Tuition Assistance / Financial Aid

It is the policy of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Parish to provide a Catholic education to all children of the parish either through St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School or through the parish religious education program. In order to offer a greater number of students an opportunity to attend St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School, and in justice to all who sacrifice their time and money supporting the school, guidelines have been set to determine the disbursement of financial aid.

Any school family who anticipates a need for financial assistance must fill out and submit page one and two of the Financial Aid Independent Review Form (F.A.I.R.). Click Here For Online Application. All other school families are requested to fill out and submit page one to qualify for monies that may remain after financial needs are met. F.A.I.R. Forms are sent home in the spring Registration Packet for current families and siblings. F.A.I.R. requires an application processing fee. Any family in need of assistance with this fee is asked to contact the administration.

Once financial need is verified by F.A.I.R., all required documentation is submitted by F.A.I.R. to the Diocesan Office for C.T.O.D.P. funds. The family will be expected to continue any scheduled payments until the F.A.I.R. eligibility is determined, unless prior arrangements have been made with the administration. If a F.A.I.R. form is returned showing the family is able to pay its full tuition amount, they will be expected to continue to follow their elected tuition payment plan unless other arrangements are made with the administration due to circumstances not calculated by F.A.I.R. If a family still requires assistance they may submit their request to the Pastor.

Both the Diocese and the school have a set tuition assistance budget for each year. Financial need is determined and assistance is awarded in the spring of each year for the following school year. However, if funds are still available, a family may file for tuition assistance using F.A.I.R. during any tuition payment period. If that family is accepted, there will be an adjustment to their tuition payment. Families who delay in applying through F.A.I.R. run the risk of not receiving tuition assistance and will have to pursue alternative funding sources for their St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School tuition payments. In-parish families receive preference when tuition assistance funds are distributed.

Families receiving assistance should participate in the scrip program at the level of $150 profit. The family should also solicit two others to contribute to the CTODP program.

Families who fail to make the application for funds from the CTODP will not be considered for additional tuition assistance unless an unforeseen emergency happens after the deadline for CTODP application.