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Students at a Paying for College Bus Tour stop, Reading PA

City expands eligibility for 'Last Dollar Scholarships' to all graduating seniors in Philadelphia

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 19, 2004—Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.) and Mayor John F. Street announced today the eligibility for the CORE scholarship program has been expanded to include graduating seniors from Philadelphia's private and parochial schools, along with the city's public school graduates, and that applications are now available.

Students who graduated from private and parochial schools in the spring must submit their applications by August 15. The application period for public school graduates closed on June 1.

"With the city budget process now concluded, and thanks to the ongoing leadership of Congressman Fattah, CEO Paul Vallas, Councilman Juan Ramos and Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown working with my Administration, we are able to offer this scholarship program to all Philadelphia graduating seniors," said Mayor Street. "CORE Philly presents young people with a huge opportunity to improve their lives. The more broadly its benefits are available, the better educated the workforce of our city will be and the stronger Philadelphia's prospects for growth and development will be."

The CORE Program, first announced on September 30, 2003 by Mayor Street, Congressman Chaka Fattah and Philadelphia School District Chief Executive Officer Paul Vallas, was initially open to graduating seniors of Philadelphia's public schools, including charter schools. CORE stands for College Opportunity Resources for Education.

"Many more Philadelphia students will benefit from the extraordinary and unique partnership of the Mayor, Paul Vallas and myself as it has lead to the expansion of this great program. Our successful work with members of the City Council has resolved to expand this excellent opportunity to include all Philadelphia students," said Congressman Chaka Fattah. "As the only city in the nation to offer such a program, Philadelphia is making a special commitment to its young people and to our state institutions of higher education. Its benefits cannot be overstated in terms of its importance to our neighborhoods, the city's economy and the life chances of Philadelphia's youth."

Graduates should link to www.COREPhilly.org for information and applications. Applications also will be available at all branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia and in City Council Members' Offices. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is mailing applications to their class of 2004 graduating seniors.

The CORE program will be funded initially with contributions of up to $4 million from the City of Philadelphia for four years (for a total of $16 million), and up to $6 million from the School District of Philadelphia for four years (for a total of $24 million). The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, is underwriting all administrative costs associated with operating the CORE program.

Congressman Fattah will soon be announcing a campaign to broaden CORE's partnership that will include the participation of citizens, corporations and private foundations to provide a long—term endowment for this historic program.

"This program will help close the gap between what it costs to go to college, and what families can actually pay," said Councilman Ramos, who led the effort to expand access. "I am delighted that we are able to extend this opportunity to non- public school kids and I encourage all eligible students to apply for this great program."

The maximum scholarship award will be $3,000 and will be available for freshman year only. The amount of scholarship to be provided will be determined after taking into account all other financial and scholarship aid awarded (i.e. "last dollar") and calculating the student's remaining need.

Scholarships checks will be disbursed to participating colleges in the fall, after all financial aid and enrollment are verified.

"We are grateful to Councilman Juan Ramos, the members of City Council, Congressman Chaka Fattah and the Street Administration for supporting this program and for recognizing the needs of the students in the Archdiocesan high schools," said Stephen Pawlowski, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools.

Applicants for the CORE Philadelphia "Last Dollar" Scholarship must be:

a resident of the City of Philadelphia, along with at least one parent or legal guardian.
a graduating high school senior
pursuing a degree at Community College of Philadelphia, a Pennsylvania public college or university in the State System of Higher Education (Bloomsburg, California University of PA, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester), or a state-related institution (Lincoln, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Temple).

Students and families interested in receiving more information about the CORE Philly program should visit the website at http://www.corephilly.org or email the CORE Philly office at scholarship(At)corephilly.org or call 215/246-3513. http://www.usnewswire.com

CONTACT: Debra C. Anderson of the Office of U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, 202/225-4001 or 202/225-5236; Web: http://www.house.gov/fattah

The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, achieves its mission—to increase access to a post–secondary education for America's students—by supporting programs and initiatives that help open doors to higher education, prepare families for their investment, and bridge the gap when no one else can. For more information visit www.salliemaefund.org.