How to Apply
When to 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.
- 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.
Please review the timeline below; students attending tuition-based high schools should review the dates in purple text and students attending public or charter high schools should review the dates in pink text.
How To Apply
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.
Documentation Requirements
To complete the Ellis online application, the student applicant will need to submit a personal statement and upload the following documents. Please refer to our Ellis Trust List of Acceptable Documents list for screenshots and examples of what we can accept.
- A current official report card or official transcript
- Students may upload a scanned copy of their most recent 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 (all documents must be dated within the last 12 months – please black out social security numbers)
- IRS Form 1040
- SNAP (Food Stamps) Benefits Letter
- Cash Assistance (TANF – Temporary Aid for Needy Families), LiHeap/LiWop
- Unemployment Income (Notice of Financial Determination Letter, Notice of Financial Determination Letter-Tier 2, or UC 1099G)
- Social Security Income (including SSI, SSDI, Social Security Retirement, Social Security for Children)
- Depending on the information provided in the application, we may also request:
- Proof of Divorce/Separation if the students’ parents are married but living separately
- Child Support if receiving
- PA Child Support Program – Case Level Details Printout
- PA Child Support Program – Case Financial Summary
- Financial Obligation Entry from PACSES website
- Notarized Statement regarding child support
- Commonwealth of PA Dept. of Public Welfare Support Notice
- Proof of Foster Care Placement if student is in foster care
- Letter from social worker on agency letterhead
- Adoption Subsidy if student is adopted
- Letter from adoption agency/social service agency
- Health Insurance (if the student is not listed as a dependent on the financial documents provided)
- CHIP Medical Insurance
- Private Medical Insurance