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 [email protected].

Please check the Federal Poverty Guidelines below to see if you qualify for a scholarship. If you do not meet the poverty guidelines but are experiencing hardship, please contact us. Please note: We cannot refund any tuition assistance application fees. For questions about eligibility, please contact Danielle Gill before submitting.

Do I Qualify?

To qualify for tuition assistance, you must fall below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. Please do not pay the $45 application fee if you do not meet the guidelines. This fee is non-refundable. If your income is above this but you are facing extreme financial hardship (i.e. job loss, illness, etc.), please contact Principal Karen Jones or Director of Development Danielle Gill.

Federal Poverty Guidelines 2025

Household Size	100%	185%	250%	300%
1	$15,650	$28,952	$39,125	$46,950
2	$21,150	$39,127	$52,875	$63,450
3	$26,650	$49,302	$66,625	$79,950
4	$32,150	$59,477	$80,375	$96,450
5	$37,650	$69,652	$94,125	$112,950
6	$43,150	$79,827	$107,875	$129,450
7	$48,650	$90,002	$121,625	$145,950
8	$54,150	$100,177	$135,375	$162,450

For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,500 for each additional person.
For more information on federal poverty levels, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website or view the detailed guidelines.

For the 2025-2026 school year, two scholarships opportunities are available. Both the John Lancaster Spalding Scholarship and the St. Blaise Scholarship use the same application.

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 $45 application fee, which must be paid online at the time you submit the application. You must upload tax documents as part of the application process. The deadline to apply for this scholarship for the 2025-2026 school year is April 25, 2025. All applications and supporting documents are due by this date. No exceptions will be made to this deadline.

ST. BLAISE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP - available to all income eligible families based on 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 $45 application fee, which must be paid online at the time you submit the application. You must upload tax documents as part of the application process. The deadline for current families to apply for the 2025-2026 school year is April 25, 2025. No exceptions will be made to this deadline for current families. There is no deadline for new families, however, please check to see if funds have been depleted for the year before applying.

ILLINOIS TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP - currently not available

Tax Credit Scholarships are not available for the 2025-2026 school year. Empower Illinois is working with legislators to bring this program back. Visit the Empower Illinois website for more information.