College

Presentation Recordings and Slides

Important Tips: Avoid scholarships that are labeled as No Essay Scholarships.  These scholarships have a very low odds of you earning the scholarship.  Think of these scholarships more like sweepstakes and random drawings and not a true scholarship entry.  Do not waste your time on these No Essay Scholarships.  Scholarships without a requirement for the student to produce something are not worth your time.  No Essay Scholarships exist so the “Scholarship Provider” can make money off of selling the information of the people that enter the No Essay Scholarship to companies that will then send you lots of junk emails, postal mail, phone calls, and text messages.  Focus on scholarships with essays or something else that you need to create in addition to filling out the application.  Also note that you should NEVER pay for a scholarship, never.  

Need help? Reach out to your counselor!

• Go after scholarships with smaller award amounts as well as higher amounts: Smaller amounts often have less submissions so that means you have a better chance of being chosen.

• Search throughout the year but ensure you are prioritizing your college admissions and financial aid deadlines.  Do not ignore your FAFSA, PA Grant, or college admissions deadlines so you can complete a scholarship application. 

• Pay attention to details regarding application and submission of the scholarship.  If an application is online, complete the application online.  If the application requires you to print it out and send it in the postal mail, then you must send it in the postal mail with correct postage. 

• Adhere to all of the rules and requirements of the scholarship.  If an essay is required, write an essay that answers the prompt provided by the scholarship.  It is rare to have more than one scholarship with the same essay topic.  This can happen but it is rare.

• Questions about the scholarship should be directed to whomever is listed on the scholarship as the email and phone number for communication purposes.  Know that scholarships will not always let you know the result of your application. They get lots of submissions so they might only let you know if you have been accepted.  

• 💰PA Distance has a scholarship list that is updated throughout the year.  Check this document for information and scholarships.

• Financial Aid Webinars

• Financial Aid Resources

• Video: Types of Financial Aid

Scholarship Lists:

• PASHE: For PA Students and PA Colleges

• United Negro College Fund

• PhillyGoes2College Check this Regularly

• Philadelphia Foundation 

• Urban League of Philadelphia

• Cappex and Scholly

• Bold.org: For first generation students

• Scholarships for students that have been in foster care ⭐ 

convert to doc:

financial aid 101 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jQ1btOY1HM24iYiE96utQuK0so9rsC22/view

financial aid guide - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eNrLZ0ke3wZUFBqy4hlcocpZkBLtI0w3/view

PDLCS Scholarship List - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JdrVuXLNe6-CN78l7GjQM6UsLX8yfApPK4FwIgEdJkM/edit#heading=h.rz6u44ri5p7l