Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund

Thank you for your interest in the Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship and the Named Scholarships we administer. Before you begin the application (many students spend about four hours completing it), please read the information below so you can decide whether this is a good fit for you.

Who these scholarships are for
- Students enrolled full-time in an accredited U.S. undergraduate program who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree for the first time (examples: BA, BS, BFA, BSN). Certificate programs and associate degrees do not qualify.
- Permanent residents of a New England state: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont.
- Awards are made based on location, demonstrated financial need, academic achievement, and personal qualities such as leadership, work ethic, and community commitment.

Key eligibility requirements (must meet these)
- Enrollment: An entering or returning student at an accredited undergraduate institution in the U.S., enrolled full-time (minimum 12 credit hours).
- Degree status: Pursuing a bachelor’s degree for the first time. Students in five-plus year programs that culminate in a master’s degree may apply only for the first four undergraduate years.
- Citizenship/immigration: U.S. citizens OR noncitizens who either (a) have lawful presence in the U.S. with employment authorization, OR (b) file (or are dependents of someone who files) a U.S. income tax return.
- Residency: Permanent resident of one of the six New England states listed above.

Academic expectations
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Enrolled in a demanding course of study appropriate to your major.
- Able to demonstrate clear, skilled writing.

Financial need (what we look for)
- SAI: A Student Aid Index (SAI) from your FAFSA Submission Summary of 13,000 or less. If your SAI is higher but you believe you have extenuating financial circumstances, contact staff@spscholars.org.
- Unmet need: At least $7,000 of financial unmet need at your chosen college as calculated by the Financial Eligibility Calculator.
- Family income: Generally a low-to-moderate parent Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). For context, in 2025, 91% of newly awarded students had federal SAIs under 10,000, and 90% had family AGIs of $100,000 or less.

Character and seriousness
Strong applicants typically:
- Show a desire to make a meaningful contribution to society now and in the future.
- Balance community involvement, school responsibilities, and work.
- Pursue goals with integrity, self-discipline, and good judgment.
- Work part-time while studying.

A few practical notes
- Completing the application can take time—plan accordingly.
- If you have questions about eligibility or special circumstances (for example, SAI exceptions), email staff@spscholars.org before you start.
- If you meet the requirements above and the mission of the scholarship resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.

Good luck. If you’d like, tell me a little about your situation and I can help you decide whether this is a scholarship you should pursue.