The Nellie Reynolds Scholarship, formerly known as the PhillySEEDS Scholarship Program, has been renamed in honor of Nellie Reynolds, a trailblazing advocate for affordable housing and education. Her lifelong commitment to uplifting PHA residents and program participants continues to inspire our mission. PhillySEEDS created this scholarship to support PHA residents, program participants, and the broader PHA community as they begin or continue their education at an accredited college, university, or trade school. Awards of $3,000, $4,000, and $5,000 are offered annually on a rolling basis, with eligibility requirements remaining unchanged.
Despite financial aid opportunities, many of Philadelphia’s brightest students face barriers to higher education. Families often struggle to cover the gap between scholarship packages and tuition or afford additional expenses like transportation. PhillySEEDS remains committed to combating these challenges through this program, empowering residents and program participants to further their education, increase their self-sufficiency, and become role models in their communities. Applications are reviewed by a panel of PhillySEEDS board members, PHA residents, resident leaders, staff, and partners to ensure continued support for those striving to achieve their academic goals.
“I have been fortunate to receive the PhillySEEDS scholarship for all four years of my college experience, am set to graduate in the top 10 of my class with a GPA of 3.7, have consistently been on the Dean’s List, and am in various honors societies. PhillySEEDS has played a crucial role in my successful educational journey, as well as that of my sister, and we will both be graduating this year, breaking patterns in our family and establishing new precedents. Our goals and aspirations, largely fueled by the support of PhillySEEDS, are testament to the transformative power of education, especially for underprivileged communities. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities provided by PhillySEEDS and am committed to paying it forward in the future.”
Because of the support I received from PhillySEEDS, I am able to say that I graduated from Arcadia University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Computing Technology Design, becoming the first person in my family to receive a college degree. There are truly no words that can express my gratitude.
“I am incredibly grateful for the PhillySEEDS scholarship, since the tuition at NYU is $90k/year and I could not have attended without it. PhillySEEDS is making it possible for me to receive acting training at one of the most prestigious drama programs in the world. My long-term plans are to make theater and performing arts more accessible in lower-income neighborhoods and schools in Philadelphia.”
“I have been fortunate to receive the PhillySEEDS scholarship for all four years of my college experience, am set to graduate in the top 10 of my class with a GPA of 3.7, have consistently been on the Dean’s List, and am in various honors societies. PhillySEEDS has played a crucial role in my successful educational journey, as well as that of my sister, and we will both be graduating this year, breaking patterns in our family and establishing new precedents. Our goals and aspirations, largely fueled by the support of PhillySEEDS, are testament to the transformative power of education, especially for underprivileged communities. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities provided by PhillySEEDS and am committed to paying it forward in the future.”