Tuition Assistance
Star Foundation
OLC will award $95,000 in tuition assistance in 2009-10. Working through the Diocese of Erie Star Foundation, these awards help families provide their children with a Catholic education. The awards are based strictly on financial need and cover a broad range of family size and household income. While most scholarships do not cover the entire cost of tuition, they do help make tuition more affordable for many families.
To apply for a STAR Foundation scholarship or a secondary school scholarship for a high-school child, simply fill out the Bishop’s Tuition Assistance Application Form. Some documentation is required. All applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2010 for the following school year. (For families applying for scholarships for high school as well as elementary school, the deadline is March 1, 2010.)
FAQ's about STAR scholarships
What is the STAR Foundation?
The STAR Foundation was established by the Catholic Diocese of Erie as a separate 501©(3) non-profit scholarship organization to provide financial aid to qualified students who wish to attend Catholic elementary or secondary schools.
How much money is available?
Local businesses donated more than $93,000 to the STAR Foundation for preschool and elementary students at Our Lady’s Christian School for the 2009-10 school year. The amount awarded per family depends on the number of families applying for funds.
Who gets scholarships?
More than 90 familes including 110 OLC students received STAR tuition assistance for the 2008-09 school year. Awards averaged $1,325 per family.
Will I qualify?
Income eligibility standards have been established by the state of Pennsylvania as follows:
| Household Size | Maximum Income |
|---|---|
| 2 | $50,000 |
| 3 | $60,000 |
| 4 | $70,000 |
| 5 | $80,000 |
| 6 | $90,000 |
| 7 | $100,000 |
| 8 | $110,000 |
How do I apply?
Every OLC family receives an application form in January or you can download a form.
Is there a deadline?
Yes, for families with children in preschool through eighth grade, the deadline for applications is March 31, 2010 for the following school year. For families with high-school-age children, the deadline is March 1. If you are applying for scholarships for both high-schoolers and younger children, the deadline is March 1, 2010.
Is documentation required?
Along with pertinent financial questions, each family is asked to include proof of household income in the form of all Commonwealth of Pennsylvania tax returns (Form PA-40, its equivalent) filed by the members of the household for the most recently completed calendar year. ALL INFORMATION SHALL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL.
How are scholarships awarded?
- Scholarships are awarded on a non-discriminatory basis and will not exceed the amount of tuition and fees charged.
- Scholarships are not awarded to students for athletic purposes.
- Scholarship Application Forms will be ranked in priority according to the level of financial need of the student, in relation to the amount of tuition charged by the school. Those most in need of financial assistance will receive first priority in the awarding of scholarships.
Children's Scholarship Fund of Pa. (Preschool)
Preschool tuition assistance is also available through the Children's Scholarship Fund of Pa. Income guidelines are the same as the Star Foundation guidelines.
You can apply online or print an application form by visiting the Children's Scholarship Fund of Pa. website here.
For more information about tuition assistance, please contact Jennie Hagerty, Director of Advancement, at 838-0908.