In its sixth year, the James Hughes Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to 67 students from Philadelphia attending one of the 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

For the first time, the scholarship amount has been raised per student from $1,000 to $1,500.

Students receiving the scholarship must have attended a high school within the School District of Philadelphia and show financial need. Friends and family created the scholarship in memory of the late James A. Hughes, a respected leader in his community and a founding member of the State System’s Board of Governors.

Funds for the scholarship are raised every year through the James Hughes Memorial Scholarship Fund Golf Classic.

“We are very proud to have this scholarship named in honor of my father,” said state Senator Vincent J. Hughes, son of James Hughes and member of the State System’s Board of Governors. “He touched the lives of so many in a positive way while he was alive. It is comforting to know that this legacy continues through this scholarship.”

With more than 101,000 students, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. More than 375,000 System alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The System also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Kittanning, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg. The regional centers are part of the Educational Resources Group, which is responsible for coordinating statewide programming.