The Foundation offers:

• four-year grants at 33% of tuition
• choice of 20 Archdiocesan high schools plus Mercy Vocational High School
• personal academic counselor to monitor goals and track successes

All parish elementary schools in the county of Philadelphia have the opportunity to select students to receive the Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Awards. Each year approximately 130 students earn this distinct recognition.

To be eligible, students must:

• Have attended a parish elementary school in 6th and 7th grades
• Currently attend 8th grade in a parish elementary school in the City of Philadelphia

Supportive Services

Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Awards recipients receive a full range of supportive services. Experienced counselors from the Connelly Foundation meet periodically and communicate via e-mail with students to help monitor and encourage their progress in the following areas: 

• Academic performance                                           
• High school course selection
• College scholarship research
• College selection and application process

In January, students in 8th grade receive a letter from the school principal that informs students and parents about the process and deadline for submission of applications. Recipients are notified in April.

Parish Committee Application and Selection Process

Parish committees design an application process and determine criteria for consideration including but not limited to:

• Conformity to elementary school standards and expectations
• Level of involvement of support demonstrated by the student and family in school and parish activities
• Desire to attend an Archdiocesan high school or Mercy Vocational High School
• Capacity to succeed in high school academically