Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund

Introduction
Thank you for considering an application for the Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship or one of the Named Scholarships managed by our program. Our awards support students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs and are granted on the basis of geographic residency, financial need, and academic merit.

Before you begin
Applicants typically spend more than four hours completing our application. Please read the eligibility and selection criteria below carefully to make sure this opportunity is a good fit for you before investing your time.

Who is eligible
- Must be an entering or continuing full-time undergraduate student (minimum 12 credit hours) at an accredited U.S. institution.
- Must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree (examples: BA, BS, BFA, BSN) for the first time. Students enrolled only in one- or two-year certificate programs or associate degree programs are not eligible. Students in integrated programs that extend five or more years and culminate in a master’s degree may apply during the first four undergraduate years of their program.
- Must be a permanent resident of one of the New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont.
- Must be a U.S. citizen OR a noncitizen who either (a) has current lawful presence in the United States with employment authorization, OR (b) files (or is claimed as a dependent on a parent’s) U.S. income tax return.

Academic standards
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Enrolled in a rigorous course of study.
- Able to demonstrate strong writing ability.

Financial need requirements
Qualifying applicants will typically meet all of the following:
- A Student Aid Index (SAI) on the FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) of 13,000 or less. If your SAI exceeds 13,000 but you believe you face unusual financial hardship, please contact us at staff@spscholars.org to discuss your circumstances.
- At least $7,000 of unmet financial need at the college you plan to attend, as calculated by our Financial Eligibility Calculator.
- A parent Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) consistent with low- to moderate-income levels.

For context: in 2025, 91% of students newly awarded scholarships had federal SAIs below 10,000, and 90% had family AGIs of $100,000 or less.

Character and commitment
Competitive applicants typically:
- Show a sincere desire to contribute positively to society now and in the future.
- Balance community involvement, school responsibilities, and work activities.
- Pursue their goals with integrity, resolve, self-discipline, and sound judgment.
- Hold part-time employment while studying.

Questions
If you have questions about eligibility or your financial situation, email staff@spscholars.org.