Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia
Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSF Philadelphia) is a Children's Scholarship Fund partner that awards partial K–8 scholarships to under-resourced Philadelphia families attending private schools. Recipients are chosen by a need-based random lottery, up to three students per family, and can keep the scholarship through 8th grade while eligible. CSF Philadelphia reports 90,000 scholarships and $147 million paid since 2001. It is listed in Philadelphia County on the PA Department of Community and Economic Development's approved scholarship organization list and on the OSTC list.
- Tax-credit scholarship organization
For families
Families apply directly to the organization, often through their school. Household income must be no more than $122,322 plus $21,531 per dependent, per DCED. OSTC scholarships also require living in the attendance area of a low-achieving public school.
For donors
Pennsylvania businesses and special-purpose entities apply to DCED for EITC or OSTC credits worth 75% of a contribution, or 90% with a two-year commitment (up to $750,000 a year per business), then give to the organization. Pennsylvania had not opted in to the federal scholarship tax credit as of October 2026.
About Children's Scholarship Fund Philadelphia
- States served
- Pennsylvania
- Who it serves
- Philadelphia children in kindergarten through 8th grade from lower-income families.
- Programs
- Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC); Pennsylvania Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC)
- Last checked
- Oct 13, 2026
Profile compiled from the organization’s site and official state lists. Each SGO sets its own rules and decides every application.
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