News Releases

 

 

                                                AID FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL

                                                     CHILDREN EXPANDS

 

More than 5,600 students from low-income families who will attend Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens in the Fall will benefit from approximately $5 million in tuition assistance from nine programs administered by the Diocese of Brooklyn.

 

A recently created initiative, the Bishop’s Scholarship Program, will provide grants for 700 new students, averaging $1,500. The program was launched in response to a challenge grant offered by the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which asks the Diocese to raise $2 in new aid for each dollar given in the challenge grant.

 

The Children’s Scholarship Fund is accepting applications for the grants. Parents seeking information, income guidelines and application instructions can call (212) 515-7100 or visit www.scholarshipfund.org/nyc/apply. Based in New York, the fund was established in l998.

 

“This is a wonderful opportunity to help low-income families who want so much to send their children to our schools but cannot afford the average annual tuition of $3,100,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. “It benefits our families, our schools and our mission of ensuring the continuance of Catholic education in Brooklyn and Queens.”

 

The bishop said the projected number of children who will receive tuition assistance next year is 5,674, “thanks to the help of many very generous donors.”

 

The majority of the scholarships assist existing students through such sources as the Annual Catholic Appeal, endowments from the Alive in Hope Foundation, general scholarships from the Futures in Education Foundation and the Be an Angel to a Student program.

 

“This is a big boost for our schools and students,” Bishop DiMarzio said. “It will help ensure that families who want a Catholic, faith-filled education for their children will receive one.”

 

Tax-deductible contributions to the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund can be made through the Futures in Education Foundation, 310 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, N.Y., 11215; (718) 965-7340.

 

“One hundred percent of every dollar donated will be directed to help low-income children so they can attend one of our Catholic schools,” said Jean O’Shea, Futures’ executive director.

 

         

Scholarships for the 2005-2006 school year

 

  • Annual Catholic Appeal Scholarships:  With a commitment of $1.5 million, the Annual Catholic Appeal will assist 2,000 families in Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens in need of tuition assistance with an average need-based scholarship of $750.  This is due to the generosity of parishioners throughout the Diocese who gave over $8 million to the Appeal this year.

 

  • Bishop’s Scholarship Program: 700 new students for the 2005-2006 school year. New this year. A partnership with Children’s Scholarship Fund, the Diocese and Futures in Education to provide assistance averaging $1,500 for new children of low income to attend parish schools.

 

  • Futures in Education Foundation General Scholarships:  to 1,400 students. Futures in Education was established by Bishop Thomas Daily and prominent business and civic leaders in 1989 to raise scholarship and program support funds for the neediest Catholic schools and their students in Brooklyn and Queens. Thanks to the generosity of concerned individuals, corporations and foundations, thousands of children and hundreds of schools have received tuition assistance of $500-$1,400. The average family income for a students assisted by Futures this year was $23,000. 

 

  • Futures in Education Angel Scholarships:  to 550 students – Generous individuals provide tuition assistance of $1,400 toward a child’s education. Angels receive correspondence and progress reports from the children they assist.  Additional $1,400 Angel scholarships provided by the proceeds of Futures’ Angels on the Fairway golf outing.

 

  • Alive in Hope Foundation’s Archbishop Bryan J. McEntegart Endowment Fund for Education: This fund was created through the extraordinary generosity shared with the Alive in Hope Capital Campaign.  Approximately $500,000 generated by this fund in 2004 will support programs and scholarships during the 2005/2006 school year.

 

  • Alive in Hope Foundation’s Parish, School and Individual Endowment Funds:  Many parishes and schools have established school preservation and scholarship funds.  Additionally, individuals have also perpetuated funds with the intention to provide financial resources for those in need.  The funds are usually created in memory of loved ones or in honor of a friend.  Others have been established in the name of the donor(s) or family to leave a legacy of love and recognize the importance of Catholic education in their lives.  It is through these endowment funds that the donors have the hope that those who wish to receive a Catholic education, will.  Over $100,000 will be distributed from these various funds in 2005/2006.

 

  • 9/11 Scholarships: to 134 students. These scholarships were provided for the past four school years to children whose lives were impacted by the tragic event of Sept. 11 by either a loss of a parent or parent job loss. September will be the final year of these scholarships.  

 

  • Children’s Scholarship Fund:  Assistance to 392 students who received partial scholarships from CSF for four years.  Beginning in 2004, Futures and the Diocese contribute approximately $700 for each of these students, which is matched 1:1 by CSF.  26 parishes have also contributed to this match to help children remain in their schools.  CSF was established in 1998 by John Walton and Ted Forstmann to send low-income children to the non-public school of their choice.  Over 67,000 children across the U.S. have benefited from scholarships.

 

  • The Bishop Loughlin Scholarship Fund awards over $200,000 in need-based scholarships to students attending Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School.  The average scholarship is $1,100 and approximately 190 students receive such assistance.