or university. Each student is required to participate in 10 hours of community service per academic year, while attending his or her college or university as a condition of the award. Scholarships can be received for a maximum of 6 years and are for undergraduate study only. This money is gift aid that does not have to be repaid. A new application must be completed and submitted along with required application materials, each year. Awards are not automatically renewed.

Eligible Schools

Benjamin Franklin High School
Germantown High School
Kensington Business, Finance, & Entrepreneurship High School
Kensington Creative & Performing Arts High School
Kensington High School for Culinary Arts
Lankenau High School
Northeast High School
Olney High School East
Olney High School West
Parkway West (formerly Gamma) High School
Paul Robeson High School
Rhodes Leadership Academy
Robert Vaux High School
Roxborough High School
Simon Gratz High School
Strawberry Mansion High School
Thomas A. Edison High School
Thomas Fitzsimons High School
West Philadelphia High School
William L. Sayre High School
William Penn High School
University City High School

Contact Information

Angela Smith
Scholars Coordinator
Philadelphia Education Fund
Seven Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Suite 700
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 665-1400, ext. 3342
asmith@philaedfund.org