Application Information
Applicant Criteria
Single Mother: Applicants must be a single mother.
Age: Under 35 years old. Applicants who are of age 35 at the time of application are welcome to apply.
Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S., Permanent Resident, and DACA.
Primary caregiver: The applicant must be the primary caregiver to at least one child (0 years- 17 years old/Grade 12)while in the scholarship program. This includes natural born, legally adopted children or children for whom legal guardianship has been granted.
The child's primary residence must be the applicant's home.
Enrolment: Applicants must be accepted into or enrolled full time or part time, for the current academic year in a not-for-profit, accredited institution within Pennsylvania.
College Navigator is a great look-up resource to find out if your institution meets that criteria: nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator
Additionally, the applicant must be pursuing a degree/credential at an institution that does not discriminate on the basis of sex/gender, lgbtq+ status/identity, race/ethnicity, religion, disability, immigration status.
Applicants who have already completed a 4 year degree are not eligible.
Academic Program: Recipients must have declared a major for a 2 year associates with the intent to complete a 4 year degree, or have declared a major for a 4 year degree program.
Academic Performance: Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic performance and remain in good academic standing as defined by the institution's policies.
Demonstrate Financial Needs and Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must be low income, as defined by an income limit of 2.5x the poverty level. HHS Poverty Guidelines for 2024
Letter of Recommendation: One letter of recommendation is required and must:
Be sent directly to admin@piersonrangereducationalfoundation.com by the person providing the recommendation.
Speak to the applicant's work ethic, academic capabilities, or character.
Be completed by a professor/teacher, school counselor, employer, or other person in a supervisory-based capacity.
Be a maximum of 1 page, single-spaced, in PDF format, and signed.
Application Tips
We hope that the following tips will assist you in completing your application. Please make sure you have all of the required documentation prior to opening your application, as all documents are submitted at once. If after reading all of the information below and speaking to appropriate supports e.g. professors, keys program, financial aid, registrars office, you still have question, please send us an email.
You will need to have ready:
Applicant Information and Household Information: Including your address, email, phone, and information about your children (ages, primary residence).
A Professional Resume: We encourage you to include work experience, volunteer experience and other academic or work related experiences. Upload your PDF-formatted resume into the application.
A resume should include your name, basic contact information
College Choice: Provide the name and location of the college you are (or have been accepted to) going to attend in the upcoming academic year along with your major and anticipated graduation date.
Transcript Request: You will need to upload your current and past transcripts from high school and any colleges attended. You may submit unofficial transcripts in PDF format.
Download the pdf copy that includes your name and student ID. Screenshots will not be accepted.
If you cannot find your transcript from a past school, please contact the registrar. If there is a delay in accessing transcripts, please submit your application and inform the board. We may still be able to proceed while waiting on transcript copies.
Financial Information: You will need the following: a) a current copy of your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) b) a copy of your Award letter from the Financial Aid office (if applicable) c) A copy of your most recent tax return (Not required if FAFSA summary provided)
All documents submitted must show your name, school ID if applicable. To protect your privacy and security, please black out your social security number on your tax return.
Please download pdf copies, do not submit screenshots.
If you have additional information you would like to share regarding your financial situation, please include that in the application - use the message section on the application page,
Your Personal Essay: The above data only tells us so much, so we want to learn more about you. Please share your academic and personal journey. Please include your goals. What do you hope to achieve by completing your degree, both for yourself and for your family? 700 word limit please. **The Essay must be in your own words as it speaks to your personal experiences. Any essays completed using ChatGPT or other AI software will not be accepted.
Letters of Recommendation: Must be completed by a person who can speak to your work ethic, academic performance, or character. The letter may not be completed by a family member or friend.
Date of Open Application: Now Open! Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Once a complete application has been submitted, interviews are scheduled and if awarded, applicants have scholarship funds often within two weeks.
Ensure your application is complete in order to expedite the process! If you have questions, please contact us and we will be happy to support you!
Please download the application, complete all sections, and submit on the ‘Apply’ tab on the top right hand corner