Scholarships

Aloysius F. Barr Scholarship

“The Aloysius F. Barr scholarship” was created by his son, Eugene Barr in 2020 to honor his fathers legacy. Aloysius had an accomplished career in the Philadelphia Fire Department, and stressed to his sons the importance of excelling in school. This scholarship was created to help students who are in good academic standing with demonstrated need and whose parent is a Philadelphia Firefighter.

Criteria:

• A student who is currently in good academic standing and in need of financial assistance to attend Roman.

• First priority for the annual fund awards is to a student(s) whose parent is a Philadelphia FireFighter.

•  Second priority would be a student(s) whose parent is a Philadelphia Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Police Officer.

The Scholars and the scholarship amount will be selected by the Roman Catholic High School.

Apply Here

Barry Howard Art and Music Scholarship

The Barry Howard Art and Music Scholarship is awarded annually to the recipients over four years. The recipients must carry at least a 3.0 (equivalent of an 85 or better) average and be involved in a minimum of one extra-curricular activity. Recipients will be determined by this application and their financial need based on their FACTS Grant and Aid application. 

Two recipients will be considered for an art scholarship and will receive $1,500 dollars annually. Another two recipients will be considered for a music scholarship and will receive $1,500 annually as well.  Each applicant will be asked to upload a file for their consideration. 

MUSIC AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

1) Flute, Clarinet, Saxophones, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone Horn, Tuba, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Bass Guitar & Piano

- TWO (2) major and/or minor scales
- 1-2 octaves, played in quarter notes
- Minimum tempo - 80 bpm
- Solo piece or etude of the student’s choosing, minimum 16 measures

2) Mallet Percussion
- TWO (2) major and/or minor scales
- 2 octaves, played in quarter notes
- Minimum tempo - 80 bpm
- Solo piece or etude of the student’s choosing, minimum 16 measures

3) Snare Drum/Unpitched Percussion
- FIVE (5) drum rudiments
- Single-stroke roll, double-stroke roll, paradiddle, flam, five-stroke roll
- Snare drum solo/etude
- Minimum 32 measures

ART REQUIREMENTS:
1) Each applicant must submit a portfolio containing a minimum of three art pieces of the student's choice. 

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS: 

• Student must be an active member of his school's music or art department. 
• Student must maintain at least an 85 average utilizing the final grades of the current school year.
• A final conduct average of 85 or above during the first trimester or equivalent of the 8th grade.
• Minimal absences and lateness.
• Extracurricular participation and community service participation will be considered favorably to a candidate’s selection.

Apply Here

David Kedra '06 Memorial Scholarship

David Kedra ‘06 was a PA State Trooper and was tragically killed on September 30, 2014 when a firing exercise went wrong. After his death, David’s in-laws and immediate family came together to establish this memorial scholarship. The following criteria needs to be met to be considered for scholarship:

• Every year five students can be awarded this scholarship.

• The total amount of scholarship per year is $5,000 and is distributed equally.

• Recipients must have parent(s) who are police officers, EMT’s, and first responders.

The Scholars will be selected by Roman Catholic High School. 

Apply Here

Officer Gary Skerski Memorial Scholarship

On May 8, 2006 Officer Gary Skerski was shot and killed while responding to an armed robbery call. At this time his son Robert was a freshman at Roman. Robert graduated in 2010 and a scholarship was established in his fathers’ honor to help Roman students who do not have a father. The following criteria must be met to be considered:

• This scholarship is intended for students with financial need who have lost their father.
• Students from the Port Richmond/Bridesburg area are preferred but not required.
• The award is for one year and is typically awarded to 1-3 students.

The Scholars and the scholarship amount will be selected by the Roman Catholic High School.

Apply Here

Rita Varga Memorial Scholarship

Michael Varga ‘73 had a successful career as both a diplomat and author. Mr. Varga has featured in editions in "The Empire” in 2014 and 2015. He very graciously gifted $25,000 dollars to Roman catholic in 2015. This gift was to honor his mother's legacy which created “The Rita Varga Memorial Scholarship.”

The following criteria must be met to be accepted for this scholarship:

• This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a senior who displays financial need and is actively involved in the Yearbook, Newspaper, and or Literary Magazine. 

The Scholar and the scholarship amount will be selected by the Roman Catholic High School.

