Helping students realize their college potential

More than 90% of the students we serve will be the first in their families to go to college. We help them recognize that they can be the trailblazers…that they are college material.

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Supporting students to reach their STEM career aspirations

PEF’s McKinney Center for STEM Education provides STEM resources to students, teachers, schools, families, and employers.

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Partnering with schools

Every student should have the opportunity to attend a college prep school. Meeting the challenge, our expert team consults with schools to build college-going cultures.

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Bringing students’ college ambitions within reach

A college education is a worthwhile investment. We help students place a downpayment on their future by awarding more than $600,000 in scholarships a year.

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Ed Compact Series

PEF convenes an education speaker series throughout the year to facilitate dialogue from our most intractable education challenges. Our team curates and produces sessions that attract the region’s most respected education leaders.

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Latest News

General News, Success Story

PhillyGoes2College Announced I Am Philly Contest Winners

By Heather ConboyPosted: June 9, 2023

PhillyGoes2College (PG2C) is PEF’s online college access solution. Through this online platform, students can gain access to critical college advising...

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College & Careers, General News, Success Story

Fostering College Readiness Trip to West Chester University’s Promise Program 

By Heather ConboyPosted: May 10, 2023

National surveys suggest that, although youth with experience in the foster care system are no less motivated than their peers,...

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College & Careers, General News

CAP Students Enjoy 9th Grade Experience at Longwood Gardens

By Heather ConboyPosted: February 24, 2023

On February 23, nearly 100 students from six high schools in the Philadelphia Education Fund’s (PEF) College Access Program (CAP)...

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For Students

PEF exists to help students achieve college and career success.

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For Teachers

PEF helps teachers develop skills and strategies that drive student success.

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For Schools

PEF supports schools in creating college-going cultures.

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Did you know?

Philadelphia is the nation’s poorest big city and ranks 92nd out of 100 US cities in college attainment.

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College graduates are 3.5 times less likely to live in poverty than those without a college degree.

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Job growth in STEM careers outpaced non-STEM jobs by 300%.