Tuition Assistance
Catholic schools unlock the intellectual potential of young people they serve while forming them for a personal encounter with their faith. Notable benefits of a Catholic School:
- Overall academic achievement is higher
- Achievement gap smaller than in public schools
- The more disadvantaged the child, the greater his/her relative achievement gains
- 99% of children attending Catholic High Schools graduate. Of these 88% attend 4-year colleges
- Tuition alone does not cover the cost per pupil
Request for Tuition Assistance Form - Download PDF
Bishop's Scholarship Fund
General Program Information
The mission of the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund is to help families afford a Catholic Education. In this past year, the BSF awarded over $3 million in aid to families at the Diocesan elementary schools in Fairfield County.
All families who have a child or children registered, or are new applicants, in a Diocesan-sponsored Catholic elementary school in Fairfield County (Grades K -8) and are in financial need of tuition assistance are encouraged to apply through FACTS online, www.FACTSmgt.com/aid. Consideration may be given to families with multiple elementary school-aged children.
Applications are evaluated and determinations made by the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund Committee. Awardees’ families are notified through FACTS and scholarship distributions are made directly to the school on behalf of the successful scholarship applicant.
2024-2025 Applications open February 1. The deadline for Returning Families to apply is March 15.
Click here for our Bishop’s Scholarship Fund brochure.
Click here for a direct link to FOUNDATIONS IN EDUCATION website.
Frequently Asked Questions
All families who have a child or children registered or are new registrants in a Diocesan-sponsored Catholic elementary school in Fairfield County (Grades K-8) and are in financial need of tuition assistance.
Complete the FACTS Grant & Aid application at www.FACTSmgt.com/aid, answer all questions applicable to the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund application, and upload all required supporting documentation. It is best to scan and upload your documents however families can now upload files in JPEG or PDF format from a mobile device. Faxed and mailed documents are no longer accepted. Please note there is a non-refundable $30.00 application processing fee payable by credit card or bank information. Only one application per family is required annually.
The deadline for RETURNING families (families with a child currently enrolled in K-8 at any Diocesan-sponsored Catholic elementary school) is March 15, 2024 and for NEW families April 15, 2024. Only completed FACTS Grant & Aid applications submitted online by the deadline with all required supporting documents will be considered.
Tuition assistance is awarded to eligible students based on:
• Program eligibility
• Financial need
• Timing of completed application submission
• Confirmation of school registration
Award notifications will be emailed through FACTS to returning families beginning early May 2024. New families will receive email notifications through FACTS beginning late May 2024.
You will be given one week to accept the award online by the designated deadline. Credit to your tuition account will be made once your registration and enrollment is complete and verified.
What documents will I need?
• 2023 W-2 Forms (W-2s are mailed out in January by your employer. If not received by January 31, contact your employer.)
• 2023 IRS Federal Tax Return, including any supporting Schedules and Forms (If you do not receive W-2s, you must submit a 2023 Tax Return.)
> If you cannot locate your tax return, contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-908-9946 and request a tax return transcript.
> If you do not file taxes, contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-908-9946 and request verification on non-filing.
It is best to scan and upload your documents however families can now upload files in JPEG or PDF format from a mobile device. Faxed and mailed documents are no longer accepted. Please contact your school for assistance.
Leaders of Tomorrow Program
Leaders of Tomorrow is a select program of the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund supported by individual donors to Foundations In Education. Leaders of Tomorrow represent students from elementary schools across the Diocese of Bridgeport. They are students with a demonstrated need, who have applied to the Bishop Scholarship Fund and who have been identified by their principal as students of good academics, character and leadership potential.
Donors to Foundations in Education who direct their giving to Leaders of Tomorrow help subsidize the cost of a Catholic elementary school tuition for one or more students by providing for each child’s tuition up to $6,000 per year, partial at $3,000 per year, or a quarter at $1,500 per year. As an investor in the education of a child, these special donors provide a life-enhancing gift and help transform the life of a student as well as their own through the gracious and selfless act of giving.
Click here for our Leaders of Tomorrow brochure.