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Pennsylvania's Under-recognized History

The Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation’s (PHF’s) mission to help preserve the Commonwealth’s rich heritage includes supporting the next generation of scholars and encouraging their enthusiasm for Pennsylvania History. For our second annual PHF Essay Scholarship, we are asking applicants to prepare an essay of up to 1,500 words about a person, location, or event that has been under-recognized in Pennsylvania History. 

Two cash awards of $1,000 and three cash awards of $500 will be presented for the best essays received. Eligible applicants should be current Pennsylvania residents attending a two- or four-year Pennsylvania college or university in the Fall of 2025 and pursuing a course of study in History or an allied field. We will be looking for well-written and thoughtfully articulated essays that elevate the topic with originality and understanding.

The Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation will be awarding 5 Scholarships:

  • 2 -  $1000 awards  
  • 3  - $500 awards

Essay: 1,500 words maximum (not including citations and sources) about a topic of Pennsylvania’s Underrecognized History

Personal Statement:

  • Brief explanation of how your study engages with the field of History
  • Proof of full time enrollment in a Pennsylvania two- or four-year college degree program or copy of letter of acceptance (if entering the first year of post-secondary education)

Due date:  May 2, 2025 at 11:59pm

Applicant Requirements:

  • Attending a Pennsylvania two- or four-year college or university in the Fall of 2025
  • Pursuing a course of study in History or an allied field. Please explain in your personal statement.
  • Current PA resident 

The following attachments must be received electronically or postmarked by May 2, 2025:

  • Completed Application 
  • Proof of full time enrollment in a Pennsylvania two- or four-year college degree program or copy of letter of acceptance (if entering the first year of post-secondary education)
  • Personal statement (250 word maximum) outlining how your path engages with the field of History.
  • Essay supported with appropriate citations and sources
     

Submit your application by:

Completing the form below and uploading required documents, or

E-mail application and required documents to RA-paheritage@pa.gov, or

Mail Application and required documents to:
Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation
400 North Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Attn: Scholarship Committee

Winners will be notified by email on or before June 30, 2025. Awards will be announced in the PHF newsletter, on our website, and in the September 2025 issue of Pennsylvania Heritage Magazine. 

Selection by the Committee will be final.

If you have any questions, please email or call Jodie Dodson at c-jododson@pa.gov or 717-787-9123.

Complete the Following Application

  • If you do not receive a confirmation email or message, please forward all documents and answers to the application directly to: 
    Jodie Dodson at c-jododson@pa.gov.
First and Last Name
Name
First Name *
Last Name *
Email Address
Street Address
City, State & Zip Code
Name of Current School Attending
College Name, Address and Year Entering Fall 2025
Extracurricular Activities
Upload Proof of Full Time Enrollment or Acceptance, Personal Statement, Essay and any additional files here

Uploading tip: Individual documents must be selected as one grouping and dragged to the box. Or. upload all documents into one file folder to upload.

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By submitting this application and accompanying documentation, I hereby grant the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation permission to use my name and any related content for promotional and publicity purposes, including but not limited to website features and social media posts.

I understand that the information provided in my scholarship application and essay may be shared with the public through newsletters and social media posts. This content may be used indefinitely and without further compensation.

 

 

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