Financial Aid Helps Families Choose Catholic Education
 

Various forms of financial aid are available to families who need support to fund their children’s education in Diocese of Scranton Catholic schools.

“Help is provided to those who need it,” said James Quinn, Diocesan Secretary for Financial Services. “We recognize that some families cannot afford the full cost of tuition, but we don’t want that to deter them from providing a Catholic education for their children.”

Financial support is provided in various ways:

·         Financial aid is available through the schools. In 2006-07, more than $1 million was provided by the schools to families.

·         The Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation provides tuition assistance awards. These funds come from corporate donations through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. For the 2007-08 school year, students will receive more than $903,000 in financial aid from the Scholarship Foundation. Since 2002, nearly $6 million has been provided by the Foundation.

·         Parishes are contributing $15,162,239 for the upcoming school year. The generosity of parishioners makes this possible. These funds support the operating expenses of the schools, enable the schools to offer financial aid, and help to keep tuition at a reasonable level. Tuition in the Diocese of Scranton funds only about half of the actual cost to educate each student, and tuition rates here are still below the national average for Catholic schools.

·         The Diocesan Annual Appeal provides $120,000 in financial assistance through the Bishop McCormick Scholarship Program. Donations to the Appeal fund this program.

·         An additional means of financial assistance for those with the most financial need goes into effect for the coming year. An automatic scholarship of $200 per elementary student and $400 per high school student will be awarded to families who are eligible under the same income guidelines established by the federal government for the free and reduced lunch program.

Individuals, businesses and organizations can learn about opportunities to support Catholic education by contacting Kevin Haggerty, advancement director for Catholic schools, at 207-2275 or 877-5968.

Information on the Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation can be obtained by calling Ernest Pappa at 207-2250.