Our Programs

OUR 
PROGRAMS

Programs and Services

We offer services for companies, groups and individuals



Scholarships and Grants 

Last Dollar Grants
NEED’s flagship program awards nearly one million dollars a year to eligible students to fill the gaps when all local, state, and federal college funding sources have been exhausted. This unmet need is often the reason students cannot afford to attend college. Many of the students receiving “Last Dollar Grants” are African American, first-generational, low income, at-risk students.


Adopt-A-Student Program
Students who apply for assistance from NEED may be selected into the "Adopt-A-Student" program. Through this program, a donor selects or asks NEED to select an individual which meet their set criteria. The donor then provides an annual grant of $1,000 for each year the student completes college. In return, NEED keeps the donor abreast of the student's progress and provides opportunities for mentoring and other interaction if the donor requests it. There is no separate application for this program and students cannot request enrollment into it. Students are notified by NEED if they are selected to be enrolled in the program. These grants may be either need based or merit based.


NEED Leadership Scholarship
Each year NEED awards five $5,000 Leadership Scholarships to deserving African American graduating high school seniors. The scholarships will be paid out over four years in annual disbursements of $1,250. Students interested in applying for a scholarship can fill out an application. The 2018 application will be posted through (date.) New applicants must fill out a general form and cannot select a specific scholarship to apply for. Both printable and online versions of the application are accepted.


NEED Church Matching Scholarship
This program enables churches to:
Get more for their money
NEED will provide a $0.50 match for every $1.00 awarded by a church scholarship
Up to $1,000 in matching funds per student
Job 34:11: "For He repays man according to his work, and makes man to find a reward according to his way."
For questions, additional information, or if you are interested in participating in this program, please contact Rhonda Brooks at 412.566.2760


Spartan Spirit Scholarship
On behalf of Schenley High School Alumni, Kristin Young ('98) sponsors the Spartan Spirit Scholarship Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to provide an award to a deserving current year high school graduate. In the scholarship's inaugural year, the recipient must be a resident of the Hill District area or attend a Pittsburgh Public School that reflects the spirit of the former Schenley High School. We encourage our donors and the alumni of Schenley High School to donate to this worthy cause.


Ola Jackson and Maxine Giles Scholarship
The Ola Jackson and Maxine Giles Scholarship is awarded to a high school student mother, who will graduate from high school and go to pursue higher education, thereby breaking the cycle of underachievement. It is not too late to fulfill our dreams. Please support our mothers on their pathway to success and give to the Ola Jackson and Maxine Giles Scholarship Fund. 

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Access to College and Career Education (ACE)

ACE & EVENTS DATA

NEED ACE advisors work with high school and middle school students to help them learn about career options, explore and apply to postsecondary school, prepare for admission tests, research and apply for scholarships, and much more. This program acts in a role as a valuable supplement to the hard work of guidance counselors, principals, and administrators.  
The ACE Program offers assistance in the following areas:
• Career Exploration
• Essay Help
• Résumé building
• Test Preparation
• School Search
• Scholarships
• Admissions
• Advice

NEED advisors are located in the following schools:
• Penn Hills High School
• Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship (middle school students)
• Propel Andrews Street
• Propel Braddock Hills
• Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School
• West Mifflin Area High School
• Woodland Hills Jr./Sr. High School

Students outside of these school districts in need of advisement can call the NEED office at to schedule an appointment to come into the office and meet with an advisor.




The Elizabeth Ann Seton Scholarship Program Supports NEED

The Elizabeth Ann Seton Scholarship Program builds on the legacy of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill to provide access to higher education to all students. Most students who are eligible for this program will have full tuition paid through federal, state and Seton Hill scholarships and grants.


 To be considered for this program, a student must be: a Pennsylvania resident, a 2021 high school graduate, eligible for the federal Pell Grant, and accepted to Seton Hill University.

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BABA Scholars 
Fathers Engagement Services
BABA Scholars Flyer
MISSION: 
To engage fathers in preparing themselves and their children for college and higher education.

