Financial Aid / Scholarships
for Elementary and High School Students
Diocesan Tuition Assistance Program
What is “D.T.A.”?
Donors across the Diocese have been generous in their gifts to tuition-assistance funds. These funds are dispersed yearly to needy families through a distribution process that takes into account family and school need, total number of children applying for aid, and total amount of funds available that year. Families must apply each year.
From the earliest settlements of this country, Catholic schools have served the common good of the nation and will continue to do so in a manner which recognizes that all children have an inalienable right to a quality education that is responsive to the rights of parents as the primary educators of their children. NCEA 2008
What Parents Need to Know
Who can apply for tuition assistance?
Families with children attending a Catholic elementary or a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Cleveland can apply for Diocesan Tuition Assistance (DTA). Parents should find out if the school/parish participates in the Diocesan Tuition Assistance Program. Ask the principal, pastor or business manager of the school/parish that question.
Some Catholic elementary and Catholic high schools choose not to participate in the Diocesan Tuition Assistance Program because they are able to provide tuition assistance at the local level. In this case, parents may still be required to complete an application for tuition assistance but they will not be considered for DTA.
Note that all DTA awards are based on financial NEED.
How do families apply for tuition assistance?
In January(**), financial aid applications are available at the school or through the diocese. An independent company, Private School Aid Service (PSAS), is used for the financial review. The funding, however, comes from diocesan donors, not from PSAS.
(**) 9th graders only (and their siblings) apply for tuition assistance
beginning in October-November.
Private School Aid Service (PSAS) Application
PSAS Application Form - English
PSAS Application Form - Spanish
Code List - School & Parish-English
Code List - School & Parish-Spanish
Deadlines and…
How will a family know if their child(ren) qualify for tuition assistance?
Round 1
Application deadline is March 1 of the year.
Notification letters usually sent to families in early May.
Schools informed in early May.
Round 2
Application deadline is June 1 of the year.
Notification letters usually sent to families in early July.
Schools informed in early July.
DTA Checks sent to schools in early October on behalf of the award recipients.
Questions: 216-696-6525
Judy Nakasian, Special Projects -x3250
Jan Ravas, Grants Administrator –x2830
What Parents Need to Know About Ohio Scholarship Programs
Scholarship Options
Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program
Ohio EdChoice Scholarship Program
Other Resource Information about Catholic Schools and
About School Choice
Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program
Website:http://www.ode.state.oh.us
For Fact Sheet, Participating Schools, Frequently Asked Questions and other valuable information
Ohio Program initiated in 1995 and unique to Cleveland.
Description:
Children residing within the boundaries of the Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD) entering grades kindergarten through eight are eligible to apply.
Once the child has been awarded a scholarship, the family need not apply again, as long as the child is enrolled in a participating school and continues to meet all other program requirements.
Students may continue to use the scholarship through twelfth grade; however, new scholarships are not awarded at the HS level.
Scholarship Amount:
Students with CSTP scholarships receive either 90% or 75% of the legislated amount for the scholarship. Currently: 90% of $3,450 or 75% of $3,450 toward his/her tuition. If the non-public school tuition is less than $3,450, then child’s scholarship is 90% or 75% of the lesser mount.
How to Apply for a Cleveland Scholarship
- Determine if your child is eligible for the Cleveland scholarship. (Check eligibility requirements at http://cstp.education.ohio.gov.)
- Review the list of participating private schools and select the one you are interested in your child attending.
- Complete the admissions process at the private school.
- After your child has been accepted by the private school, the private school will have you complete the needed Cleveland Scholarship paperwork.
- The private school will submit the application for your child through the secure Web-based Cleveland Scholarship application system.
- The application period will run from February 1, 2010 through May 21, 2010.
- In July 2010, the Ohio Department of Education will notify parents about whether or not their child has been awarded a scholarship.
Contact Information
Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program
615 West Superior Avenue, Suite 535
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
E-Mail or Phone
Myesha Atley ( 216) 787-5909
Lisa Price (216) 787-5680
Ken Lester (216) 787-5684
Leigh-Anne Ford (216) 787-5714
Ohio EdChoice Scholarship Program
Website:http://edchoice.ohio.gov
For Fact Sheet, ParticipatingSchools, Frequently Asked Questions and other valuable information
Description:
The State of Ohio can provide up to 14,000 eligible students with scholarships to attend an ODE-approved participating private school of their choice.
