Note: People with justice involvement interested in this scholarship should contact Rueben Jones: frontlinedads@aol.com
Combining last-dollar funding with special wrap-around support services, the program will address obstacles like tuition and fees as well as burdens that hit many Philadelphians – especially those living in poverty – particularly hard, including costs associated with food, transportation and books.
Eligible first-time, full-time students will receive last-dollar funding for up to three years, enhanced coaching and advising, and support for food, transportation and books.
Catto Scholars will receive both tuition support as well as many academic resources and services, such as:
Support toward the cost of books, food, and transportation
Career coaches and advisors to help them stay on track
Connection to existing resources like affordable housing, childcare, and other services
To become a Catto Scholar, new, first-time Community College of Philadelphia students must:
Have a high school diploma, Commonwealth Diploma or GED from:
Any high school located in Philadelphia (public, charter, private, parochial)
Pennsylvania state cyber charter
Home school
Attend Community College of Philadelphia full time (12+ credits per term)
Be Philadelphia resident for at least 12 months
Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) each year* and document an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $8,000 or less
Enter college ready or one level below college ready in English and/or Math
* Accommodations will be made for undocumented students. Complete the CollegeBoard EFC calculator. Send a screenshot of the Results page to cattoscholarship@ccp.edu for review.
How to Apply
If you are ready to take advantage of this scholarship opportunity, your first step is to apply to Community College of Philadelphia. All admission applications will be reviewed for eligibility for the Octavius Catto Scholarship. If it appears you meet the eligibility requirements, the College will send you an email outlining next steps after we have had the opportunity to review your completed admission application. Please note that filing a FAFSA is an eligibility requirement, so if you have not already done so, please submit your FAFSA.