PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Community College of Philadelphia has graduated its first Catto Scholar. The milestone comes one year after the launch of the city-funded scholarship for first-generation college students.
"Congratulations on being our first graduate," a presenter said to Idris Washington. He was juggling so much to get through CCP, he says, that he was a little confused when he first heard about the Catto Scholarship.
"To hear that there’s a program that offers students a little ease ... letting students focus on the work, was just amazing for me to hear," said Washington.
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The scholarship, named for 19th century civil rights activist, scholar and educator Octavius Catto, is awarded to first-generation college students. The $47 million program provides tuition and money for books and other expenses, to make a degree accessible.
Currently 500 students are enrolled.
Mayor Jim Kenney proposed the scholarship in 2020. It got delayed by the pandemic, but for the mayor, it was a priority to get the program up and rolling by last January.
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"We know that education is the pathway to prosperity, and that the Catto scholarship is putting students on that pathway and making sure they stay there," said the mayor.
In addition to money, the program provides support such as counseling and tutoring, which Washington said has been huge.
"The thought of having people there for you just really helps you," said Washington.
Now, for him, it's on to Temple University.
