Table of Contents

• About Octavius Catto
• The Catto Creed
• Catto Scholarship Core Values
  • Academic Excellence
  • Advocacy
  • Courtesy
  • Inclusion
  • Leadership
  • Persistence
• Catto Code of Conduct
• Scholarship Financial Coverage
• Monthly Payments for Basic Needs
• Maintaining Eligibility
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

About Octavius Catto

Octavius Valentine Catto was born on February 22, 1839, in Charleston, SC, and moved to Philadelphia, PA, at the age of 9. Well-educated and a natural leader, Catto realized the detrimental barriers racism posed to him and all African Americans. As a supporter of the Union cause and the Lincoln Administration, Catto raised one of the first volunteer companies in Pennsylvania under the authority of the Emancipation Proclamation and served as a soldier.

Catto was a voting advocate and raised awareness about elections through speeches and working with various organizations. He helped form the National Equal Rights League in 1864 and was elected secretary of the Pennsylvania State Equal Rights League chapter. In addition to becoming a national civil rights leader, Catto was a teacher and school administrator, member of The Franklin Institute, and a baseball player. In all forums, Catto championed the cause of equal rights.

On October 10, 1871 - Election Day - Catto passed two white men who were part of a group responsible for perpetrating violence and intimidating voters in his African- American neighborhood. One of the men, recognizing Catto, turned and fatally shot the 32-year-old in the crowded street. Even though his life was cut short, his courage and determination left a lasting impact on Philadelphia and the nation.

The Catto Creed

At the Catto Scholarship, we’re inspired by his legacy. Our staff are here to support students who are strong, resilient and ready to reach their goals. We promise to:

• Believe in you and your potential.
• Be fully present in every interaction.
• Treat you with respect and compassion.
• Remember that even small moments of connection can mean a lot.

Together, we’re working toward a future where education opens doors for everyone.

Catto Scholarship Core Values

We carry Catto’s legacy forward through six core values. These values guide how we support you and how we hope you grow as a scholar and leader

Academic Excellence

Education is transformative. Strive for growth, curiosity, and integrity in your academic journey.

Advocacy

Use your voice and actions to advance equity and justice, following Catto’s example of civic engagement.

Courtesy

Build a respectful and support community by practicing kindness and empathy.

Inclusion

Celebrate diversity and foster belonging. Every perspective strengthens our community.

Leadership

Lead with initiative and integrity. Inspire others while making a positive impact.

Persistence

Stay determined, even in the face of challenges. Perseverance is key to achieving both academic and personal goals.

Catto Code of Conduct

As a Catto Scholar, you represent both the Scholarship and Community College of Philadelphia. With that honor comes responsibility. Scholars are expected to upload the values of Octavius Catto while also following the College’s official Student Code of Conduct. This includes strict policies against sexual harassment, misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking:

• Student Code of Conduct
• Policy Against Title IX Sexual Harassment
• • Policy Against Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct & Relationship Violence

Suspected violations of these policies are taken seriously by the Scholarship and can result in revoked access to the Scholarship's resources and facilities as well as a report to the Department of Public Safety, Dean of Students, and/or Title IX Coordinator. The Scholarship may also be revoked if students are suspended or expelled due to the College’s judicial review process.   

• Below are examples of unacceptable behavior from the official College policies. This is not a complete list, but these actions could result in loss of Scholarship access and disciplinary action:
• Behavior that is disruptive, lewd, or indecent.
• Repeated requests for dates or social interaction made through verbal requests, social media, texts, notes, telephone calls, facsimiles, e-mails, or other electronic communication;
• Remarks of a sexual nature regarding a person’s clothing, body, sexual activity, previous sexual experience, or sexual orientation;
• Sexually explicit statements, questions, jokes or teasing;
• Visual displays of inappropriate sexual images;
• Unnecessarily touching, panting, hugging or brushing against a person’s body;
• Direct propositions of a sexual nature;
• Threats or acts of physical violence of any kind

Scholarship Financial Coverage

The Catto Scholarship is designed to reduce financial barriers so you can focus on your education. The scholarship provides last-dollar tuition, monthly direct payments, and bookstore credit each semester. To continue receiving Catto financial support, you must:

• Maintain Philadelphia Residency
• Complete the FAFSA each year (including all required documents, such as verification)
  • If not eligible for FAFSA, complete the Student Aid Estimator
• Remain eligible for federal aid by meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
  • If you lose federal aid due to SAP, you must submit an appeal to the Office of Financial Aid and be approved before Catto support can continue.

