THE 2012-13 APPLICATION is live
APPLY NOW
Please contact the Philadelphia Scholars office at 215-665-1400 ext. 3344 or scholars@philaedfund.org to check your status and submit required documents.
WHAT IS THE LAST DOLLAR SCHOLARSHIP?
The Last Dollar Scholarship is a need-based "gap-filling" award. It is awarded when a family's expected family contribution (EFC) and financial aid package total are less than the cost of attendance; resulting in unmet financial need. Through the Philadelphia Education Fund, the Philadelphia Scholars Program administers Last Dollar Scholarships to high school graduates of our College Access Program and partner high schools who have a documented unmet need between $200 and $4,000 during an academic year.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE LAST DOLLAR SCHOLARSHIP?
Graduating high school seniors who actively participate in The Philadelphia Education Fund College Access Program within one of the following schools are eligible to apply:
- Bartram High School
- Kensington Creative & Performing Arts High School
- Olney Charter High School
- Paul Robeson High School
- Roxborough High School
Graduating high school seniors at the partner schools listed below are able to apply and receive information from their guidance counselor and may be eligible to receive scholarship money contingent on available funding:
- Benjamin Franklin High School
- Thomas A. Edison High School
- Thomas Fitzsimons High School
- Germantown High School
- Kensington High School for Culinary Arts
- Kensington International Business/Finance & Entrepreneurial High School
- Lankenau High School
- Mastery Charter at Simon Gratz High School
- Northeast High School
- Parkway West High School
- E. Washington Rhodes High School
- Robert Vaux High School
- William L. Sayre High School
- Strawberry Mansion High School
- University City High School
- West Philadelphia High School
DEADLINE
Applications must be submitted by Friday, June 1, 2012. Scholarships are awarded on a first come, first served basis. Supporting documents may be forwarded at a later date if necessary. Scholarship decisions will not be made until your application and all supporting documents are received and complete.
ELIGIBLE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
The Last Dollar Scholarship can be applied to any college or university that is accredited by traditional agencies such as Middle States Association, the New England Association, the Western Association, etc. (Non-traditional institutions that offer careers in nursing, vocational-technical, automotive mechanics, etc., are not eligible for the scholarship).
AWARD AMOUNTS
Scholarships are determined by subtracting the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid package from your college’s total Cost of Attendance. Annual award amounts will range from $200 to $4,000 depending on need.
Students can only receive Last Dollar Scholarships if they have unmet financial need, which the Philadelphia Scholars determines by using the above formula. If a student does not demonstrate unmet need, then he/she will be ineligible for the Last Dollar Scholarship.
MAINTAINING THE SCHOLARSHIP
- Students must have a documented unmet need that is within $200 - $4,000
- Students must be enrolled full-time (12 or more credits per semester) pursuing an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- Students are required to participate in ten (10) hours of community service each academic year that they reapply for the scholarship
- Scholarships can be renewed for a maximum of 6 years of undergraduate study only. Students must reapply each year.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Friday, June 1, 2012 – Application Deadline
- Friday, July 13, 2012 – New Student Orientation
(Required for all new scholarship recipients)
NEXT STEPS
- Step 1: Complete and submit application. Online or Via Mail.
- Step 2: Submit Required Documents
- Transcript: A copy of your transcript that reflects the most recent academic period from your respective college/ university or high school
- Financial Aid Award Letter from college/university
- Proof of Expected Family Contribution: A copy of the first page of your Student Aid Report (SAR) ( may be obtained via FAFSA website)
- Community Service Verification Form (Returning Students only): Please find this form below and have it completed by your volunteer supervisor
> Download Community Service Verification Form
You may submit supporting documents electronically, via fax or through standard mail at the following:
Via Mail:
Philadelphia Education Fund
Attn: Last Dollar Scholarship
1709 Ben Franklin Parkway, Suite 700
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Via Fax:
Attention: Last Dollar Scholarship
215-864-2494
Via Email:
scholars@philaedfund.org
Please contact Scholars staff below for any additional questions:
Vaneeda Days
Scholarship Coordinator
215-665-1400 ext. 3349
vdays@philaedfund.org
Chandra Bembery
Administrative Assistant
215-665-1400 ext. 3344
cbembery@philaedfund.org