Students in grades K- 12 who reside in an Ohio public school district (excluding the Cleveland Municipal SD) and attend a school that has received a state rating of Academic Watch or Academic Emergency for two of the last three school years are eligible to apply.
Students must live within the boundaries of the school district in which the school is located. [For example, a student must attend an eligible school in Euclid and live somewhere within the Euclid City SD. A student cannot attend an eligible school in Euclid and live in the Warrensville Heights City SD.]
Provided that all eligibility requirements continue to be met, families can renew the scholarship annually through 12th grade.
Scholarship Amount:
The maximum EdChoice scholarship amount for students in grades K-8 is currently $4250. For students in grades 9-12, it is currently $5000. The scholarship can only be used to pay tuition. It cannot be applied to fees, uniforms or anything other than TUITION. If either the elementary or high school tuition amount is less than the maximum EdChoice
How to Apply for an EdChoice Scholarship
- Determine if your child is eligible for the EdChoice scholarship. (Check eligibility requirements at http://edchoice.ohio.gov.)
- Review the list of participating private schools and select the one you are interested in your child attending.
- Complete the admissions process at the private school.
- If your child has been accepted by the private school, the private school will have you complete an EdChoice Scholarship Request Form and submit both proof of current address and your child's birth certificate.
- The private school will submit an EdChoice application for your child through the secure Web-based EdChoice Scholarship application system.
- The application period will run from February 1, 2010 through April 16, 2010.
- In July 2010, the Ohio Department of Education will notify parents about whether or not their child has been awarded a scholarship.
NOTE: Students currently attending nonpublic (private) schools and homeschooled
students are not eligible to apply.
Contact Information
ODE toll free (877)644-6338, ask for the EdChoice Office or e-mail edchoice@ode.state.oh.us
Information for Spanish Speaking Parents about EdChoice
website:http://edchoice.ohio.gov
Other Resource Information
National Catholic Education Association (NCEA): FAQ's about Catholic Education
Citizens for Educational Freedom
Council for American Private Education
Black Alliance for Educational Options
What Schools and Parishes Need to Know
Who can apply for tuition assistance?
Families with children attending a Catholic elementary or a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Cleveland can apply for Diocesan Tuition Assistance (DTA). Parents should find out if the school/parish participates in the Diocesan Tuition Assistance Program. Ask the principal, pastor or business manager of the school/parish that question.
Some Catholic elementary and Catholic high schools choose not to participate in the Diocesan Tuition Assistance Program because they are able to provide tuition assistance at the local level. In this case, parents may still be required to complete an application for tuition assistance but they will not be considered for DTA.
Note that all DTA awards are based on financial NEED.
How do schools/parishes elect to participate in DTA?
In January of each school year, the school principal receives all information related to the subsequent school year’s DTA process. Completing and returning the STAR form (School Tuition Assistance Request form) is the first step for schools/parishes to choose participation in the DTA process or to decline participation in DTA. Schools/parishes who decline participation in DTA usually intend to provide needed tuition assistance locally (LTA) so that DTA funds can be used for needier schools.
At this time, schools/parishes can order PSAS forms for their families using the Diocesan form included in the principal’s January DTA packet.
2010-2011 School Tuition Assistance Request (STAR) form
link will be activated in January 2010.
What is Local Tuition Assistance?
Local assistance comes from the particular school to which families apply. There are often funds available from the school’s supporting donor community. Pastors and principals try to accommodate families with a tuition payment program that can fit a family’s budget. School leaders recognize the sacrifice parents and relatives make to afford this quality education.
Private School Aid Service (PSAS) Application
Deadlines and…
How will a family know if their child(ren) qualify for tuition assistance?
Round 1
Application deadline is March 1 of the year.
Notification letters usually sent to families in early May.
Schools informed in early May.
Round 2
Application deadline is June 1 of the year.
Notification letters usually sent to families in early July.
Schools informed in early July
DTA Checks sent to schools in early October on behalf of the award recipients.
Questions: 216-696-6525
Judy Nakasian, Special Projects -x3250
Jan Ravas, Grants Administrator –x2830
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