We believe in Catholic Education. We realize that most parents make a financial sacrifice to send their children to a Catholic school. We want to encourage any family that would like their child to get a quality education and to be a part of a Catholic community to review the information below. It is workable and it is possible!!
BISHOP’S EDUCATION FUND
The Bishop’s Education Fund, which was founded over a decade ago and which has given millions of dollars in grants to Catholic school students in our Diocese, is awarded on the basis of financial need.
To be eligible, applicants must (1) be practicing Catholics registered in a parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, (2) attend one of the Diocesan, parish, or regional schools and (3) have demonstrated financial need. In general, grants from the Bishop’s Education Fund have ranged from $150 to $350 for BLSMMA students.
How do I apply?
To be considered for the Bishop’s Education Fund, simply fill out and submit the Private School Aid Service (PSAS) form by March 15th. These forms will be made available online and through the office in the first week of January, for the up-coming school year.
SCHOLASTIC OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP (S.O.S. FUND)
The Scholastic Opportunity Scholarship (S.O.S.) Tuition Assistance Program was developed when the Pennsylvania legislature established Act 4 in May of 2001. This law established the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) to be administered by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Act 4 authorized the award of tax credits to businesses that make contributions to certain scholarship organizations.
As a result of the EITC program, the Diocese of Pittsburgh formed the Scholastic Opportunity Scholarship (S.O.S.) Program to receive and distribute tax credit gifts. The funds available through the S.O.S. Program are awarded to families based solely on economic eligibility requirements. Students who are PA residents enrolled in any Catholic school in the Diocese of Pittsburgh are eligible. Applicants can be Catholic or non- Catholic. The funds are sent in the student’s name to the school where the child is enrolled. In general, families with one dependent are eligible if the family income is $60,000; those with two dependents are eligible with an income of $70,000 and so on. In general, grants from the S.O.S. Program have ranged from $100 to $1,500 per student.
How do I apply?
To be considered for the Scholastic Opportunity Scholarship (S.O.S.) Tuition Assistance Program, simply fill out and submit the Private School Aid Service (PSAS) form by March 15th. These forms will be made available online and through the office in the first week of January, for the up-coming school year.