The PACAC Scholarships are for high school seniors graduating from PACAC member high schools. This scholarship is intended to support a student's goal of continuing their education.

Multiple scholarships were awarded in May 2023.  The top recipient received the $1,500 Scholarship in memory of one of our PACAC founding fathers, Benjamin James.  The other three recipients received a $1,000 Scholarship.  These are one-time, nonrenewable scholarships.

Selection Criteria:

  • Academic performance in a college prep curriculum, with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Financial need
  • Commitment to furthering their post-secondary education
  • PACAC Membership; at least one member of the student's secondary school counseling office, or community-based organization, must be a current PACAC member. Students who work with an Independent Educational Consultant who holds current PACAC membership may also apply.

Apply here!
The deadline to apply has been extended from February 1st to February 9th at 11:59 PM EST

****We are aware that there have been some issues with the application, and we truly apologize.  The Going Merry Support team is working on it.  We hope to have it fixed as soon as possible.  To reach out to Going Merry directly, please email [email protected].**** 

*Please note that this is a completion deadline. All supporting materials (transcript and letter of recommendation) will need to be uploaded to the applicant's Going Merry profile before the student is able to submit their application, and the application must be submitted by the deadline noted above.

The scholarship application, which is hosted by the scholarship site Going Merry, will include:

  • One short answer question (200 words maximum) and one essay (650 words maximum)
  • Unofficial transcript (uploaded to the site)
  • Letter of Recommendation from School Counselor or Community-Based Organization Counselor
  • *Please note that an official high school transcript will be required by those selected to receive a scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Does my school need PACAC Institutional Membership?  Institutional Membership is great, but only individual Membership is needed.  At least one member of the secondary school counseling office, or community-based organization, must be a current PACAC member.  Independent Educational Consultants who hold PACAC membership may also submit recommendations and in support of their students
  • May more than one student from a high school apply?  Yes.  There is no limit to how many students from one school may apply.
  • Must students pay to apply?  No.  Students should never need to pay to apply for a scholarship.
  • Are students outside of Pennsylvania permitted to apply?  Because the mission of our organization is to support students of our state, preference will be given to students who reside in Pennsylvania.
  • Are standardized test scores required for consideration?  No, standardized test scores are not required to be considered for the PACAC Scholarship.  And, as of fall 2020, the PACAC Scholarship consideration process will be test-blind, meaning that even if a student has test scores, they will not be reviewed or included in the assessment of a student's application.  The application form will not include a space to list test scores, and should scores be listed on a student's transcript, they will not be considered by the reading committee.   
  • How do I know if my counselor, independent education consultant or community-based org is a PACAC member?  Email [email protected]
  • How can my counselor join PACAC?  Click here.  If funding is an issue, please find our Counselor Assistance Program (CAP Grants).
  • Must counselors create an account in the Going Merry platform?  Students will request their letter of recommendation by entering their recommender's email in the scholarship application portal.  The recommender will receive a link from Going Merry and will be able to upload their letter (no need for a Going Merry account).
  • How can I advertise this wonderful opportunity?  PACAC Flyer & PACAC Poster
  • Whom do I contact if I have questions? Loren Gordon or Jared Epler at [email protected]


2016 Scholarship Recipients
- Watch Video!
Acklynn Byamugisha – Harrisburg Academy; Wormleysburg, PA
Alyssa Famalette – MMI Preparatory School; Freeland, PA
Ericka Gibson – Serra Catholic High School; McKeesport, PA
Rebekah Thompson – Bethel Park Senior HS; Bethel Park, PA  (Benjamin James Memorial Scholarship)

2017 Scholarship Recipients - Watch Video!
Misael Vera – Chambersburg Area Senior High School; Chambersburg, PA
Christopher McDonnell – St. Joseph’s Preparatory School; Philadelphia, PA
Michelle Chau – Wyomissing Area High School; Reading, PA
Briana Barnum – Plymouth Whitemarsh High School; Plymouth Meeting, PA
Natalia Hajlasz – Allderdice High School; Pittsburgh, PA
Anthony DiAndrea - La Salle College High School; Glenside, PA  (Benjamin James Memorial Scholarship)

2018 Scholarship Recipients - Watch Video!
Anthony Talarigo – Bald Eagle Area High School; Bellefonte, PA
Victoria Lopez – Phoenixville Area High School; Phoenixville, PA
Yacina Williams – Cristo Rey; Philadelphia, PA
Shalya Powell – East Stroudsburg HS South; East Stroudsburg, PA (Benjamin James Memorial Scholarship)

2019 Scholarship Recipients
Keith Graves – KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy; Philadelphia, PA
Miguel Hernandez – Reading Area High School; Reading, PA
Katie Nguyen – Forest City Regional High School; Forest City, PA
Danielle Garrity – Plymouth Whitemarsh HS; Plymouth Meeting, PA (Benjamin James Memorial Scholarship)

2020 Scholarship Recipients
Jada David – Academy of Notre Dame de Namur; Villanova, PA
Katelin Jorge – Cheltenham High School; Wyncote, PA
Nia Smith – Oakland Catholic High School; Pittsburgh, PA (Benjamin James Memorial Scholarship)

2021 Scholarship Recipients
Stella Kibinda - York Country Day School; York PA (Benjamin James Memorial Scholarship)
Naomi Parson - Pottstown Senior High School; Pottstown, PA
Matthew Timofeev - Central Bucks High School South; Chalfont, PA
Justin Zheng - Valley High School; New Kensington, PA

2022 Scholarship Recipients
Connor Joyce - Harrisburg Academy; Wormleysburg, PA (Ben James Memorial Scholarship)
Genesis Lukasiewicz - South Williamsport Area Jr/Sr High School; Williamsport, PA
Charli Missouri - Oakland Catholic High School; Pittsburgh, PA
Maosheng Wu - Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School; Plymouth Meeting, PA 

2023 Scholarship Recipients
Jiho Lee - Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School; West Chester, PA (Ben James Memorial Scholarship)
Arushi Palta - Mahanoy Area Jr/Sr High School; Mahanoy City, PA
Karamoko Sow - Upper Merion High School;  King of Prussia, PA
Molly Wright - Ft. Leboeuf Sr High School; Waterford, PA

 

Updated: 12/2/2023