Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4.9 million+
• Success Rate: ~33% (150 new awards from 450+ applications estimated)
• Decision Time: 8-12 weeks
• Grant Range: $3,000 - $18,000 annually (renewable for 4 years)
• Geographic Focus: New England residents only (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)

Contact Details

• Website: https://phillips-scholarship.org/
• Phone: (978) 744-2111
• Email: staff@spscholars.org
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 870, Salem, MA 01970

Overview

Founded in 1991 by Betty Phillips in memory of her husband Stephen, the Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund has awarded over $70 million in scholarships to more than 4,400 students from New England. The foundation provides renewable undergraduate scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $18,000 annually, supporting over 450 students each year with $4.9 million in annual awards. Mrs. Phillips, who personally struggled to complete her education due to financial constraints, established the fund to remove financial barriers for under-represented student populations in New England. The foundation operates as a private foundation focused exclusively on direct-to-student scholarship awards for bachelor's degree programs at accredited institutions nationwide.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Undergraduate Scholarships: $3,000 - $18,000 annually
  • Renewable for up to 4 years
  • Average award: $6,000 - $10,000 per year
  • Application via online portal only
  • Fixed annual deadlines (April 3 for early response, May 1 regular)

Priority Areas

• First-time bachelor's degree seekers
• New England residents with demonstrated financial need
• Students showing academic achievement (3.0+ GPA)
• Those demonstrating community involvement and work ethic
• Under-represented student populations

What They Don't Fund

• Graduate or professional degrees
• Associate degree or certificate programs
• Part-time students
• Students outside New England
• Second bachelor's degrees
• Students with SAI above 13,000

Governance and Leadership

• Executive Director: Barbara Welles Iler
• Program Director: Pamela Constantine
• Associate Program Director: Kate Gearan
• Program Associate: Madeleine Jacobs

The foundation maintains a Board of Trustees responsible for investment management and strategic oversight. From 1991 until her death in 1996, founder Betty Phillips was personally involved in selecting scholarship recipients.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online only through phillips-scholarship.org. The foundation uses a comprehensive application reviewing academic achievement, financial need, community involvement, work ethic, and leadership. Most applicants spend 4+ hours completing the application. A financial eligibility calculator is available on the website to pre-screen eligibility.

Decision Timeline

• Early Response (April 3 deadline): Notification by late April
• Regular Deadline (May 1): Notification by late June
• The first 400 early applicants receive decisions before the common college reply date of May 1

Success Rates

Approximately 150 new scholarships are awarded annually from an estimated 450+ applications, suggesting a ~33% success rate for new applicants. Over 300 renewal scholarships are also awarded annually.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent years if they continue to meet eligibility criteria. Current recipients must maintain a 2.5 GPA for renewal and demonstrate continued financial need.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated selection criteria, competitive applicants demonstrate:

• Strong academic performance (3.0+ GPA required, higher preferred)
• Active community service and extracurricular involvement
• Employment history showing effort to fund education
• Leadership qualities and commitment to making a difference
• Clear demonstration of financial need (SAI ≤13,000, Phillips Eligibility ≥$7,000)
• Strong recommendation from guidance counselor (required for high school applicants)
• Well-articulated personal story connecting to the foundation's mission of removing financial barriers

The foundation specifically values students who "strive to make a difference in society" and show a strong work ethic through employment while pursuing education.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Individual grants only - This foundation does not make organizational grants, only direct student scholarships
• Strict geographic limits - Applicants must be permanent residents of New England states
• Online-only applications - No paper applications accepted
• Renewable support - Awards continue for 4 years with satisfactory academic progress
• Financial need critical - Use the eligibility calculator before applying to ensure qualification
• Early application advantageous - First 400 early applicants receive decisions before May 1
• Holistic review process - Excellence required across academics, service, work, and leadership

References

• Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund Official Website: https://phillips-scholarship.org/ (Accessed March 2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF Filings: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/275040651 (November 14, 2024)
• Cause IQ Foundation Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/stephen-phillips-memorial-scholarship-fund,275040651/ (Accessed March 2024)
• GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/27-5040651 (Accessed March 2024)
• BigFuture College Board Scholarship Database: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarships/stephen-phillips-memorial-scholarship (Accessed March 2024)
• University of New Hampshire Office of National Fellowships: https://www.unh.edu/fellowships-office/resource/stephen-phillips-memorial-scholarship (Accessed March 2024)