Apply now for tuition grants - Msgr. Lafferty Tuition Foundation - - Catherine Birzle Educational Trust - - Local tuition assistance programs -

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Jan. 24, 2008

This school year about one-third of all students attending Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City received tuition assistance.

Kevin Vickery, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, anticipates that even more families will receive grants.

"The applications will be available in the local schools on or about Jan. 28," noted Vickery. "Families will have until April first to fill out the applications. They will have about two months to complete the application form and get it sent to FAIR."

This is the second year that all families seeking any form of tuition assistance offered by the schools are asked to complete an application through FAIR (Financial Aid Independent Review, Inc.), which provides a third-party review process. Through this one form, application is made for tuition grants through the Msgr. Lafferty Tuition Foundation, the Catherine Birzle Educational Trust and in most cases local school tuition assistance programs.

"By applying for one, you apply for all three programs," explained Vickery.

The application process is essentially the same as last year. In order to complete the application, persons must have completed their taxes for 2007.

The fee to complete the application is $17. It can be done on-line as long as there is means of electronic payment - a credit or debit card. Those who complete the application on-line at www.fairapp.com will be asked to mail their tax papers.

Vickery compared the procedures of the application with "FAFSA" - the financial aid application form for post-secondary education.

April 1 deadline

"One of the big changes this year is that families who are currently in the schools must apply by April 1. If they complete their application process after April 1, there will be a reduction of the award." He stressed, "If you apply late, you will not get the same award as you would if you apply on time."

Tuition grants will be awarded by mid-May.

Some money will be held back so that families that are new to the diocesan Catholic schools may apply. For families who are new to Catholic education, applications will be processed as they are turned in. These families should know within three to four weeks if they are to receive tuition grants.

"If there are families whose income situations change drastically - even if it changes after the deadline - we will certainly work with those families," said Vickery.

In the coming year grants will get a big boost thanks to the Msgr. Lafferty Tuition Foundation. Last year, the foundation was allowed to raise about $690,000 and this year it was allowed to raise almost $1.3 million. Families may receive these dollars if their incomes do not exceed three times the federal guidelines.

"Because we have more money, hopefully we will have the ability to increase the awards that were given and more importantly, we want to help more families make the choice of Catholic education," said Vickery. "We want to make certain that we can make Catholic education a choice for all families."

As a greater portion of the tuition assistance needs are met with Msgr. Lafferty Foundation dollars, it is anticipated that more of the local assistance funds can be used for middle income families who need some assistance. This year, the Msgr. Lafferty Tuition Foundation is allowed to raise $2 million, so next year even more of the tuition needs will be met.

Who should apply?

"If their family income is within three times the established guidelines, they by all means should apply," said Vickery.

For families who do not meet the guidelines, they are encouraged to apply because they may qualify for a grant through the local school's tuition assistance program.

Like the Msgr. Lafferty Foundation, grants through the Catherine Birzle Trust go to families with the greatest financial need. The Msgr. Lafferty is for kindergarten through twelfth grade and the Birzle funds are for high school students.

Some families will receive grants from one source and others may receive grants from all three.

With about 2,000 students receiving assistance this year, Vickery noted, "we really did make a difference for students."

For more information, contact your local Catholic school principal, development director or school business manager. Individuals may also seek information through the Office of Education at the diocese.