Apply Here

The Joseph O'Dea '37 Memorial Scholarship

In 2021, Joseph O’Dea Jr. established “The Joseph O’Dea  ‘37 Memorial Scholarship Fund” to honor his late father. The fund was established to issue grants to students who show great personal integrity like Mr. O’Dea ‘37 exemplified throughout his entire life. The following criteria must be met in order to be considered for this scholarship:

• This gift is intended to provide a grant for a student(s) at Roman Catholic High School that are in good academic standing, demonstrate financial need, and display great personal integrity.   

The Scholars and the scholarship amount will be selected by the Roman Catholic 

Apply Here

The Edward Hoban '71 Memorial Scholarship Fund

In 2021, Patricia Hoban created “The Edward Hoban ‘71 Memorial Scholarship Fund” to provide relief for Roman students that have exhibited resilience and perseverance in facing exceptional challenges. This was created by Patricia because Ed lost both his Father and Sister during his sophomore year at Roman. Ed attributed the Roman Community as a main factor to why he was able to get through such a difficult time. The following criteria needs to be met to be considered for scholarship:

• This award will be given to an upperclassmen student(s) who have exhibited resilience and perseverance in facing exceptional challenges while attending RCHS. 

The Scholars and the scholarship amount will be selected by the Roman Catholic High School.

Apply Here

The James McGirr Kelly Scholarship

 “The James McGirr Kelly ‘47 Scholarship” was implemented in May 2024. James McGirr Kelly was a prominent judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern district of Pennsylvania. This scholarship is to honor his legacy and is funded through and by the Philadelphia Foundation. The following criteria needs to be met to be considered for scholarship:

• The recipient must be a rising senior that demonstrates financial need and has a strong academic record.

• The recipient will receive a $2,500 dollar scholarship.

The Scholar will be selected by Roman Catholic High School.

Apply Here

Abbot & Fenner Business Consultants Scholarship Program

Describe your educational career and life goals. Explain your plan for achieving these goals. Include your degree/major, why you selected it, and how this degree/major will help you achieve your goals.

Apply Here

Archbishop's Grant

This Archbishop's Grant is for full-time employees of the Archdiocese who work in a parish, school or AOP setting. Grants apply to high school tuition and recipients may only use the grant at one AOP high school.

Apply here

The Colgan Foundation Scholarship

Since 1990, Colgan Foundation has sponsored number of Colgan Scholars at Roman Catholic High School every year to honor Charles P. Colgan, Class of 1945.

Colgan Scholars are selected by school committee. Besides their need for financial assistance, recipients must be:

• Strong Catholic faith
• Be a first generation Roman Catholic High School student
• Extend kindness and support to their piers.

This scholarship is renewed annually. Colgan Scholars must maintain an exceptional academic record and impeccable conduct.

The Scholars and the scholarship amount will be selected by the roman Catholic High School institution.

Apply Here

Corporal James O'Connor Scholarship

On March 13, 2020, Corporal James O’Connor was shot and killed during a SWAT team operation while attempting to serve a murder warrant. Jimmy, as he was known to friends and family, was posthumously promoted to Sergeant. He was 46 years old with 23 years on the Philadelphia Police Department. Jimmy comes from a large, loving family dedicated police family. He is survived by his wife Terri, and they have two children. Their son
Jimmy is also a Philadelphia Police Officer as is his wife, Nicole. Their daughter Kelsey served in the U.S. Air Force at the time of his death. Jimmy is also survived by his parents, Carol and James, he too a retired Philadelphia Police Officer, brother John and granddaughters, Callie & Sadie. Jimmy attended Visitation Grade School and North Catholic High School. This scholarship was created in his honor, to help support continued Catholic Education. A $1000 scholarship will be awarded and applied to January tuition payments. Students must currently be in High School to be eligible.

THIS SCHOLARSHIP IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS WHO ARE CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN OF POLICE OFFICERS

Apply Here

Ethel Mae Hocker Foundation Scholarship

The Purpose of the “Ethel Mae Hocker Foundation Scholarship” is to provide an educational opportunity to deserving students that meet the following criteria:

• All scholarship recipients must hold and maintain a 3.3 gpa or an 86% average.

• Recipients must demonstrate good character and citizenship. 

• A student that has not received demerits or been subjected to serious school disciplinary action.

• Recipients must demonstrate leadership through participation in at least one of the following: school extracurricular activities, volunteer work, athletics, peer mentoring or outside employment. 

• Recipients must have demonstrated financial need pursuant to the Schools financial aid process.

