Funded by the City of Philadelphia and administered at Community College of Philadelphia, the Catto Scholarship serves new students, transfers with up to 30 prior credits, and former students returning after at least one year. It requires a diploma/GED, 12 months of Philadelphia residency, full-time enrollment of 12 credits, FAFSA and an SAI of $8,000 or less, plus college-ready placement or one level below in English and math.
The award covers remaining tuition and fees after federal grants and may include up to $1,600 per semester for needs such as food, transportation, and books, plus course-material support. It also includes advising, coaching, tutoring, bridge courses, career workshops, and connections to city services, so planning should account for both price and retention support.
There is no separate Catto application: first apply to CCP, complete English and math placement, enroll full time, and finish financial-aid requirements. FAFSA must be renewed annually. Undocumented students unable to file FAFSA may use the Student Aid Estimator and send a screenshot with their student number to the Catto office for review.
To renew, students must keep Philadelphia residency, a 2.0 GPA, satisfactory academic progress, at least 20 credits by the end of year one and 42 by the end of year two, and 12 credits each fall and spring. Funding is capped at 150% of required program credits. The stipend is not a fixed guaranteed amount for everyone; confirm enrollment, materials, SAI, and balance with the office before registering.
Confirm with Catto that your residency date meets the 12-month rule and that prior credits remain within the transfer cap. Complete English and math placement before selecting courses; placement more than one level below may block entry even if other criteria are met. Keep your Student Aid Index and FAFSA verification records. When budgeting the stipend, ask when it is credited and what documentation is needed for food, transportation, or books.
Read the aid-program profile and official FAFSA guide; ask the college for an individual balance review.
Octavius Catto Scholarship — Community College of Philadelphia.
Catto Scholarship Handbook — Community College of Philadelphia.
Information checked October 13, 2026 against official sources. Eligibility, funding, and dates depend on the academic year and may change. Tuition aid does not necessarily cover housing, books, transportation, or nonmandatory fees; confirm your situation and award package in writing with the program and financial-aid office.
Compare your net award and excluded costs before committing; the financial-aid office confirms the final balance.
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Octavius Catto Scholarship — Community College of Philadelphia
Funded by the City of Philadelphia and administered at Community College of Philadelphia, the Catto Scholarship serves new students, transfers with up to 30 prior credits, and former students returning after at least one year. It requires a diploma/GED, 12 months of Philadelphia residency, full-time enrollment of 12 credits, FAFSA and an SAI of $8,000 or less, plus college-ready placement or one level below in English and math. The award covers remaining tuition and fees afte
College financial-aid program
Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education
The agency sets rates, eligibility, and caps; the college certifies need, cost, and the individual amount within those limits.
Public student-aid administering office
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Community College of Philadelphia · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Community College of Philadelphia · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Community College of Philadelphia · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Octavius Catto Scholarship — Community College of Philadelphia ↗
Primary source
Community College of Philadelphia · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.