PHILADELPHIA, July 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) offered congratulatory and motivational words today to a group of 200-plus recent Philadelphia high school graduates who are all recipients of a 2014 CORE Philadelphia Promise Scholarship. Fattah's address was part of the annual, day-long CORE Philly Sendoff Conference.
Speaking to the group, Fattah pressed them to continue to reach high and challenge themselves when it came to their educational and career goals. "It's important that you not only go to college, but that you finish," Fattah told the assembled group of students during his remarks, also stressing the resources and financial aid available to help them succeed in this next stage of life. "Next, I look forward to speaking at your college graduations."
Through convening key partners together to create the CORE (College Opportunity Resources for Education) Philly program more than a decade ago, Fattah saw the city-wide benefit to increasing the number of college-bound Philadelphia students, while developing a talented, educated workforce for the community to draw on. To date, CORE has provided approximately $32 million in scholarships to more than 26,000 Philadelphia-area students.
"Now in its 10th year of sending Philadelphia students on to college, we can see the direct benefits of the program," Fattah said. "For many of the city's low-income students, having a guarantee that there is scholarship money available is a huge incentive to not only graduate from high school, but continue their education and receive a college diploma."
Fattah's address was part of the annual, summer celebration event for the scholarship recipients. In addition to Fattah's remarks, students participated in college preparation workshops and received financial aid counseling.
CORE offers Promise Scholarships of up to $2,000 to high school seniors to help pay first-year college expenses. The scholarships are available to all Philadelphia high school graduates for their freshman year of college; the only requirements are a diploma, Philadelphia residency, and acceptance at one of the 21 participating Pennsylvania institutions.
SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah
