Grants from The Ellis Trust are awarded to girls entering grades 9-12 attending Philadelphia-area schools. Girls who attend parochial or independent schools are eligible for Ellis Tuition Assistance Grants. Girls who attend public or charter schools are eligible for Ellis Enrichment Grants. Students must reapply each year to renew their eligibility.
For more detailed information about eligibility, check out our FAQ! (Frequently Asked Questions)
Student Requirements
The eligibility requirements for high school girls entering grades 9-12 are the same for Tuition Assistance Grants (independent & parochial schools) and Enrichment Grants (public & charter schools.)
Grants from the Ellis Trust are awarded to girls who meet the following criteria:
- Identify as female.
- Live in Philadelphia.
- Live in a household where there is a single parent or in a household where one or both parents have a documented disability.
- Meet the family income eligibility requirements for reduced-priced lunch under the National School Lunch Program (see Income Requirements below.)
- Have grades of “C” or better.
- Are making academic progress toward a timely graduation.
- Can prove their dependency status (name appears on their family’s tax return or Department of Human Services documentation.)
- Are in a family that does not own property other than their primary home.
Income Requirements
Families of girls need to meet the income eligibility requirements for reduced-priced lunch under the National School Lunch Program.
Gross family income (income before taxes) must not exceed the amounts listed to the right. Gross family income includes wages, salaries, Department of Human Services payments (i.e. SNAP, TANF, SSI, etc., disability payments, worker’s compensation payments, Social Security payments, child support payments, etc.) earned or received by the student and other family members living in the household, as well as any contributions from family members not living with the student.
| FAMILY MEMBERS | GROSS FAMILY INCOME |
|---|---|
| 2 | $37,814 |
| 3 | $47,767 |
| 4 | $57,720 |
| 5 | $67,673 |
| 6 | $77,626 |
| 7 | $87,579 |
| 8 | $97,532 |
Add $9,953 for each additional person in a family with more than eight members.
Income Eligibility Guidelines 7/1/2024 to 6/30/2025
When Can I Apply?
- The Tuition Assistance Grant application timeline for Parochial and Independent high school students application is from January 1st to March 15th prior to the August/September start of the academic year.
- Note: Rising freshmen planning to attend a parochial or independent high school should apply in January of their 8th grade year.
- The online Enrichment Grant application for Public and Charter high school students is accepted on a rolling basis and can be completed at any time throughout the year.
- Students must submit their annual application and be accepted as Ellis Scholars before applying for requesting specific funding for an Ellis Enrichment Grant for a given academic year. Once accepted, students can fill out the Enrichment Grant Request form at any time to receive funding for enrichment programs with an approved Ellis program provider.
- Note: Rising freshmen planning to attend a public or charter high school can apply starting in April of their 8th grade year to secure funding for summer activities.
Apply Today
The online application is accessible via smartphone, tablet or computer. If you don’t have access to these devices, you can make an appointment to complete your application at the Ellis Trust office at 123 S Broad Street 8th floor (on the corner of Broad and Sansom.) Contact us to schedule an appointment.
Teachers, Counselors & Community-Based Organizations
If you are a teacher, a high school guidance counselor or work with an organization that serves young women, we need your help. Your daily work with Philadelphia-area girls puts you in a unique position to reach students who may be eligible for an Ellis Trust grant. If you know of any young women who meet our eligibility requirements, please encourage them to apply. Our aim is to provide as many girls as possible with the resources and opportunities that will prepare them for success in their college and career endeavors.
More Questions?
Check out our FAQ section with answers to frequently asked questions about eligibility and the application process.
Documentation Requirements
To complete the Ellis online application, the student applicant will need to submit a personal statement and upload the following documents:
- A current official report card or official transcript
- Students may upload a scanned copy of their official report card or transcript, or send us a screenshot of their most recent report card. Please make sure the student name and school name are visible on the official report card or transcript. We do not accept Progress Reports.
- Current household income documents
- Examples include federal tax documents, child support statements, public assistance documents (SNAP & TANF) and Social Security benefit statement.
- If any documents include a Social Security Number (SSN) please cross out or remove the SSN, as the Ellis Trust does not use this information.
- At least one document must list the student applicant as a dependent of the custodial parent/guardian.
As you work on your online grant application, the auto-save feature will save your application as a draft, so that you can return to it after you have gathered the required documents for uploading.
Please note that the student email you use to register your Ellis Trust Submittable account is the email address we will use to communicate with you about your grant application. Therefore, if you are a student applicant, please do not use your school-issued email address. Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, or a similar address is preferred. Double check spelling to ensure you receive all Ellis Trust correspondence.