Schools benefit from Annual Appeal and Scholarship Foundation
 

Penn Security Bank & Trust Company makes a $100,000 contribution to the Scholarship Foundation. From left: Ernest Pappa, Scholarship Foundation director; Bishop Martino; and Peter Moylan, retired executive vice president of Penn Security

Diocesan Catholic schools benefit financially from two major sources other than tuition and fundraising. Fifteen percent of funds raised by the Diocesan Annual Appeal are allocated for Diocesan schools. For example, $564,765 from the 2006 Appeal was given to the schools. An additional $120,000 is distributed on a need basis to families who qualify for financial assistance through the Bishop McCormick Scholarship Fund.

The Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation offers tuition assistance to families through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC), sponsored by the business community in each school system.

For the current academic year, 1,174 students received tuition awards, totaling $940,767, including 113 Pre-K awards amounting to $77,617.

The Scholarship Foundation accepts a $49,222 gift from Frontier Communications for the Holy Redeemer System. From left: Jim Redington, principal of Holy Redeemer High School, Wilkes-Barre; James Jones, principal of Good Shepherd Academy, Kingston; Susan Dennen, Holy Redeemer System director;  Ernest Pappa, Scholarship Foundation director; Lisa Mazzatesta and Don Carroll, Frontier Communications; and Mary Jane Kozick, principal of Gate of Heaven School, Dallas.

Commenting on the Scholarship Foundation, Ernest Pappa, director of development for the Diocese, said: “We exist to help families with their tuition needs, but without donations from businesses in the Diocese, this help would not be possible. On behalf of the many families who have been offered awards this year, I offer my deepest gratitude for every donation to our Foundation through the EITC program.”

Though contributions are still being received, at this time $800,000 will be available for distribution for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Applications are now available in all Diocesan schools. K-12 scholarships will be awarded to eligible families who will be ranked by need in each school. Amounts will vary by school since donors select specific schools for their donations. Pr-K scholarships will also be available.

Once a donation is given to the Scholarship Foundation, the donor company receives a 75%, 90% or 100% tax credit against Pennsylvania taxes, depending on the type and length of their participation. Tax credits have been utilized for the current state fiscal year; new tax credits will be available on July 1, 2008. Companies are urged to apply on that date by fax or e-mail. Further information is available on the Diocesan website at www.dioceseofscranton.org  or on the state website at www.newpa.com.

Information on applying for a grant or corporate donations is also available by calling the Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation at 570-207-2250.