Who Is Eligible for the Neumann Scholarship?

If you’re a parent or student in the 8th grade looking for a full high school scholarship opportunity, the Neumann Scholarship could be your golden ticket. Awarded to a select number of bright students in the Philadelphia area, this scholarship can fully cover four years of tuition at an Archdiocesan high school in the region.

In this article, we’ll break down exactly who qualifies, how to apply, and everything else you need to know in simple language, no complicated jargon.

What Is the Neumann Scholarship?

The Neumann Scholarship is a full-tuition academic scholarship awarded annually by the Connelly Foundation, a private nonprofit based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The goal is to support academically gifted 8th-grade students from Catholic grade schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Every year, the foundation selects around 40 high-achieving students and covers their entire high school tuition for four years at an Archdiocesan high school of their choice.

What Makes the Neumann Scholarship Special?

Covers full high school tuition
Based on academic merit—not income or need
Recognized across Pennsylvania as prestigious
Gives access to high-quality Catholic high school education

Who Is Eligible for the Neumann Scholarship?

Let’s break this down step-by-step in the simplest way possible:

1. Current 8th Grade Student

You must be in 8th grade and enrolled in a Catholic elementary school in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at the time of applying.

You’re not eligible if:

You’re in 7th grade or below
You’re already in high school
You go to a public, private (non-Catholic), or home school

2. Attend a Catholic Grade School in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

You must be a student at a Catholic elementary school within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This includes students in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties.

If you attend a Catholic school outside the Archdiocese, like in New Jersey or Pittsburgh, you are not eligible.

3. Outstanding Academic Record

This is a merit-based scholarship, so your grades matter—a lot.

You must:

Be among the top students in your school
Show academic excellence in subjects like Math, English, Science, and Social Studies
Have a strong report card from 6th and 7th grade

4. Strong Performance in the Neumann Scholarship Test

Eligible students are nominated by their schools and must take the Neumann Scholarship Test, which is typically given in early October.

The test includes:

Reading Comprehension
Vocabulary
Grammar
Mathematics

Only the students who score in the top range on the test will win the scholarship.

5. School Nomination Required

You can’t apply on your own. Your principal must nominate you for the scholarship. This means your school has to believe you are among the top academic performers.

6. Plan to Attend a Catholic High School

You must plan to attend a Catholic Archdiocesan High School (like Roman Catholic, Archbishop Wood, etc.) after 8th grade. The scholarship only applies to these schools.

It doesn’t cover:

Private Catholic high schools not part of the Archdiocese
Public or charter high schools
Boarding schools or online schools

Timeline: How and When to Apply

Here’s a general timeline of how the application process works:

Date	Event
Spring (7th grade)	Principals are notified about upcoming application
September (8th grade)	Students are nominated by principals
October	Students take the Neumann Scholarship Exam
December–January	Winners are announced
Following Fall	Scholarship begins with 9th grade

What’s on the Neumann Scholarship Test?

Many students and parents wonder how hard the test is. While the foundation does not release specific test materials, the exam typically measures:

Reading comprehension: Understanding passages and answering questions
Grammar: Correct usage of punctuation, capitalization, parts of speech
Math: Algebra, geometry, and word problems
Vocabulary: Understanding words in context

It’s similar to a high-level standardized test, but focused on 8th-grade content.

What Happens If You Win?

If your child is selected as a Neumann Scholar, here’s what happens next:

You receive a letter of congratulations
Your full tuition at the chosen Archdiocesan high school is covered for all 4 years
You become part of a community of high-achieving Catholic students
You may also receive special recognition and opportunities throughout high school

What If I Don’t Win?

Even if you don’t win the scholarship, just being nominated is an honor.

Also:

Your school may have other scholarships
You can still apply for financial aid through the Archdiocese
Keep working hard—other scholarships may be available in high school.

Who Is Eligible for the Neumann Scholarship?

What Is the Neumann Scholarship?

What Makes the Neumann Scholarship Special?