PHILADELPHIA, PA — Hundreds of Philadelphia families learned this week that their children will receive critical tuition support after Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia awarded K-8 scholarships for the 2026–2027 school year, expanding access to private and parochial education across the city.
CSFP, Pennsylvania’s largest and most diverse K-8 scholarship program, held its annual Lottery Day on Tuesday at URBN’s headquarters in South Philadelphia, where staff members, volunteers, parent ambassadors, and sponsors personally notified families selected through the organization’s random lottery process.
The need-based scholarships, ranging from $1,250 to $3,350, can be used at more than 150 private and parochial schools throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. All recipients are eligible to receive continued support through the completion of eighth grade.
Keisha Jordan, president and chief executive officer of Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia, said the program is designed to give families meaningful educational choices at a time when financial pressures continue to mount.
Each year, thousands of families apply for the scholarships, far exceeding available funding. CSFP said the average award has increased by more than $500 since the launch of its Breaking Barriers Campaign in 2022, reflecting growing demand for tuition assistance.
The Lottery Day event was hosted by URBN and supported by sponsors including DJS Associates, Janney Montgomery Scott, AmeriHealth Caritas, the Commonwealth Foundation, MarchForward, and Wawa.
Bryan Carter, president and chief executive officer of Gesu School, said early access to strong educational foundations is critical for long-term student success. Gesu School has partnered with CSFP since the organization’s founding.
CSFP is approaching a milestone year. In 2026, the organization will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Since its founding in 2001, CSFP has awarded more than $150 million in scholarships to over 30,000 students.
For the 2025–2026 school year, the organization expects total scholarship payments to exceed $17 million, providing direct tuition assistance to Philadelphia families seeking alternative educational options for their children.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.