Philadelphia Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Philadelphia Foundation

Description The Philadelphia Foundation’s scholarship portal (SmarterSelect) matches applicants to multiple scholarship opportunities through a single application workflow. Applicants complete an initial eligibility questionnaire, then are shown scholarships for which they qualify and complete any required supplemental questions and short essays. The portal centralizes documents and information so that completing one application can populate fields across multiple scholarships. This section explains what the system does and what to expect at a high level. - Key takeaway: One portal (SmarterSelect) is used to find and apply to multiple scholarships. - Key takeaway: Initial eligibility questions drive the scholarship matching. - Key takeaway: Supplemental questions and essays are required for many individual scholarships. - Key takeaway: Uploaded documents and entered information can be reused across selected applications. Eligibility All applicants must meet certain baseline criteria to be considered for scholarships available through the portal. Applicants generally must be graduating high school seniors who are accepted to or enrolled in an accredited post‑secondary institution (college, university, or vocational/technical program). Financial need is required and is assessed using FAFSA; the Foundation considers both student and parental income and assets. Geographic residency is required for most scholarships (Greater Philadelphia region), though students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) may qualify regardless of state residence. - Key takeaway: Must be a graduating high school senior. - Key takeaway: Must be accepted/enrolled at an accredited U.S. post‑secondary institution. - Key takeaway: Must demonstrate unmet financial need via FAFSA. - Key takeaway: Most scholarships require Greater Philadelphia residency; exceptions exist for HBCU attendees. Available Scholarships The portal presents a list of active scholarships and detailed eligibility/requirements for each award. After completing the eligibility questions, use the search results to review each scholarship’s description, required materials, and any unique criteria. Each scholarship page indicates whether additional documents, essays, or references are required. Review these details carefully before selecting scholarships to apply for. - Key takeaway: Search results show all scholarships you qualify for. - Key takeaway: Each scholarship has its own description and listed requirements. - Key takeaway: Check for extra materials (essays, recommendations) on individual scholarship pages. - Key takeaway: You may apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible to receive. Application Process The application flow consists of completing eligibility questions, selecting scholarships, creating or logging into an account, and finishing each application form. Begin by clicking “Begin Search” and answering all matching questions; then click “Search” to see eligible scholarships. Select scholarships to add them to your applications, click “Save to My Applications,” and then sign in or create an account. Complete the full application(s), upload required documents, and submit each scholarship by clicking the “SUBMIT” button at the end of that scholarship’s application—only submitted applications will be considered. - Key takeaway: Start with “Begin Search” and answer all eligibility questions. - Key takeaway: Click “Save to My Applications” to add selected scholarships to your account. - Key takeaway: Create or log in to an account to proceed. - Key takeaway: Each scholarship must be submitted individually to be considered. Applying for Multiple Scholarships Applying to multiple awards is streamlined but requires repeating certain steps for each scholarship you select. After selecting additional scholarships from your eligibility list, open each one, complete any scholarship‑specific questions or uploads, then click “SUBMIT” for that scholarship. To edit an in‑progress application, use “Edit Application” and navigate to the indicated section (e.g., Section #7) to continue. Information and uploaded files are auto‑copied to other applications, reducing duplicate effort. - Key takeaway: Add multiple scholarships from the eligibility list, then complete each individually. - Key takeaway: Use “Edit Application” to resume incomplete work (see the indicated section number). - Key takeaway: Documents and data entered often copy across your selected scholarship applications. - Key takeaway: Submit each scholarship separately for consideration. Other Considerations There are operational and eligibility constraints to be aware of before applying. Scholarships are only awarded to accredited schools within the United States, and some awards require additional materials listed on the final page of an individual scholarship application. For best performance, use Firefox, Safari, or Chrome—Internet Explorer is not recommended and may cause issues. Carefully read the criteria for each scholarship to ensure you meet any specific requirements. - Key takeaway: Awards apply only to accredited U.S. schools. - Key takeaway: Some scholarships require extra documentation—check the final application page. - Key takeaway: Use Firefox, Safari, or Chrome for best compatibility. - Key takeaway: Read each scholarship’s criteria thoroughly before applying. How to Proceed and Troubleshoot Before starting, sign out of SmarterSelect if you are currently logged in, then click “Begin Search” to generate your list of eligible scholarships. After saving scholarships to your applications, sign in and verify the applications appear under your account; if they do not, sign out and repeat the search process. You can save progress on any application and resume later; however, only fully submitted applications will be reviewed. If you encounter persistent technical problems, try a different supported browser or clear your cache. - Key takeaway: Sign out before beginning the search to ensure applications save correctly. - Key takeaway: Save progress and resume later if needed; only submitted applications count. - Key takeaway: If applications don’t appear, repeat the search while signed out. - Key takeaway: Try a different browser or clear cache for technical issues. Contact and Further Information For additional questions or clarification, review the Foundation’s FAQ page or contact the scholarships team directly. The scholarships email is scholarships@philafound.org for inquiries about eligibility, application issues, or required materials. Use these resources if you need help navigating the portal or confirming application status. - Key takeaway: Check the FAQ page for common questions and guidance. - Key takeaway: Email scholarships@philafound.org for direct support. - Key takeaway: Use the contact resources for eligibility, technical, or documentation questions.