• School should give preference to High School students who received an Ethel Mae Hocker Foundation scholarship as an elementary student assuming the students’ academic qualifications are at least equal to other candidates. The Scholars and the scholarship amount will be selected by the Roman Catholic High School

  The Scholars and the scholarship amount will be selected by the Roman Catholic High School.

Apply Here

Go Forward Education Foundation, Inc.

Supporting Students

Go Forward Education Foundation, Inc. supports students by making scholarships available to those in grades K-12 who desire to attend a better school, especially those students who reside within the boundaries of a low-performing school.  Does your child meet the criteria?

The Application Process

Applying for a scholarship is a simple process.  If your child meets the criteria, the next step is to download and print the scholarship application.  After completing it, mail it with all the necessary documents to:

Go Forward Education Foundation, Inc.

PO Box 1307

Newtown, PA 18940

Questions? Please Call us at:

Phone: 215-860-7800

Fax: 215-860-7870

Howley Scholarship

Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Award

The Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Award is a four-year tuition grant presented to 8^th grade students currently attending Philadelphia parish or regional Catholic elementary schools who best demonstrate the value of a Catholic education by striving to achieve their full academic potential. The four-year grant covers 40% of the student’s tuition. An annual review by the high school president determines renewal of the Connelly Foundation’s yearly commitment to each student. To learn more about this program, please contact your grade school administrator(s).

The St. Anthony Di Padova Society of Southwest Philadelphia has partnered with the Lawrence and Phyllis Rebbecchi Sr. Memorial Scholarship to award scholarships to Catholic school students for the 2025-2026 school year.  

This year they will be awarding five $2500 scholarships to a student attending high schools associated with their Society members. They will also be offering four $5000 scholarships to students attending select local Catholic colleges.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• will be enrolled in high school for the 2025-2026 school year.
• must be a practicing Catholic.
• Provide a report card showing a B or better average.
• Write a 1000-word maximum essay on “How has Catholicism impacted your life.”

Applications, which can be found at https://stanthonysswphila.com/rebbecchi-memorial-fund 

Completed applications and required information must be submitted electronically to rebbecchischolarship@comcast.net

Any questions can be submitted to rebbecchischolarship@comcast.net

Minecraft Scholarship $2,000

How Minecraft can positively influence one’s education and career development. The scholarship is offered by Apex Hosting, a Minecraft server provider dedicated to supporting both new and experienced server administrators.

Apply Here

Monsignor John T. Mitchell Trust Scholarship

The Monsignor John T. Mitchell Memorial Scholarship Fund supports Catholic African American students with exceptional academic ability who are in need of financial assistance. Scholarship(s) are awarded annually based upon the determination of the selection committee.

For this scholarship, students must be:

• Catholic and African American
• in good academic standing with at least a cumulative B average at the time of the scholarship award
• eligible for financial assistance as determined by a completed FACTS Grant and Aid application (online)
• committed to serving his/her community
• interested in or currently attending an AOPS high school

We are Alumni of Northeast Catholic High School (Philadelphia, PA).  Our purpose is to bring together as many fellow Falcons through different events throughout the year. Our goal is to raise money to assist families with the ever increasing cost of a Catholic education & for other select charities in the Philadelphia area. Our Alma Mater may be closed, but the Falcon spirit shall never die. The Norphans is an Incorporated 501(c3) Non-Profit since 2014.

Since our inception, the Norphans organization has awarded over a quarter million dollars to children and grandchildren of North Catholic graduates who attend Catholic High Schools in SE Pennsylvania and South Jersey.

THESE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE ONLY FOR CURRENT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ARE CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN AND/OR GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN OF NORTH CATHOLIC GRADS, AND ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED AT ONE OF THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE PHILADELPHIA AND SOUTH JERSEY AREA.

https://www.norphans.org/norphansapp

St. Thomas More Alumni Scholarship

The St. Thomas More Alumni Scholarship provides tuition assistance to students who are related to or recommended by a St. Thomas More alumnus. To be considered for this award, students must be active in school, sports, or church activities, have a strong academic record, and participate in community service.

Unigo 10k Scholarship

Submit an online written response to the question:

"Would you rather be smart, funny or rich? Why?" (250 words or less)

Apply Here

Voice of Democracy Scholarship

Open to all High School Students

To enter, you must record an original three - to five - minute audio essay on the following topic: "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?"

Apply Here