Scholarships

At O'Hara, we aim to keep you and your family updated on all different scholarship opportunities that become available throughout the year! We will periodically update this page as the school year moves along with new potential scholarships that can be applied for, or opportunities to look further into.

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Merit Scholarship Application

Along with academic scholarships, Cardinal O’Hara offers Merit Scholarships as well.

Once you have submitted your child’s application for admission, be sure to fill out the Merit Scholarship application.

The following Merit Scholarships can be applied for right from your child’s admissions portal:

Fine & Performing Arts Awards

Excellence in Art (must submit 3 samples of art work)
Excellence in Instrumental Music (audition is required to qualify for this scholarship)
Excellence in Performing Arts (may include vocal, acting or dance; please see below for audition requirement)
- All applications require a different essay completed by the student for each individual scholarship in addition to the portfolio or video.

Educational Impact Awards

These essays should reflect the student's journey in their school

Dedication Awards

Devotion to Faith
Striving to be a Leader
Commitment to Community Service

Applications for the Educational Impact and Dedication Awards require a different essay completed by the student for each individual scholarship. These essays are reviewed for award based on the story behind them - Did your student have a teacher that made an impact in a particular subject? Did they come to love a subject or school in general after a particular situation? Are they involved in the community? How they strive to be a leader? What do they do to grow in their faith? Click the button below to log into your child’s admissions portal and submit your merit application today! All applications, essays, and other materials must be received by November 16, 2025.

Apply for a Merit Scholarship!

Additional Scholarship Information

Along with academic scholarships and merit scholarships, applicants are invited to apply for any scholarships* below that you may meet the criteria for. Please click on the linked title for each scholarship to learn more and, in some cases, to apply if applications are open yet.

* To be considered, a student must have a completed application for admission to O'Hara.

Scholarships

Jack O'Neill Scholarship

The Jack O'Neill Memorial Scholarship has been established to provide assistance to deserving students who portray the same values that Jack did throughout his life. The Jack O'Neill Memorial Scholarship has been set up to honor his memory and ensure his legacy lives on.

Application Requirements:

Candidates will need to be of Catholic faith.
A letter of recommendation from a current or former teacher, coach, charity director, or clergy member.
Attend a Catholic school during the 2025-2026 school year.
Must participate in an extracurricular activity such as soccer for a club or high school.
Submit an essay on the topic "Please explain in your own words what giving back to the community means to you and how it has made you a better person."

Additional Requirements:

Applicants must donate their time in some way to help the community.

Scholarship Details Listed Below:

Two (2) $1000 scholarships will be awarded to 8th graders attending a Catholic high school for the 2025-2026 school year.
Three (3) $1000 scholarships will be awarded to either a freshman, sophomore, or junior that currently attends a Catholic high school and meets the requirements.
Scholarships will be awarded for the 2026-2027 school year.

Essay and Application Submission:

Labeled as "The Jack O'Neill Scholarship"
10380 Drummond Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154, PO Box 6015
Postmarked by May 30, 2026

*Late applications will not be accepted.*

Click the link below to access the full Jack O'Neill Memorial Scholarship application:

jack o'neill memorial scholarship application

AOH Dennis Kelly Division Scholarship

The Dennis Kelly Division is awarding scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year to two incoming freshman who plan to attend either Cardinal O'Hara, Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast, or Archbishop Carroll. The amount of the scholarship varies from year to year but for 2025/2026, the Dennis Kelly Division intends to offer two (2) one thousand-dollar ($1,000.00) scholarships.

To be eligible for this scholarship, a student must possess a MINIMUM of a 90 average and participate in at least one
extracurricular activity. The only exception is that this scholarship is not offered to relatives of AOH members.

In order to be considered for the this scholarship, students must:

Submit an application
Submit their most recent report card
Include a Letter of Recommendation from a person or persons who are personally familiar with the student’s scholastic or extra-curricular activities.
AOH’s motto is: “Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity.” Students must submit at minimum a one (1) page essay regarding how they live their life in pursuant to AOH's motto.

Completed application packages can be submitted via mail to P.O. Box 1606, Havertown, PA 19083-1606 or via e-mail to denniskellyaoh01@gmail.com. Applications will be accepted from March 17, 2026 through May 10, 2026.

Use the link below to access the full scholarship application:

full scholarship application

*Please note that a student may apply for themselves or be nominated by another.*

The Lawrence and Phyllis Rebbecchi Sr. Memorial Scholarship

St. James Alumni Scholarship

Louis "Pop" Guiteras Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to one incoming freshman of Cardinal O'Hara High School per year. Please note that a student's academic records, standardized test scores, and if applicable, scholarship test scores will be evaluated in the selection process of this scholarship. Candidates for this scholarship must also have demonstrated financial need of at least $5,000 for consideration. If you have not done so, please complete the FACTS financial aid application so family need can be evaluated. Click here to apply.

Application deadline is January 9, 2026.

