Note: This article will be updated as new information becomes available, so check back frequently for scholarship application deadlines for the 2024-25 school year.
Philadelphia is home to over 100 high schools, both public and private. Public schools include both District and charter schools and are free for all Philadelphia residents to attend.
Private schools include private Catholic schools run by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, private religious schools (including religions other than Catholicism), and private secular schools. These schools require that students pay tuition. While it can be challenging to decide which high school is the best fit for your child, an even greater challenge can be paying for school, should you decide to go the private school route. Luckily, there are resources available to help with some of the financial burden.
GreatPhillySchools and Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP), has put together a list of some of those resources. Use this article to find out which scholarships your student qualifies for and when to apply for them.
Scholarships
BLOCS is an organization working to provide families with access to high quality Catholic schools in the Philadelphia area. BLOCS provides around 20 million in scholarship funds to families each year.
Qualifications: income of less than $100,608 (one dependent). For each additional dependent, add $15,608 per child.
Note: Open enrollment
Bridge Educational Foundation utilizes support from donors and local citizens to increase educational options for low-income families.
Qualifications: Student resides in the attendance boundaries of a Pennsylvania school with test scores in the bottom 15% percent, as listed by the PA Department of Education; student is enrolled in a school eligible to receive OSTC scholarship students; family makes no more than $88,036 (one dependent), with $15,608 for each additional dependent living in the same household.
Note: There is no scholarship application for families. Instead, contact the private school where you plan to enroll your child about making a scholarship request to Bridge on your behalf.
The Children’s Educational Opportunity Fund provides scholarships of up $3500 (or 80% of tuition if that is less) to families seeking to transfer from a public school to a private school.
Qualifications: student must be currently enrolled in a public school and looking to enroll in a private school; total parent income does not exceed $60,000 annually; student currently resides in Pennsylvania; student is enrolled in grades 2-11; parent must submit documentation of all income sources.
The Charles E. Ellis Trust for Girls “helps eligible young women in Philadelphia excel in high school and be prepared for post-secondary success.” This includes both scholarships to private schools or funds for extra-curricular activities for students in public schools.
Qualifications: student lives in Philadelphia; student lives in a household where one or both parent(s) are absent, or mentally or physically disabled; student is eligible for reduced-price lunch; have grades C or better in major subjects; student can prove dependency status; students family does not own property other than their primary home.
The Howley Foundation gives four year scholarships and tuition assistance to elementary, high school and college students.
Qualifications: Scholarships can be redeemed at Bonner Prendergast Catholic High School, Cristo Rey High School, Merion Mercy Academy, Roman Catholic High School, Saint John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, and West Catholic Preparatory High School. Students apply for the scholarship through the school. Candidates must demonstrate significant financial need as defined by the financial aid evaluation process currently used by the private school; have scores on admissions test/standardized tests to indicate a high probability of success; demonstrate a level of academic achievement; exhibit a high probability of ongoing participation and meaningful contribution in at least one extracurricular activity; demonstrate strong evidence of the family support and the cultural attributes necessary to succeed.
John T. Mitchell Memorial Trust Scholarship
The John T. Mitchell Memorial Trust Scholarship provides at least one single-year scholarship of up to $2,000 to selected candidates.
Qualifications: African American Catholic; at least a cumulative B (or the numerical equivalent) average; financial need as determined by a SmartAid application; between 40 and 80 hours of community service per academic year; attend or desire to attend a high school in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The Maguire Scholars Program partners with Independence Mission Schools, Faith in the Future, and other high schools to create tomorrow’s leaders.
Amount: $3,000 per year
Qualifications: financial need; 85 average in the 7th and 8th grade; commitment to community service and extracurricular activity; minimal absences and lateness.
Officer Daniel Boyle Scholarship Fund
The Officer Daniel Boyle Scholarship Fund grants aid to students to keep the memory of Officer Daniel Boyle alive.
Qualifications: students attending or planning to attend Archbishop Ryan High School, Monsignor Bonner, Cardinal O’Hara, Cardinal Brennan, and Roman Catholic High School.
St. Thomas More Alumni Association
The St. Thomas More Alumni Association provides both national scholarships and Philadelphia-specific scholarships to Catholic schools.
Qualifications: To be considered, nominees must be related to or recommended by an STM Alumnus; plan on attending a catholic high school for the next academic year; be active in school, sports, or church activities; have a good academic record; be involved in community serve.
The Cooke Young Scholars Program selects high-performing students to receive high school and pre-college counseling, financial aid for school, summer programming, internships, etc. for five years.
Qualifications: earned all or mostly A’s since the 6th grade; family income that does not exceed $95,000.
More information
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