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February 2, 2005
 Dear Parents,
The following is an explanation of the Tuition Assistance Programs available to students in Catholic Schools. There are two sources of money and only one application.
| First: |
Bishop’s Education Fund—This is for Catholic students in grades K--12 that are attending eligible schools. This form MUST be signed by the Pastor. (It may be signed before the form is completed.) |
| Second: |
Scholastic Opportunity Scholarship Program—This is for any Pre-K—12 student attending any Catholic School in the state of PA. This form does not have to be signed. |
Need Assessment through Private School Aid Service (PSAS)
All parents applying to either the Bishop’s Education Fund or the Scholastic Opportunity Scholarship Fund must have their need assessed by Private School Aid Service (PSAS), a company from Rocky River, Ohio which specializes in evaluating need for families attending private elementary and secondary schools. Parents submit a copy of their federal tax return (and state tax return if applying to SOS), a completed 2005-06 “Student Aid Form” (with their pastor’s signature if applying to BEF), and a $19 administrative fee. “Student Aid Forms” are due to PSAS no later than March 15, 2005. Incomplete forms will be returned. The signed “Student Aid Form” must be sent directly to PSAS as indicated in the instructions on the form itself.
One Application
As the above descriptions indicate, some students will be eligible for both programs and others only eligible for SOS. However, the same application is used to assess student need with the applicant indicating to which program or programs application is being made. In addition, only one application per family is necessary even though a family might have children at the elementary and secondary levels.
Due Date
The completed PSAS application form with the appropriate fee along with the pastor signature (if applying to BEF) must be received by PSAS no later than March 15, 2005. Any forms received after this date will not be reviewed. Incomplete forms will be returned.
Notification of Awards
All parents who applied will receive a letter directly from the diocese. The school will also be sent a report of all applicants with their grant amounts.
Pastor Signature (for BEF only)
Parents must have their pastor sign their “Student Aid Form” (verifying that they are Catholic) prior to sending it for evaluation. As the form notes, parents may ask their pastor to sign a partially completed form that does not contain their financial information. A pastor’s signature only confirms that the family is indeed Catholic based on the following canonical criteria: a) the child is baptized; b) the family is registered in the parish; and c) the family attends Mass regularly and uses the parish envelope system. Signing the form does not commit a parish to any financial obligation for aid.
Fee
Parents will be asked to pay PSAS directly for this service. The fee for the 2005-2006 application will be $19 per family. Please be advised, however, that PSAS needs a check to accompany the form or it will not be processed. This is the standard procedure for need assessment services.
Photocopies
Photocopied forms will not be accepted by PSAS.
Who Should Or May Apply to the Bishop’s Education Fund
Once again, we cannot give any rules of thumb of who should or should not apply based on income since the awards depend on a number of factors (i.e. family income, the age of the parents, tuition rates, need of other families, the amount of money available to distribute, etc.). Any Catholic family attending an eligible school may apply and those who do so will be evaluated by PSAS.
Who should or may apply to the Scholastic Opportunity Scholarship Fund
There are clear guidelines noted on the form entitled “Educational Improvement Tax Credit Scholarship Guidelines/Instructions.” Any student residing in Pennsylvania coming from a family that meets the income guidelines may apply. Although application to the fund does not guarantee an award will be made, in the first three years of the program each eligible student received a grant of at least $100. We hope to award each eligible applicant a grant again this year but awards will depend upon the number of applicants and the actual amount of funds available to distribute.
At this point in time, we do not have a tuition projection. Realistically, there will be an increase. Please take advantage of these funds. Each year is evaluated on the information that you submit. Give it a try. Applications are available in the school office.
May our Provident God bestow His blessing of wisdom upon you.
Gratefully,
Sister John Ann
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