The Patrick J. Eiding Scholarship
College Scholarships for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)
SAGE Scholars is honored to recognize visionary leaders who have devoted their lives to helping make educational access and affordability a priority. We value stewardship that works within and for the community to elevate education as a priority for the next generation. That priority, however, comes with an investment—one that SAGE Scholars continues working towards. This year, our Educational Foundation is proud to dedicate one $5,000 and two $1,000 Legend Scholarships, in the name of Patrick J. Eiding, to PFT members with students in either their senior year of high school or currently attending college.
Patrick J. Eiding has been a leader in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania’s labor movement and is active in many civic, charitable, and government affairs. As a leader, his ability to understand the unique needs of Union members and families helped him leave an enduring and indelible legacy. At the end of 2022, Eiding retired after serving over 20 years as President of the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO. Known as a consensus builder, Eiding has risen through the ranks of leadership throughout his career and has helped the PFT union not only grow but flourish. Currently, he serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the Philadelphia Building Trades Council, as a member of the Executive Council of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, and sits on the General Board of the National AFL-CIO representing Central Labor Councils in the Northeast.
We at SAGE Scholars have a long-standing commitment to supporting teachers and other educational positions. It is our honor to offer the Patrick J. Eiding Scholarship to PFT’s 13,000 dedicated members—the teachers, librarians, school nurses, counselors, psychologists and social workers, secretaries, paraprofessionals, classroom assistants, non-teaching assistants, supportive services assistants, Head Start/Comprehensive Early Learning Center and Bright Futures teachers and staff, food service managers and professional and technical employees working in Philadelphia Public Schools—who are committed to providing Philadelphia youth with the highest quality education possible. The kind of education that Eiding and SAGE Scholars have continually championed: one with a commitment to growth and thriving over the course of earning a degree.
SAGE Scholars and the PFT advocate for an education that reduces class sizes, expands early childhood education, uses proven education programs, makes schools safe and orderly, and offers resources and support for teachers, staff, and students. To ensure that students receive the support they need to make this education a reality, the Patrick J. Eiding Scholarships are open to Union members with seniors in high school or students currently enrolled in college.
The scholarship submission is open from March 15th, 2023, and will close on May 15th, 2023. All applicants will be notified of the outcome on June 1st, 2023.
Scholarship Guidelines
- This scholarship is open to the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Union members with seniors in high school or students currently enrolled in college.
- To be eligible for the Patrick J. Eiding Scholarship, PFT members must provide their students proof of enrollment or intent to matriculate at a college or university by May 23rd, 2023. Acceptable forms of documentation consist of a college application receipt, acceptance letter, proof of deposit on tuition or student housing, enrollment verification letter, student’s college ID, or college transcript.
