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Lola G. Duff and William H. Duff II Scholarship Fund

Annual Giving
$6.5M
Grant Range
$4K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Lola G. Duff and William H. Duff II Scholarship Fund

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,490,817 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 13 weeks (notifications by early June)
  • Grant Range: $4,000 - $15,000 per academic year
  • Geographic Focus: Allegheny County, PA (primary); also considers Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties
  • Renewability: Up to 4 years total (renewable for 3 additional years)

Contact Details

Administrator: Scholarship America (on behalf of PNC Bank, NA, Trustee)

Application Portal: https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/duffscholarship/

General Trustee Inquiries: charitabletrusts@pnc.com

Address: 116 Allegheny Center Mall, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Overview

The Lola G. Duff and William H. Duff II Scholarship Fund was established in 2004 under the will of Lola G. Duff and is administered by PNC Bank, NA, as Trustee. The fund originated from an approximately $80 million bequest from William H. Duff III, who died in 2004, establishing the scholarship in honor of his parents. The Duff family has deep Pittsburgh roots dating back to 1839, when Scottish immigrant Peter Duff founded Duff's Business College and P. Duff and Sons, a molasses company that later pioneered boxed cake mixes during the Great Depression. Today, the fund supports Protestant students from Allegheny County and surrounding Pennsylvania counties pursuing their first bachelor's degree at any accredited four-year institution nationwide. The fund distributes over $6.4 million annually in scholarship support, making it one of the region's most significant scholarship resources.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Merit-Based Awards

  • Amount: $6,000/year at public institutions; $12,000/year at private institutions
  • GPA Requirement: Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (on 4.0 scale)
  • Renewability: Up to 3 additional years or until bachelor's degree completion
  • Application Method: Online through Scholarship America portal; fixed annual deadline

Financial Need-Based Awards

  • Amount: $4,000 - $15,000 per academic year (varies based on demonstrated need)
  • GPA Requirement: Minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA (on 4.0 scale)
  • Renewability: Up to 3 additional years or until bachelor's degree completion
  • Application Method: Online through Scholarship America portal; fixed annual deadline

Key Features:

  • Students may apply for both merit and need-based awards simultaneously but must submit separate applications for each category
  • Students may receive awards from both categories in the same year
  • Only the first 1,000 applications received will be acknowledged and considered
  • The Trustee determines the total funding for new awards and the approximate number and size of awards annually

Priority Areas

Geographic Priority:

  1. Allegheny County, PA (primary preference)
  2. Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington, or Westmoreland Counties, PA (secondary consideration)

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be Protestant faith (letter from clergy on church letterhead required)
  • Must have attended high school (or homeschool) for at least two academic years in one of the eligible Pennsylvania counties
  • Must be pursuing initial bachelor's degree at accredited four-year institution
  • Must be enrolled full-time

What They Don't Fund

  • Students who already hold a bachelor's degree
  • Students not of Protestant faith
  • Part-time students
  • Students pursuing associate degrees, certificates, or graduate degrees
  • Students who have not attended high school in the eligible Pennsylvania counties for at least two years

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: PNC Bank, NA serves as the institutional trustee, managing the fund's assets and making final determinations on award amounts and distribution

Program Administrator: Scholarship America, the nation's largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs, administers the application process and payment processing on behalf of the Trustee

Selection Process: Scholarship America conducts the initial review and selection of recipients, with all decisions being final

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the Scholarship America Student Hub at https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/duffscholarship/

Separate Application Portals:

Required Materials:

  1. Completed online application
  2. Current, complete transcript of grades (grade reports are not accepted)
  3. Letter from a member of the clergy verifying Protestant faith, on church letterhead
  4. One online recommendation form (must be submitted by recommender by recommendation deadline)

Important Application Details:

  • Only the first 1,000 applications received will be acknowledged and considered
  • Students may submit applications for both merit and financial need categories but must complete separate applications
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered

Decision Timeline

Application Deadline: Early March (typically March 4 at 3:00pm Central Time)

Recommendation Deadline: Typically 3 days after application deadline (e.g., March 7 at 3:00pm Central Time)

Notification: All applicants will be notified by early June regarding their scholarship decision

Payment Schedule: Scholarship America processes payments on behalf of the Trustee in August

Total Timeline: Approximately 13 weeks from deadline to notification

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly disclosed. However, with over $6.4 million distributed annually and awards ranging from $4,000 to $15,000, the fund likely supports several hundred students each year. The 1,000-application limit suggests competitive but accessible odds for eligible applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Awards are renewable for up to three additional years (four years total) or until bachelor's degree completion, whichever comes first. Students must continue to meet eligibility requirements to maintain their awards.

For students who applied but were not selected: the scholarship materials state "all applicants agree to accept the decision as final," but there is no explicit prohibition on reapplying in subsequent years.

Application Success Factors

Faith Verification is Non-Negotiable: The requirement for a clergy letter on church letterhead is a firm requirement. Ensure this letter clearly states your Protestant affiliation and is on official church letterhead.

Geographic Preference Matters: While students from six Pennsylvania counties are eligible, Allegheny County residents receive preference. If you're from one of the secondary counties (Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington, or Westmoreland), acknowledge this in your application but don't let it discourage you from applying.

Timing is Critical: With only the first 1,000 applications considered, submit your application as early as possible when the portal opens. Don't wait until the deadline.

Complete Transcripts Required: Grade reports will not be accepted. Ensure you request official transcripts with sufficient advance notice from your school.

GPA Thresholds: Understand which category you qualify for. If you have a 3.0+ GPA, you should apply for the merit scholarship. If your GPA is between 2.8-2.99, apply for the financial need scholarship. If you qualify for both based on GPA and have financial need, submit separate applications for each category.

Choose Your Institution Type Strategically for Merit Awards: Merit awards pay $6,000/year at public institutions but $12,000/year at private institutions. If you're deciding between schools, factor this significant difference into your financial planning.

Recommendation Matters: Secure your recommender early and ensure they understand the deadline (typically 3 days after the application deadline). Follow up to confirm submission.

Renewability Strategy: These scholarships are renewable for up to four years total. Maintain your GPA above the minimum threshold and continue full-time enrollment to keep your funding through graduation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Note: This is a scholarship fund for individual students, not a grant-maker for organizations. The following information is relevant for students or those advising student applicants:

  • Apply early: Only the first 1,000 applications are considered—don't wait until the March deadline
  • Faith documentation is essential: Secure your clergy letter on church letterhead early in the process
  • Geographic preference exists: Allegheny County residents have priority, but students from five other PA counties are eligible
  • Double-application opportunity: Students can apply for both merit and need-based awards with separate applications—take advantage if eligible
  • Significant four-year value: With renewability up to four years, a $15,000/year award represents $60,000 in total support
  • Institution type affects merit awards: Private school attendance doubles the merit award amount ($12,000 vs $6,000)
  • Full-time enrollment required: Part-time students are not eligible—plan your course load accordingly

References

Accessed: December 2025

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