Tuition Assistance

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Hearing the news that someone was able to help our son attend private school was a blessing we have been praying for.

- SMS Scholarship Recipient

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WHY ST. MARY'S?
K - 8 REGISTRATION
PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION
TUITION ASSISTANCE
REGISTRATION DATES

We strive to ensure that our youth are able to receive a Catholic education despite the possible inability to pay. If you have financial need, please take advantage of these opportunities. Parents of students currently receiving scholarships are reminded that all scholarships are for one year only and anyone seeking to renew a scholarship must reapply. Scholarship opportunities are subject to change based upon availability of funds. For further information, please contact Danielle Gill at gill.danielle@stmaryspontiac.org.

The following scholarships are available to students entering grades K - 8:

ILLINOIS TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP - available to all income eligible families based on Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Chart

Through the Invest in Kids Act, K - 12 students have the opportunity to receive Illinois tax credit scholarships to attend private schools. This scholarship opportunity is available to all income-eligible St. Mary's families. Scholarships cover up to 100% of private school tuition and fees and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications for the 2023-2024 school year will be accepted beginning January 18 @ 6:30 p.m. Visit the Empower Illinois website for more information.

JOHN LANCASTER SPALDING SCHOLARSHIP - available to all income eligible Catholic families based on Facts Management Assessment

Tuition assistance from the endowment fund established as a result of the Diocese of Peoria ROOTED IN FAITH Campaign and named in honor of Archbishop Spalding, the first Bishop of Peoria, are available to students enrolled in or intending to enroll in grades K – 12 in any Catholic School located in the Diocese of Peoria whose families are members of a Catholic Parish in the Diocese. All scholarship awards will be based on financial need objectively assessed. Go to Facts Grant & Aid to apply for this scholarship. There is a $40 application fee, which must be paid online at the time you submit the application. The deadline to apply for this scholarship for the 2023-2024 school year is April 26, 2024. No exceptions will be made to this deadline.

ST. BLAISE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP - available to all income eligible families based on Empower Illinois or Facts Management Assessment

The St. Blaise Scholarship Fund was established in loving memory of St. Mary’s student Blaze Masching, whose outgoing personality and enthusiastic passion for life are fondly remembered. His spirit will live on as this scholarship fund helps current and future generations of SMS students. The St. Blaise Scholarship Fund provides tuition assistance to those families who demonstrate need. To apply for this scholarship, families must complete an application in Facts Grant & Aid. There is a $40 application fee, which must be paid online at the time you submit the application. The deadline for current families to apply for the 2023-2024 school year is April 28, 2023. There is no deadline for new families.

TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR INCOME ELIGIBLE NEW FAMILIES

Catholic Families	Non-Catholic Families
Empower Illinois: first-come, first-served	Empower Illinois: first-come, first-served
John Lancaster Spalding: subject to deadline	St. Blaise Scholarship: no deadline
St. Blaise Scholarship: no deadline	-

Scholarship Application Timeline