GOALS:

1. To create a fathers’ learning circle that informs, supports and transfers knowledge necessary for college and higher education entry and matriculation.

2. To serve as educational advocates for fathers, their children and families in their dreams and pursuit of college and higher education.
African American Male Mentoring Initiative (AAMMI)

The African American Male Mentoring Initiative (AAMMI), funded by the Heinz Endowments, provides mentoring to young males both one-on-one and on a group basis. The mission of NEED’s AAMMI program is to empower at-risk youth in our community to make positive life choices that enable them to maximize their personal potential.

NEED mentors over 100 African American males per year through this program. Sessions include lessons in black history, discussion on social and economic issues, and mentoring on how to succeed as a minority in society. A high percentage of students in this program matriculate to post-secondary education; the most recent cohort of seniors boasted a 100% graduation rate and all students are pursuing college.

HBCU Tour


Every spring, NEED embarks on the Annual Historically Black College and University Tour with a select group of students. The tour visits over a dozen HBCUs, historical landmarks, and museums throughout the Eastern and Southern United States. This is an opportunity for high school sophomores and juniors to experience campus life and see the value of education. The tour is an eye-opening experience that provides a glimpse of the possibilities in higher education beyond their hometowns.  

The overall objective of the tour is to give future NEED recipients access to black culture as it exists within prominent black institutions and organizations. This tour is designed to encourage, support, and motivate students to pursue HBCU post-secondary education. Beyond seeing the campuses and historical sites, this is a chance for students to experience “living on their own” away from home and get a taste of what living in an out of state college dorm is like.

Highlights of our 14th Annual HBCU Tour coming soon. 

Stay tuned for a list of the colleges and universities to be visited for the 15th Annual HBCU Tour.
 
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM)
The STEAM program aims to increase the number of African American females in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) fields by generating enthusiasm through hands-on activities and field trips.  

Research shows that the number of jobs in STEAM fields is rapidly growing and that people in these fields generally earn higher wages than their counterparts in other careers. However, a study by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics showed that of all employed scientists/engineers, only 2% were black females. Our goal is to help reverse this trend and educate our young women on the benefits of pursuing STEM careers. 

Sessions are held every week and taught by our experienced STEAM instructors. Some of the past activities have included:
• Computer programming
• Chemistry experiments
• Building scale models
• Simulated forensics
• Visits to local universities and schools of science
• Field trips to Carnegie Science Center and local businesses
Any interested student should fill out an application (Coming Soon.) Further questions can be directed at our STEAM Coordinator
Calculating Kids (part of STEAM)

Starting this upcoming school year, we will be launching our “Calculating Kids” after-school program, which will be available to seventh and eighth grade students. The program will focus on preparing students for college-level math courses at an early age, generating interest in students to pursue math-related career fields, and teaching students how to excel at standardized testing.

Our goal is to increase students’ performance in high school math courses, standardized tests, and SATs so that they will have an opportunity to attend college. By starting the college preparatory process in middle school, students will be ahead of the curve in high school math courses and have a higher chance of qualifying for advanced or AP courses. Because colleges look at students’ grades starting in high school, we must prepare them for success before they have a chance to fall behind.

Sessions will be held after-school, twice per week, at locations to be announced later. Students interested can fill out an application for the program here (link.) Further details and dates will be available as the school year approaches.  


Workforce Diversity Program

NEED has a talent pool of the best and brightest college-going youth from this region. In order to increase the chance of retaining these young people in the region, NEED actively partners with local companies and corporations to provide internships for NEED recipients both pre and post-graduation.  

NEED hosts a Workforce Diversity Fair every winter, where students are invited to meet representatives from local businesses to discuss career options and apply for internships. A date for the fair will be listed on the website during the school year. In addition, a running list of open internships around the community is listed below:

Seeds for PEACE Urban Gardening Project
The summer of 2019 marked the inauguration of an urban gardening project that pairs Pittsburgh area students with community leaders and veterans to beautify urban spaces throughout the city. Students are responsible for the planting, maintenance, and harvesting of gardens. Produce harvested is given to the community as students better themselves and the areas they live in.



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