Financial aid funds, including the Catto Scholarship, are limited to 150% of the required credits for any given degree program. For example: Scholars in a 29-credit certificate program may only receive funding for up to 44 total attempted credits, whereas Scholars in a 60-credit associate degree program may receive funding for up to 90 total attempted credits. For this reason, Scholars should exercise caution when changing majors, taking courses that do not count toward their graduation requirements, or choosing to withdraw from any courses.

The Scholarship can provide financial support for a maximum of three years toward the completion of a certificate program or associate degree. The Scholarship cannot continue to support Scholars if it becomes mathematically impossible to graduate within this time limit. Scholars will be reviewed annually for progress toward their stated credential and continued eligibility and are expected to meet the benchmarks under the Maintaining Eligibility section.

Financial support from the Scholarship ends upon graduation from an associate degree program, formal notification of discontinuation following a review by the Catto Evaluation and Appeals Team, or upon reaching the three-year time limit for support (whichever comes first).

Last Dollar Tuition & Fee Support

Last-dollar tuition support means that federal grants, such as the Pell Grant and SEOG, are applied to tuition and fees first. If any balance remains, the Scholarship cover it. These funds are generally added to your financial aid package by the end of the add/drop period and a “good hold” is placed on your account to prevent you from being dropped from classes.

If you withdraw from a course, last-dollar tuition funds are calculated based on how much of the course you completed. Funds are prorated until you reach 60% of the course, after which they’re considered fully earned. Example: if you receive $500 in last-dollar tuition support and withdraw 3 weeks into a 15-week course: (3 ÷ 15) × 500 = $100 earned. The remaining 4400 becomes a balance you owe.

Other fund sources, including the Pennsylvania State Grant, are considered supplemental. They are usually refunded after the 20% attendance point for all courses and can be used to cover balances from withdrawn courses.

While the scholarship encourages to avoid student loans, we do not restrict them or remove them. You can remove or adjust the loans in your financial aid package by formally declining them in the Awards section on the Student tab of MyCCP. If you have already accepted them and would like to remove or adjust them, you can do so by completing the 2025-2026 Loan Request Form .

Summer & Winter Terms

Catto Scholars are expected to enroll in at least 12 credits in the Fall and Spring semesters. Winter (4 weeks) and Summer (7 weeks) sessions are optional, accelerated courses that allow you to earn extra credits. Scholars should consult with Academic Advising and Financial Aid before enrolling, as these courses can affect both your academic plan and financial aid eligibility.

The Winter term is attached to the Spring term’s financial aid funding package. This means that Scholars who take 3 credits in winter + 9 credits in Spring are considered full-time students. It also means that Scholars who take a winter course and 12 credits in Spring may receive a lower financial aid refund (if applicable) than they did in the Fall semester.

The Summer term is a separate financial aid term, split into early and late sessions, but both are part of the same financial aid package. If existing financial aid funds do not cover the full bill for winter or summer courses, the Catto Scholarship will provide last-dollar tuition funding if Scholars are in good standing with financial aid.

Monthly Payments for Basic Needs

Catto Scholars who actively participate in the program are eligible for a monthly payment of $275 to help cover basic needs, like food and transportation. These payments are part of your scholarship funds and not wages or taxable income. These payments do not affect benefit programs such as SNAP, TANF, or WIC.

To qualify for each payment, Scholars must complete at least one check-in with their Success Coach and attend at least one Catto workshop every month. Your participation is tracked through Starfish as kudos, so be sure to follow the instructions provided in your workshop to ensure you receive credit.

The chart below provides an estimate of when payments should be processed:

NOTE: The Scholarship can only process payments while you are enrolled in courses. Therefore, you will not qualify for the September or January payment unless you are taking at least one 15-week course.

Books & Course Materials

The Scholarship provides a $500 bookstore credit every Fall and Spring semester, $150 for winter terms, and $250 for each registered summer session. Scholars should purchase required course materials first and any remaining funds can be used for basic supplies.

If you purchase items out of pocket or use the wrong bookstore credit, you can get reimbursed by completing the 2025-2026 Catto Reimbursement Form and uploading your receipt. We can only reimburse you for required course materials that would normally qualify for the Catto bookstore credit.

The Catto bookstore credit is set up directly with the Controller’s office and is not added to the financial aid package so it will not appear in the bookstore credit section on the Student tab of MyCCP. To check your available credit you can register an account or checkout as a guest on the bookstore website. Feel free to utilize the step-by-step Catto Bookstore Credit Instructions and review the list below for eligible/ineligible items.

