House+Scholarship


 * Speaker Dennis M. O’Brien: Speaker O'Brien announces 2008-09 House Scholarship applications available.**

HARRISBURG -- Speaker of the House Dennis M. O'Brien today announced that applications for the 2008-09 House Scholarships are available online and by mail.

Applicants are required to write essays based on the following statement: "The year 2009 marks the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, on February 12, 1809. This great 16th president of the United States led the nation with both courage and compassion and delivered his transformational speech in Gettysburg on November 19, 1863. Discuss how this address was one of the most significant articulations of the purpose and promise of the American people."

Each scholarship grant, which can be renewed for each of the student's four years of college, for a total of about $10,000, consists of the value of one semester of tuition at a State System of Higher Education school, which was $2,500 in 2007-08. The scholarships can be used to attend any public or private Pennsylvania postsecondary "eligible educational institution" as defined by Sec. 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. Next year's scholarship amount will depend on the cost of a semester by SSHE to be announced this summer.

Students may also be eligible to receive matching funds from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency's PATH Program. The recipients' names are automatically submitted to PHEAA and matching awards are granted based on the students' remaining financial need. In years past, this program matched the House Scholarships in the amount of $10,200 on average. Additional tuition help also may be available from the SAGE Program if the students attend any of the 42 SAGE (Savings and Growth for Education) affiliated schools in Pennsylvania.

Each applicant will be scored and reviewed based on their personal essay, demonstration of leadership qualities and commitment to community, academic achievement and extra-curricular activities. In addition, students must have a minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average and plan to attend a Pennsylvania college, university, or professional training school full-time. In the past, almost every student applicant was at the top of his or her graduating class.

The scholarship foundation and selection process is independently administered by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (formerly The Greater Harrisburg Foundation), a non-profit organization designed to stimulate philanthropy and enhance the quality of life in the community through accumulating, managing and disbursing financial assets and by serving as a catalyst and neutral convener to meet a wide range of community needs.

Conceived in 2003, the House Scholarship Program uses no taxpayer funds, but rather, is personally funded by former and current House members as well as by funds raised at events during the year.

The House Scholarship Program currently has a balance of more than $600,000 invested in the Pennsylvania Tuition Account Program at the state Treasury Department. By an actuary's estimate, this endowment ensures that the program, with at least two new scholarships awarded annually, will continue into perpetuity.

Criteria and other background information can be found online at [|www.pahousescholarship.com] or [|www.tfec.org] or for more information contact: Jeanne H. Schmedlen, (717) 705-1894

This information provided by Quibila Divine, at qadivine@phila.k12.pa.us