50th Anniversary PROMISE Scholarship

Philadelphia High School Students: Here’s Your Chance to Attend College DEBT FREE

If you’re a Philadelphia high school student graduating in 2020, you may be able to pursue an associate degree at Community College of Philadelphia with no cost for tuition and fees starting with the fall 2020 semester. 

Your first step is to apply to Community College of Philadelphia.

To be considered for the scholarship, you must apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be eligible to receive the Pell Grant. Financial aid grant dollars received will be applied; the College will provide financial support for tuition and fees unmet by grants.

Eligibility Requirements

The 50th Anniversary PROMISE Scholarship is open to all Philadelphia high school students who graduate in 2020 and meet the following requirements:

  • Graduate from a Philadelphia high school in 2020 and enroll in the College in fall 2020
  • Provide residency verification to be eligible to pay in-county tuition and fees for classes taken at the College
  • File a FAFSA by June 1, 2020 and qualify as Pell-eligible
  • Satisfy college-level placement requirement (a minimum placement in English 101 and Math 017 required)
  • Enroll full-time (at least 12 credits) for each semester
  • Enroll in a degree program of study

Important Deadlines for Eligibility

  • FASFA filed by June 1, 2020
  • FASFA—all documentation submitted by July 14, 2020

Maintaining Eligibility

After application of your financial aid grants, the College will cover all remaining tuition and fees (up to 15 credits) for up to three years (excluding summers) or until the completion of your associate degree, whichever comes first. Continuation of the award is contingent on the following requirements:

  • Enroll full-time
  • Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average at the end of each academic year
  • Complete 20+ credits prior to your 2nd year, or 42+ credits prior to the start of your third year
  • File a FAFSA renewal by May 1 and qualify as Pell-eligible for each year of eligibility
  • Meet with an assigned advisor or counselor at least once per semester
  • Participate in student success support programs and activities designed to ensure success at the College
  • Maintain enrollment in a degree program and make satisfactory academic progress each semester
  • Comply with residency requirements
  • Comply with all requirements of the 50th Anniversary PROMISE Scholarship

Residency Requirements for the 50thAnniversary PROMISE Scholarship

Students must provide Community College of Philadelphia with residency verification in order to be eligible to pay in-county tuition and fees for classes taken at the College. These documents verify your physical presence in Philadelphia and intent to remain in Philadelphia while matriculated at the College. Any students incorrectly classified as residents of Philadelphia will be responsible for payment and repayment of non-county tuition. Students will be required to provide at least two documents to confirm their residency. Copies of these documents must:

  • Be dated to show physical presence and intent to reside in Philadelphia County
  • Have the student’s name printed on the documents
  • Include a physical Philadelphia county address

Acceptable documents include the following:

PA Driver’s License/ID card with Philadelphia county address (issued at least three months ago) Philadelphia county Voter registration card (issued at least three months ago
Bank account statements (showing Philadelphia address) Pay stub(s) with Philadelphia home address showing paid Philadelphia wage taxes (at least the past three months)
High school transcript from a Philadelphia county high school showing school attendance in Philadelphia for at least the past three months Notarized letter from parent/guardian including address information and dates of residency (must be accompanied by current apartment lease or mortgage information with your parent/guardian's name on it)
Federal/PA State Income Tax forms and/or W-2 wage statements with Philadelphia county address  (most current) Documentation of ownership of residential property or of continuous occupancy of rented or leased property in your name in Philadelphia county

 

NOTE: Only students who are U.S. Citizens or permanent residents who reside in Philadelphia and have graduated from a Philadelphia high school within the Philadelphia city limits are eligible for the 50th Anniversary PROMISE Scholarship.

Make a Gift to the 50th Anniversary PROMISE Scholarship

Because of generous donations to the 50th Anniversary Scholars Program, students are able to focus on what matters most: their future.

Make a Gift Today

Go to College without Breaking the Bank

Tuition Savings

Average Yearly Tuition Costs
Private Colleges: $37,198 For-profit Institutions: $15,172 Public Colleges: $13,246 Community College of Philadelphia: $5,550