Make Catholic education even more affordable

Each school in the Archdiocese sets its own tuition, but we’ve put together a comprehensive portfolio of need-based and merit-based opportunities available to existing or incoming AOPS students.

These programs, in addition to offers available from individual schools, can drastically reduce tuition costs.

 
  • Tuition Assistance Program

    AOPS schools offer needs-based assistance.

    Aid for the 2020-2021 school year will be processed by FACTS Grant and Aid. The application will open on October 1.

    All need-based awards will be contingent on reception of the most recent tax return.

    Income guidelines for EITC/OSTC programs are as follows:

    • Household income: $90,000
    • One dependent: $105,842
    • Two dependents: $121,684
    • Three dependents: $137,526
    • Add $15,842 for each additional dependent

    Apply Now Tuition Assistance Program External Link Clicks - Needs-Based

  • Educational Improvement Tax Credit

    The EITC grant allows businesses to contribute to education and receive a tax credit for their contributions. These funds are available to schools when businesses register with the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development for tax credits under this program.

    In order to receive the EITC grant, students must be:

    • elementary or high school-aged
    • a resident of Pennsylvania and enrolled in a Pennsylvania school
    • a member of a household with an annual household income no more than $90,000 (except that an additional income allowance of $15,842 is permitted for the student and for each other dependent as defined by the IRS living within the same household)

    For more information about EITC availability, contact the administration of the AOPS school you plan to attend.

  • Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit

    The OSTC provides tax credits to eligible businesses contributing to tuition assistance in the form of scholarships.

    In order to receive an OSTC grant, students must:

    • live within the attendance boundaries of a low-achieving school as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
    • be a member of a household with an annual household income of no more than $90,000 (plus $15,842 for each dependent member of the household)

    List of 19-20 Low Achieving Schools: 2019-2020 List of Low Achieving Schools

    For more information about OSTC availability, contact the administration of the AOPS school you plan to attend.

  • Charles Ellis Trust for Girls

    The Charles Ellis Trust for Girls helps young women in Philadelphia excel in high school and be prepared for post-secondary success.

    To be eligible for an Ellis Trust, applicants must:

    • reside in Philadelphia
    • live in a household where one or both parents are physically disabled or mentally absent. Married guardians (aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings) must still meet the income guidelines.
    • be currently enrolled in either 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade (including the summer before 9th grade)
    • have at least a C average in major school subjects
    • continue to make academic progress toward timely graduation

    Additionally, families of applicants must:

    • meet the income eligibility requirements for reduced-price lunch under the National School Lunch Program
    • prove the applicant’s dependency status (applicant’s name must appear on tax returns or DPA documents)
    • not own property other than their primary house

     

    2020-21 Ellis Application will be available January 1, 2020. The application will close March 15, 2020.

    Learn More Charles Ellis Trust for Girls External Link Clicks - Needs-Based

  • Archbishop's Grant for Archdiocesan Employees

    This Archbishop’s Grant is for full-time Employees of the Archdiocese who work in a parish, school, or AOP setting. Grants apply to high school tuition and grant recipients may only use the grant at one AOPS high school.

    Employees must apply for the grant each year.

    We will award grants based on the number of applicants and the calculated need of each applicant so award amounts may vary. All award amounts will be the totality of the grant and not an amount awarded per child.

    Process

    • Application opens October 1, 2019
    • Submit the Archbishop’s Grant Application on or before December 31, 2019. We will not accept applications after December 31.
    • Submit a tuition assistance application through FACTS Grant and Aid on or before December 31, 2019, (this includes uploading a copy of your 2018 tax return). Click here to apply for FACTS.

    We will communicate awards to all who complete the above steps on or before March 1, 2020.

    Once we confirm attendance of each grant recipient at the designated school (September of each year), we will send the award amount to the designated school.

    Click below for 2020-21 Application

     

     

    Apply Now Archbishop's Grant for Archdiocesan Employees External Link Clicks - Needs-Based

  • Bishop Tuition Transfer Grant

    The Office of Catholic Education  is happy to announce a new Bishop’s Tuition Transfer Grant program now available to any public, private or charter school student who transfers into a participating school (see full list below).

    Upon acceptance, eligible students entering grades 2 through 7 will receive $1,500 in total tuition grants.  This grant is paid over two years – $1,000 toward their tuition in year one and $500 toward their second year tuition.

    The following conditions must be met to be considered for this award:

    • Parents must complete and submit the financial aid application (FACTS) by the specified deadline. (March 15)
    • Students who accept the Bishop Tuition Transfer Grant must maintain attendance through the first trimester.

    To apply for this grant, please contact one of the following schools:

High school students with exceptional academic performance and personal character are invited to apply to these scholarship programs.

  • Maguire Scholars Program

    The Maguire Foundation, in partnership with Faith in the Future Foundation, awards $3,000 per-year scholarships to at least six students in each of the 18 qualifying Philadelphia-area Catholic high schools. The current application is specific to 8th graders entering the high school Class of 2024.

    The scholarship is renewable for each of the four years of high school, given that the Maguire Scholar maintains standards consistent with the qualifications listed below.

    To receive a scholarship, a student must fulfill the following criteria for selection:

    Financial Need: Candidates must have a demonstrated financial need of at least $3,000 as determined by FACTS Grant and Aid (https://online.factsmgt.com/aid). The financial aid application is available October 1.

