13 Students Receive Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Scholarships – WJBR.com
For the 2025-2026 academic year, 13 students have received scholarships from the Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund Scholarship Program. More than 180 high school seniors applied, the most in the program’s history. Nearly 63% of applicants are first-generation college students, according to a Philadelphia.Today report.
Named after the legendary Philadelphia 76ers player and Overbrook native Wilt Chamberlain, the fund offers these scholarships to support high school students planning to pursue higher education degrees at two- or four-year colleges and universities. Scholarship awards are granted based on academic achievement, test scores, community service, extracurricular activities, and financial needs.
Eligible applicants must reside in one of the following counties: Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, or Montgomery in Pennsylvania, or Burlington, Camden, or Gloucester in New Jersey.
Scholarship awards can be up to $2,500 for community colleges or vocational schools and up to $5,000 annually for four-year colleges and universities.
In addition to financial support, the scholarship program offers mentorship to help students transition from high school to college.
In 2023, Malachi Neal, a junior at the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences, received the scholarship. He is majoring in philosophy, politics, and economics with a concentration in choice and behavior. Neal told The Philadelphia Tribune that receiving the scholarship was life-changing for him.
“College nowadays costs so much,” Neal said. “This scholarship has made it a little easier to get through school and has lessened the financial burden on me and my family. I’m so grateful to the Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund for giving me this opportunity. This program has opened my eyes to the many career paths available. There are so many opportunities out there to explore and take advantage of.”
Learn more about the Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund Scholarship Program and how to apply online.
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