Scholarships Available For Students Of Lowest-Achieving Schools

February 2, 2013 9:12 AM

(Photo Credit: KDKA)

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Students at low-achieving schools will have the possibility to apply for scholarships based on their school’s status.

The state Department of Education released its list of low-achieving schools across Pennsylvania Friday, which includes schools in Allegheny, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Mercer, Somerset and Westmoreland counties.

Students who live within the boundaries of a low-achieving school are eligible to apply for a scholarship through the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit program. Applicants could get as much as $8,500 — or $15,000 for special education — by applying.

As long as students live within the school’s boundary and their family’s annual income is less than $75,000 per year, another $12,000 is added for each dependent, they are eligible.

Schools that qualify as low-achieving have combined math and reading scores in the lowest 15 percent of elementary and secondary schools.

The DEP says 406 schools in 71 districts across the state are included in the list. More than 240,000 students would be eligible for scholarships.