    Academic Ability:  Applicants must have a cumulative 85 average utilizing 7th grade final grades (in some cases, we may request 8th grade first trimester grades or equivalent). Additionally, a Total Score-National Percentile (NP) of 60% on the 7th grade TerraNova or equivalent is required.

    Personal Growth and Development: Applicants must have minimal absence and lateness at the time of application. In addition, he/she must show at least “Satisfactory” on his/her report card in “personal development.”

    Commitment to Community Service and Extracurricular Activity: Applicants should actively participate in at least one ongoing community service activity and at least one extracurricular activity.

    High School Matriculation: Applicants must apply and, after a record review, be accepted to an Archdiocesan High School (http://www.aopcatholicschools.org/apply) or Mercy Career and Technical High School (https://www.mercycte.org/admissions).

    In order to be considered you must first create an account and apply to the school(s) of your choice. The Maguire application can be found on your applicant checklist in your portal. To access the links to apply please click below. 

    The application will close December 15, 2019

    Apply Now Maguire Scholars Program External Link Clicks - Merit-Based

  • Neumann Scholarship

    The Neumann Scholarship program identifies academically talented 8th grade students through an independently administered competitive examination. Students will receive a four-year scholarship to the Archdiocesan high school of their choice.

    Each year, more than 900 eligible students from the parish/regional elementary schools in five counties compete for this scholarship.

    Elementary school principals invite qualified students to sit for the Neumann Scholar test. Students must meet the following criteria:

    • attended a parish/regional elementary school for the entire 7th grade academic year
    • currently attends an AOP parish/regional school
    • achieved a National Percentile (NP) Total Score of 90 or above OR a Cognitive Skills Index (CSI) of 120 or above in the 7th grade Terra Nova Test
    • achieved a final general average of 92.0 or higher in the final marking period of 7th grade
    • has a strong desire to attend an AOPS high school
    • completed the application process by the stated deadline
    • submitted an essay to elementary school principal by the stated deadline

    To learn more about this program, contact your school administrator.

    Class of 2020 Neumann Scholars: Announced December 2019

     

  • Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Awards

    The Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Award is a four-year tuition grant presented to 8th grade students who best demonstrate the value of a Catholic education by striving to achieve their full academic potential. The four-year grant covers 40% of the student’s tuition at one of the 17 AOPS high schools or Mercy Career and Technical High School. An annual review by the high school president determines renewal of the Connelly Foundation’s yearly commitment to each student.

    Scholarships are only awarded to students currently attending Philadelphia parish/regional Catholic elementary schools.

    To learn more about this program, contact your school administrator.

  • Howley Family Foundation Scholarship

    The Howley Family Foundation Scholarship awards $3,200 annually to the recipient, a total of $12,800 over four years. The recipient must carry at least a 3.0 (equivalent of an 85 or better) average and be involved in a minimum of one extra-curricular activity. Recipients will be determined by this application, their application to the school of their choice and to their financial need based on their FACTS Grant and Aid application (www.factsmgt.com).

    Criteria:

    • The criteria for academic excellence requires at least a cumulative 85 average utilizing the final grades of the 7th grade.
    • A final conduct average of 85 or above utilizing the final grades of the 7th grade.
    • Total Score-National Percentile (NP) of 70 on the Seventh Grade TerraNova test (or the equivalent) is required.
    Exceptions will be made, by mutual assessment, on a case-by-case basis.
    • The recipient of a Howley Scholarship must have demonstrated financial need of at least $5,000. This financial need
    must be supported by the family’s application submitted to FACTS Grant and Aid.
    • Minimal absences and lateness.
    • Extracurricular participation and community service participation will be considered favorably to a candidate’s selection.

    Please do not directly contact Howley Family Foundation. All questions should be directed to the Office of Catholic Education at 215-587-5664.

    Scholarships are available at the following AOPS schools:

    Roman Catholic

    John W. Hallahan

    Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls

    Bonner & Prendergast High School

    Bishop McDevitt

    SS. John Neumann – Maria Goretti HS

    West Catholic Prep

    Mercy Career & Technical

    The application will close December 15, 2019

    Apply Now Howley Family Foundation Scholarship External Link Clicks - Merit-Based

  • St. Thomas More Alumni Association Scholarships

    To be considered for this award, students must:

    • be related to, or recommended by, an STM alumnus
    • plan to attend an AOPS high school for the next academic year
    • be active in school, sports, or church activities
    • have a good academic record
    • be involved in community service
    • Apply before 12/31/2019

    Learn More St. Thomas More Alumni Association Scholarships External Link Clicks - Merit-Based

  • Monsignor John Mitchell Memorial Scholarship Fund

    The Monsignor John Mitchell Memorial Scholarship Fund supports Catholic African American students with exceptional academic ability who are in need of financial assistance. Scholarship(s) are awarded annually based upon the determination of the selection committee.

    For this scholarship, students must be:

    • Catholic and African American
    • in good academic standing with at least a cumulative B average at the time of the scholarship award
    • eligible for financial assistance as determined by a completed FACTS Grant and Aid application (online)
    • committed to serving his/her community
    • interested in or currently attending an AOPS high school

    2020-21 Application will be available by March 2020

    Learn More Monsignor John Mitchell Memorial Scholarship Fund External Link Clicks - Merit-Based

Start your child’s academic adventure

Many AOPS schools offer financial aid above and beyond the programs listed here. To learn more, contact your local AOPS school today.

 

 

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