St. Thomas More Alumni Scholarship

Archbishop's Grant for Archdiocesan Employees

This Archbishop’s Grant is for full-time Employees of the Archdiocese who work in a parish, school, or AOP setting. Grants apply to high school tuition and grant recipients may only use the grant at one AOPS high school. Employees must apply for the grant each year. They will award grants based on the number of applicants and the calculated need of each applicant so award amounts may vary.

In addition to completing the application, applicants must also submit a tuition assistance application through FACTS Grant and Aid on or before December 31, (this includes uploading a copy of your most recent tax return). Click here to apply for FACTS.

The application opens October 1 and the deadline is Wednesday, December 31, 2025. They will communicate awards to all who complete the above steps on or before March 1, 2026. Once attendance is confirmed of each grant recipient at the designated school in September, the award amount will be sent from the archdiocese to the designated school.

Apply today for the Archbishop's Grant for Archdiocese Employees!

Tim Soulas Memorial Scholarship Fund Application

This scholarship is awarded to one incoming freshman from St. Francis Parish to Cardinal O'Hara per year, and is determined through reviewing student's academic records and standardized test scores, along with involvement in extracurricular activities and the desire to continue involvement at Cardinal O'Hara.

Application deadline is December 31, 2025.

Apply today for the Tim Soulas Memorial Scholarship!

Cardinal O'Hara Class of 2030 Legacy Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded to incoming students in the Class of 2030 whose parent or grandparent graduated from O'Hara. Our committee evaluates this application and makes awards to a limited number of recipients. This scholarship ranges from $500-1000 per year for four years based on a student's good academic and behavioral standing. Deadline is Monday, December 1, 2025.

Apply today for the Class of 2030 Legacy Scholarship!

Hallahan Alumnae Association Legacy Scholarship

Since the closing of John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School, the Hallahan Alumnae Association has been awarding scholarships to a select number of female 8th grade legacy students who will attend an archdiocesan high school.

Any student whose mother, grandmother, sibling, aunt or cousin graduated from Hallahan will be eligible to apply for a scholarship of $2,000 per year to honor their commitment to Catholic education and to further recognize the respected connection among all archdiocesan schools. Requirements are listed in the application. Application deadline is January 31, 2026. Click here to apply.

Ellis Tuition Assistance Grant

The Ellis Trust for Girls helps young women in the Philadelphia area enhance their high school experience and prepare for post-secondary success. Each year, the Trust awards grants to eligible young women to support their education and life goals by providing tuition assistance for students attending independent and parochial high schools.

Application opens January 1, 2026 and deadline is March 15, 2026. Click here to apply.

Norphans Scholarship

The goal of the Norphans is to raise funds to help families with the rising costs of Catholic education. The Norphans have been an incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization since 2014. These scholarships are only for students who are the children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of Northeast Catholic High School graduates. Students must also be enrolled in a Catholic High School in the Philadelphia or South Jersey region. Use the link below for the full application.

Link to full application:

application link

Corporal Jimmy O'Connor Memorial Scholarship Fund

Corporal James O'Connor was a proud graduate of Northeast Catholic High School. On March 13, 2020, Corporal James O'Connor was shot and killed during a SWAT operation. James O'Connor was 46 years old at the time of his passing. He is survived by his wife and two children. This scholarship is only available to current high school students who are the children or grandchildren of Police Officers. Use the link below for the full application.

Link to full application:

application link

Msgr. John Mitchell Memorial Trust Fund Scholarship

The Monsignor Mitchell Scholarship Fund supports high school students in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia who are Catholic and African American, with academic ability and financial need. One (or more, if economically feasible) one-year scholarship(s), up to $2,500, are awarded annually based upon the determination of the Selection Committee. Student recipients must reapply each year. Please see the application application in the highlighted link above for details on application details and submission.

Application deadline is April 30, 2026. Click here to apply.

AOH Dennis Kelly Division 1 of Havertown Scholarship

The Dennis Kelly Division has a Scholarship Program for 8th graders intending to attend Cardinal O’Hara, Archbishop Carroll or Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast. The amount of the scholarship varies from year to year; last year they awarded two $1,000 scholarships. To be eligible for this scholarship a student must possess a minimum of a 90 average and participate in at least one extracurricular activity. The only prohibition is that this scholarship is not offered to relatives of AOH members.

The AOH’s motto is “Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity.” We require the student to submit a one-page essay regarding how that student lives their life pursuant to our motto. Specifically, how they conduct themselves in a way that promotes friendship, unity and charity. Please note that a student may apply themselves or be nominated by another. Completed application packages can be submitted via mail to P.O. Box 1606, Havertown, PA 19083-1606 or via e-mail to denniskellyaoh01@gmail.com.

Applications will be accepted from March 17th until May 10th

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Click here for access to the FACTS financial aid application.

Scholarships

Along with academic scholarships, Cardinal O’Hara offers Merit Scholarships as well.

Once you have submitted your child’s application for admission, be sure to fill out the Merit Scholarship application. The following Merit Scholarships can be applied for right from your child’s admissions portal:

Once you have submitted your child’s application for admission, be sure to fill out the Merit Scholarship application.

The following Merit Scholarships can be applied for right from your child’s admissions portal: