Scholarships

Eligibility–to be eligible for consideration for the Neumann Scholarship, students must:

• Receive eligibility notification directly from elementary school principals. 
• Have attended an Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic elementary school for the entire 7th-grade academic year.
• Currently attend an Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic elementary school.
• Have a National Percentile (NP) Total Score of 90 OR a Cognitive Skills Index (CSI) of 120 or higher in the 7th-grade Terra Nova Test.
• Achieve an academic average of 90.0 in the final marking period of 7th grade.
• Take the Archdiocesan high school entrance exam.
• Complete the Archdiocese of Philadelphia online process to submit testing scores and confirm intention to attend an Archdiocese of Philadelphia high school.

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Selection & Award–to be selected for the Neumann Scholarship, students must:

• Meet all eligibility requirements.
• Take the Archdiocese of Philadelphia high school entrance exam.
• Be invited by the Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to electronically submit scores.
• Respond to electronic notification of eligibility and complete an electronic intent form to indicate if they wish to submit scores for consideration for the Neumann Scholarship.

Students should only opt to submit their score if they plan to attend an Archdiocesan high school. Approximately 50 Neumann Scholarships are awarded each year. The distribution of scholarships is determined by the number of eligible students who opt to submit their scores for consideration in each county and the highest scores in each county and overall. Click here to view the 2025 Neumann Scholarship announcement video.

All scholarships are guaranteed for four years and renewed annually, provided Neumann Scholars meet the following benchmarks:

• Final general average of 90.0 or above.
• No final grades below 80% in any individual courses.
• Final conduct average of 85.0 or above.
• No more than 18 absences.
• Completion of an annual year-end scholar survey.

Advising Services–all scholarship recipients receive supplemental college and career advising services from a Connelly-funded Scholarship Advisor.

• Advising services assist students with finding their best-fit post-secondary plans.
• Scholarship advisors supplement college and career school supports but do not replace school counseling services. Academic tutoring and wellness services are not provided.
• Scholarship advisors meet with students three to five times a year and are available by email.
• Advising sessions include both individual and group meetings.
• Scholars can opt out of advising services with parental permission.

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Summer Programs–the Connelly Foundation provides summer program opportunities in junior to senior year summer for all scholars:

• Since 1998, the Connelly Foundation has provided scholarships for students to attend summer pre-colleges programs at colleges and universities throughout the country.
• Scholars are encouraged to explore their academic interests between their junior and senior years.
• Students experience life on a college campus, deepen specific academic interests, gain a competitive edge on college applications, and meet people from across the country and beyond.
• Past scholars have attended programs at the University of Notre Dame, Boston College, Georgetown University, and Temple University.
• Details are provided to junior-year scholars.

For a review of summer program possibilities - 2025 Summer Scholars Program Pamphlet

To apply in your junior year for a summer program - 2025 Summer Scholars Intent to Apply Form

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Eligibility–to be eligible for consideration for the Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Award, students must:

• Have attended an Archdiocese of Philadelphia elementary school for their entire 7th grade year.
• Be chosen by parish selection committee. The Connelly Foundation does not accept applications.
• Be an 8th grade student at participating Catholic elementary school, including:
  • All parish elementary schools, including parish/regional schools, in the Philadelphia-North and Philadelphia-South Vicariates.
  • Independent Mission Schools.
  • The following suburban schools: St. Albert the Great, Huntingdon Valley; BVM, Darby; St. Charles Borromeo, Bensalem; Drexel Neumann Academy, Chester; St. Laurence, Highland Park; and Presentation BVM, Cheltenham.

Selection & Award–to be selected for the Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Award, students must:

• Meet all eligibility requirements.
• Demonstrate the morals and values of a good Catholic education.
• Have a strong desire to attend a Philadelphia Archdiocesan high school, Mercy Career & Technical High School, or Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School.
• Show academic potential to meet the annual review policy terms and conditions.
• Have a record of community service, school activities, school spirit, and moral character.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Complete the selection process put in place by their school’s parish committee.

All scholarships are guaranteed for four years and renewed annually, provided Josephine C. Connelly Scholars meet the following benchmarks:

• Final general average of 80.0 or above.
• No final grades below 70.0 in any individual courses.
• A final conduct average of 85.0 or above.
• No more than 18 absences.
• Completion of an annual year-end scholar survey.

Advising Services–all scholarship recipients receive supplemental college and career advising services from a Connelly-funded Scholarship Advisor.

• Advising services assist students with finding their best-fit post-secondary plans.
• Scholarship advisors supplement college and career school supports but do not replace school counseling services. Academic tutoring and wellness services are not provided.
• Scholarship advisors meet with students three to five times a year and are available by email.
• Advising sessions include both individual and group meetings.
• Scholars can opt out of advising services with parental permission.

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Summer Programs–the Connelly Foundation provides summer pre-college programs:

• Since 1998, the Connelly Foundation has provided scholarships for students to attend summer pre-colleges programs at colleges and universities throughout the country.
• Scholars are encouraged to explore their academic interests between their junior and senior years.
• Students experience life on a college campus, deepen specific academic interests, gain a competitive edge on college applications, and meet people from across the country and beyond.
• Past scholars have attended programs at the University of Notre Dame, Boston College, Georgetown University, and Temple University.
• Details are provided to junior-year scholars.

For a review of summer program possibilities - 2025 Summer Scholars Program Pamphlet

To apply in your junior year for a summer program - 2025 Summer Scholars Intent to Apply Form