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Winning a college scholarship can not just play a huge part in supporting a student through college, but can also provide the student with a valuable mentorship network and community. In addition, since Pennsylvania is a large state, many Pennsylvania scholarships are highly competitive in nature. Thus, it can be a distinctive honor to be chosen as a recipient. In this post, we provide the ultimate list of the top 10 Pennsylvania scholarships for high schoolers in 2024. 

1. NAAAP Philadelphia Future Leaders Scholarship

• Description: Created in 2010, this scholarship aims to recognize and reward Asian American students in the Philadelphia region who have demonstrated strong leadership potential.
• Eligibility: Asian American/Asian descent, high school senior with cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, currently attends a greater Philadelphia high school.
• Application: Application, essay, resume, and unofficial transcript from student. 1-2 recommendations.
• Amount: $2,000 toward tuition, books, and living expenses
• Deadline: May 11, 2024. Finalist interviews occur at the end of May.

2. Pennsylvania House of Representatives Scholarship

• Description: Sponsored by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, this program consists of multiple scholarships funded by individual and corporate donors, so the fund size varies year-to-year. Applications are judged by a panel of community volunteers who assess students based on donor criteria.
• Eligibility: High school senior with minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, legal residency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, expected attendance at a Pennsylvania higher-ed institution, demonstrated involvement in community and leadership activities, financial need
• Amount: $500 to $10,000 per year (around half are one-time awards, the other half are renewable)
• Deadline: May 1, 2024

3.Craig D. Butler Scholarship

• Description: This Pennsylvania scholarship supports underserved young adults to pursue higher education. The program aims to instill philanthropy in driven students. Selection is merit-based; however, the website states that financial aid is considered (applicants are encouraged nonetheless to apply).
• Eligibility: Be of African American descent with GPA of at least 3.0/4.0, planning on attending 2 or 4-year university/accredited vocational-technical school
• Application: Application packet including official transcript, SAT/ACT scores, 2 recommendations, and essay discussing why you applied for the scholarship and why you are a good candidate
• Amount: $1,000 paid directly to college/university
• Deadline: Around April of each year

4. Conservation Officers of Pennsylvania Scholarship

• Description: Created by the Pittsburgh Foundation, this scholarship aims to provide financial support for Pennsylvania students planning on enrolling in a degree program studying the conservation of wildlife.
• Eligibility: Current senior, reside in Pennsylvania, pursuing degree/studies in wildlife, have PA CID number, minimum GPA of 3.0, preference given to students associated with Conservation Officers of Pennsylvania (COPA), the PA Game Commission or the PA Fish and Boat Commission
• Application: Essay, FAFSA, 2 letters of recommendation, unofficial transcript
• Amount: $1,000 (one-time award)
• Deadline: Around January of each year

To maximize your chances of winning, make sure to watch the comprehensive guide above on how to secure competitive scholarships. We’ve got you covered on finding Pennsylvania scholarships, but make sure you take advantage of these tips for how to win them too!

Now that you’ve got the skills equipped to approach scholarship applications, let’s continue on with our curated list of Pennsylvania scholarships.

5. Melville Alexander Eberhardt Memorial Fund

• Description: Also created by the Pittsburgh Foundation, this scholarship aims to provide financial support for deserving high school graduates who are residents of Pennsylvania.
• Eligibility: Current senior, reside in Pennsylvania, demonstrated financial need, minimum GPA of 3.0, plan to attend vocational/trade school or 2/4-year college
• Amount: $4,000
• Application: Provide list of extracurriculars and submit essay (prompt: A 500 word essay discussing the impact you wish to make to society through your career goals and how your major will be the vehicle to drive that impact to fruition), official transcript, copy of Student Aid Report (SAR), letter(s) of reference
• Deadline: Around April of each year

6. Road To Safety Scholarship

• Description: This is one of the more unique Pennsylvania scholarships on this list. Each year, students submit creative projects about the risks associated with drunk or distracted driving to this program sponsored by the Metzger Wickersham law firm.
• Eligibility: Graduating, college-bound high school seniors who reside in Penn
• Amount: First place: $1,000; Second: $750; Third: $500
• Application: Entries can be in the form of a poster, painting/drawing, digital design, video/audio PSA, or song/dance composition
• Deadline: Around Mid-April of each year

7. Zakat Foundation Scholarships

• Description: This scholarship program supports and celebrates students who are actively involved in their community and engage in charity and service.
• Eligibility: High school senior entering 2 or 4-year college, resident of one of 14 states (Pennsylvania included), heavily involved in community service
• Amount: $500
• Application: 500-word essay (prompt: Tell us about your relationship with your community and how it has affected your current involvements and future pursuits with community service.), 1-3 letters of recommendation, list of volunteer activities
• Deadline: May 15, 2024

8. Lehigh Valley Professional Section Scholarship Program

• Description: Founded by the Society of Women Engineers, this scholarship aims to support high school senior women planning on majoring in engineering. Evaluation is based on academic achievement, extracurriculars, and leadership.
• Eligibility: High school senior, female-identifying, Pennsylvania resident, planning on majoring in engineering in college/university
• Amount: $5,000 (one-time award)
• Application: Essay and activities form, 1 evaluation form, transcript submitted from guidance office, university acceptance letters, optional info supplement
• Deadline: Late-January of each year

9. Daniel Triano Officiating Scholarship

• Description: This scholarship honors the memory of 17-year-old Daniel Triano by supporting a student who plans to continue their education post-high school and is a part of USA Hockey Officiating in the AAHA.
• Eligibility: New Jersey, Penn, or Delaware resident, high school senior, current USA Hockey registered official (for a minimum of two seasons)
• Amount: $1,000
• Application: School transcript, 2 teacher recommendations, officiating assignor or supervisor recommendation, SAT/ACT, 500-word essay on the topic of “The Value of Officiating Hockey to My Personal Development”
• Deadline: Early-April of each calendar year

10. Hope Through Learning Award

• Description: Sponsored by the Homeless Children’s Education Fund, this award helps youth who have experienced/are experiencing homelessness during their school attendance years.
• Eligibility: Experiencing or has experienced homelessness, currently residing in Allegheny County, 24 years old or younger, accepted to post-secondary educational institution, graduating at the end of the relevant school year
• Amount: $2,500
• Application: Online application submitted through Kaleidoscope
• Deadline: Early-April of each year

Concluding Remarks

This post was meant to provide you with a list of the current top Pennsylvania scholarships offered to aid you in your search. However, finding scholarships is one thing; actually getting them is a whole other ballpark. Don’t worry—here we’ve prepared the ultimate, comprehensive guide to crafting a winning application for any scholarship to help you support your educational journey.

Applying to scholarships is a numbers game. Make sure to shoot your shot at as many Pennsylvania scholarships as you can, and don’t be afraid to search outside the state, too! Best of luck!