Worthy Causes
Philadelphia Scholars
Philadelphia Scholars, a signature program of the Philadelphia Education Fund, provides last-dollar college scholarships to graduates of 15 neighborhood public high schools in Philadelphia. Over the past 16 years, the Ed Fund has awarded nearly $6.2 million to approximately 1,600 Philadelphia public school students, most of whom are the first in their families to attend college. Scholarships range from $200-$5,000 and fill the gap between a student’s financial aid package and the actual cost of attending college, including tuition, fees, books and transportation. This year, Philadelphia Scholars is projected to award a milestone $1 million in scholarships for 378 of the city’s public high school graduates. To make a contribution to Philadelphia Scholars, please contact Carole Boughter, Director of Philadelphia Scholars, at Tel: 215-665-1400.
The Pennsylvania Education Funding Reform Campaign
The Pennsylvania Education Funding Reform Campaign is a joint project of The Education Law Center, the Education Policy and Leadership Center, and Good Schools Pennsylvania. These three organizations formed a collaborative with the mission to help create a state finance system that provides all children with the resources needed for an excellent public education. In 2006, these three organizations supported the approval and funding by the General Assembly of a comprehensive costing-out/adequacy study. This study will determine the cost of a quality education for every student in Pennsylvania, which is the first step toward major funding reform. First Person is proud to support this Campaign by sharing students’ stories of underfunding in Philadelphia schools. Check out First Person’s contributions and share your story.