Maintaining Eligibility

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, requires the College to have published standards for measuring academic progress towards earning a degree. There are also specific requirements for satisfactory academic progress (SAP) to determine if you can continue receiving financial aid. Both policies measure progress using qualitative (GPA) and quantitative (percentage of earned versus attempted credits) measurements. Falling below either of these standards could result in academic probation, financial aid warning, or even suspension of financial aid funding. If financial aid eligibility has been suspended, Scholars must submit a 2025-2026 Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal by the established deadline and receive an approval to remain eligible for the Catto Scholarship.

To remain in the Scholarship program, Scholars must stay on track to finish their program within the maximum time allowed. Annual reviews check for progress, and you must meet the following benchmarks:

1. 20 credits by the end of the first year with a 2.00 GPA
2. 42 credits by the end of the second year with a 2.00 GPA
3. Graduation by the end of the third year with a 2.00 GPA

Scholars who do not meet these requirements can submit a self-advocacy petition to the Catto Evaluation Committee. Each petition is reviewed individually and may result in additional conditions to stay in the program. In some cases, this could include enrolling in a secondary certificate program if it is determine that the primary degree cannot be completed within the time limit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Will the Scholarship cover both a degree & certificate?

The Scholarship can support you for up to three years toward the completion of an Associate’s degree. You may remain in the program if you graduate from a Certificate program, however, we cannot financially support a Certificate if you have already graduated with an Associate’s degree.

• What if I can’t finish my degree within three years?

The Scholarship cannot continue financial support if you reach a point where you won’t be able to graduate within three years of joining the program. You may be able to extend support by adding an academic Certificate program as a secondary major if it can be completed along the way.

• Does the Scholarship cover non-credit courses?

The Scholarship can only pay for courses that lead to a certificate or degree program eligible for financial aid. The list of eligible programs is located here: Degree and Certificate Programs | Community College of Philadelphia (ccp.edu)

• Does the Scholarship cover membership fees for academic or professional associations?

The Catto Scholarship does not currently pay for membership or licensing fees.

• Will I get monthly direct payments all year?

Scholars are only eligible for monthly basic needs payments while actively enrolled in courses. Scholars who do not take summer courses will not receive any payments in May, June, July, or August.

• How are the monthly basic needs payments distributed?

These payments are processed the same way you receive any refund from the College. The default method is to mail a check to your home address. You can also sign up for direct deposit by logging into MyCCP, navigating to the Student Services section, and then opening the Financial Services menu to reveal the “Direct Deposit Authorization Form – New/Change/Cancel”.

• Am I allowed to withdraw from any classes?

Withdrawals do not affect your GPA calculation, but they do count as attempted credits for financial aid purposes. They also reduce the number of credits earned each semester and may result in a balance for the semester depending on when they are processed. You won’t automatically lose scholarship eligibility due to a course withdrawal, but it is important that you consult with your Success Coach, Academic Advising, and Financial Aid for a full picture of how it would impact you.

• How do summer and winter courses affect the scholarship?

Summer and winter terms are not required, but they do present an opportunity to accumulate more credits. Please be mindful that these terms are highly accelerated, though, so it is best to consult with your Success Coach and Academic Advising to make sure they are a good fit for you.

• What happens if I fail a course?

Most financial aid sources, including the Catto Scholarship, will pay for repeated attempts of a failed course.

• Am I still eligible for the Scholarship if I received a notice that I am on financial aid warning?

The College reviews satisfactory academic progress at the end of every term. If the overall GPA or the percentage of earned versus total attempted credits are below the published standards, you may be placed on financial aid warning. You must increase both the GPA and Credit completion by the end of the term or your eligibility will be suspended. There is an appeal process to remain eligible for financial aid if you are suspended.

• Are dual enrollment or transfer courses factored into the evaluation process?

Dual enrollment and transfer credits may help you graduate sooner, but the evaluation process will only consider credits earned while you were in the scholarship.

• Do developmental (pass/fail pre-college level) courses factor into the evaluation process?

Yes! Passed developmental courses do count toward the 20 credits required in year one and 42 credits required in year two. Depending on how many you have to complete, you still want to consult with Academic Advising to map out a path to graduate within the three-year time limit.

• What if I have an extenuating circumstance?

We realize that life happens, and unexpected circumstances sometimes arise. The Scholarship is designed for full-time enrollment in Fall and Spring to ensure you are able to graduate with a credential within a certain time frame. Talk to your Success Coach as soon as possible if there is anything getting in the way of you maintaining full-time enrollment.

• How can I make an appointment with my Success Coach and see the Workshop Calendar?

You can make an appointment with your Success Coach, or other Catto staff, by visiting the Catto Scholar Canvas Page on MyCCP. There you can also review the Catto Workshop and Tutoring Calendar, as well as your course syllabus and grades.