Temple University President Ann Weaver Hart, in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, announced a new scholarship program that will give Philadelphia students access to a world-class higher education at Temple University, the region’s largest public research institution.

Each year starting in fall 2009, Temple will select four talented and motivated Philadelphia high school students with demonstrated financial need to be Temple University Philadelphia Scholars. Each Temple University Philadelphia Scholar will receive a full-tuition scholarship to Temple. (For 2007-08, full-time undergraduate tuition at Temple for Pennsylvania residents is $10,252.)

“We look forward to welcoming the first four Temple University Philadelphia Scholars in 2009,” Hart said. “This program is a natural for Temple. We share Mayor Nutter’s vision for increasing the number of Philadelphians with college degrees. Indeed, a commitment to providing access to excellence for the students of the School District of Philadelphia has been a core mission of the university for nearly 125 years.”

To be eligible for the Temple University Philadelphia Scholar program, students must be Philadelphia residents and attend one of the School District’s 66 high schools. Students must be nominated by their high school or by one of the district’s community or faith-based partners. They also must complete a Temple admissions application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

“I applaud Temple’s commitment to providing deserving young Philadelphians with access to a world-class higher education,” said Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “When it comes to educating our children and building a skilled, educated workforce, Temple is one of the region’s powerful engines for positive change.”

As part of Temple’s continuing commitment to its North Philadelphia neighbors, special consideration will be given to students residing or attending high school in the neighborhoods adjacent to Temple’s Main Campus and Health Sciences Center (ZIP codes 19121, 19122, 19123, 19125, 19130, 19132, 19133 and 19140).

“We know that students are motivated to attend school and to work hard when they see a direct pathway from school to college and then on to viable careers,” said School Reform Commission Chairwoman Sandra Dungee Glenn. “On behalf of School District of Philadelphia students and their parents, we thank Temple University for creating this new scholarship opportunity. An exciting college experience at Temple awaits the young women and men who are chosen as scholarship recipients.”

Recipients will be chosen by a committee of representatives from Temple University faculty and administration, who will consider five criteria: high school academic record; standardized test scores; community service and leadership experience; financial need; and proximity of residence to Temple’s campuses in North Philadelphia.

The awards are renewable for a total of four years, contingent upon recipients’ successful academic progress in full-time study at Temple. The program will begin in fall 2009 and continue for 10 years.

The Temple University Philadelphia Scholars program is one of several providing financial support for local students. Temple also awards four-year scholarships starting at $1,000 to about 150 Philadelphia high school graduates based on academic merit and financial need, including Temple University Outstanding Achievement Scholarships, which are available to graduates of all schools throughout the city.

For more information, contact the Office of the Provost at Temple at 215-204-4775 or visit www.temple.edu/provost.