Get Financial Aid

We understand that funding your child’s education often requires sacrifices, and sometimes, families do not think that a Catholic, private education is possible because of the cost. We never want the cost of a Catholic education to prohibit a student from attending. Therefore, we have many financial assistance and scholarship opportunities available for our students!

FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION PROCESS

There are plenty of opportunities to receive aid for a private education from several sources. That said, there are specific requirements for each opportunity - we hope to break down some confusion with this step-by-step guide:

  1. Apply for one of the state-funded scholarships. Since families can receive funds from only one of the State of Ohio Scholarship options per year child per school year, be sure to select the one that will best serve your family or child's needs:
    • OH EdChoice Scholarship allows all Ohio students to receive vouchers to attend private schools. Students from families at or below 450% of the federal poverty level receive a full voucher, while students in higher income brackets receive progressively reduced voucher amounts.  2024-25 full voucher amounts will be $6,166. Get info and begin the application process here.
    • Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship provides vouchers to students who are eligible and have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) from their district. The amount of each scholarship will be based on the primary disability condition identified on the student's Evaluation Team Report (ETR). 
    • Autism Scholarship Program gives the parents of children with autism who qualify for a scholarship the choice to send the child to a special education program other than the one operated by the school district of residence to receive their education and the services outlined in the child's individualized education program (IEP).
  2.  Apply for St. Francis Parish & Diocesan Scholarships through FACTS Grant & Aid. One application per family is used for all of the opportunities for which you are eligible. To be eligible for parish scholarships, you must have applied for a state-funded scholarship first. The deadline for most of the available scholarships is annually on March 15

Additional funding may be available from other sources, like another Catholic parish or donor-sponsored scholarships - feel free to research those options on your own. We’re happy to apply any of those funds received to your child’s tuition account.

Please read below for information about each of the scholarship categories and click the links to apply.

STATE SCHOLARSHIPS OPPORTUNITIES

The State of Ohio offers several options for our families to pay for private school education. You may only receive funds from one state-funded scholarship per child per school year. If you are unsure, we’re glad to help you determine which option is best for you.

Also remember, in order to be eligible for St. Francis Parish and diocesan scholarships, you must apply for a state-funded scholarship first.

Ohio EdChoice Scholarship:

This scholarship from the Ohio Department of Education provides a universal voucher program to all students regardless of household income. In 2023-24 recipients received up to $6,165 (based on a sliding scale) toward the cost of their private K-8th grade school tuition.

Begin your application process here. Contact Marianne Kieffer, EdChoice Nominator, at 740-345-9874 x 259 or by email with questions.

Application period for the 2024-25 school is now open; be sure to select the 2024-25 school year when applying.

Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship:

The Jon Peterson Special Needs (JPSN) Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students who are eligible to attend kindergarten through 8th grade and have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) from their home district. The amount of each scholarship will be based on the primary disability condition identified on the student's Evaluation Team Report (ETR). For more information, visit the Ohio Department of Education website

Funds received under JPSN are applied first to the cover the cost of additional services (above and beyond regular costs of education/tuition) provided to the scholarship recipient. Then, any remaining funds are applied to the student's regular tuition bill. Please contact our school office to begin the application process for a JPSN scholarship.

Students will have the ability to apply for JPSN Scholarship year-round.

Autism Scholarship Program:

The Autism Scholarship Program (ASP) gives the parents of children with autism who qualify for a scholarship the choice to send the child to a special education program other than the one operated by the school district of residence to receive their education and the services outlined in the child's individualized education program (IEP). Please contact our school office to begin the application process for a ASP scholarship.

PARISH & DIOCESAN OPPORTUNITIES

For the greatest level of support, apply by 3/15/2024.

To apply for diocesan or parish opportunities listed below please click here.  

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS

There is no fee to apply for the 2024-25 school year (however the screen says there is a $40 fee - it will be waived later in the process). Please make sure you apply under Columbus Diocese St. Francis de Sales. You only need to submit one application per family to be considered for ALL opportunities for which each student is eligible, but you must submit prior to the deadline date.

When your family applies, you will be considered for the following grants and scholarships:

Emmaus Road Scholarship: 

Established to benefit any student grades K - 8 at St. Francis, these scholarships are prioritized for low-income students, designated as 300% of the federal poverty line; however, all students can benefit from this program, making an authentically Catholic education accessible and affordable for all who desire it.

Application deadline: March 15

St. Francis de Sales Parishioner Grant:

This grant is for registered, active parishioners enrolled in the K - 8 school only who are in need of financial support after the offerings of other scholarships, including Emmaus Road and Ohio’s EdChoice scholarships have been applied. Requirements: You must 1) be a registered, 2) be an active parishioner with a current offertory pledge on file, 3) donate to the parish offertory in an identifiable way, 4) attend and track weekly Mass attendance, and 5) donate and track a combined 25-hours of parish volunteer or faith formation hours for grant school year (in addition to the 25 school volunteer hours required by the school). Please download the Track It Forward app here to track your hours and Mass attendance. 

Application deadline: May 15; additional funds may be available after this date but are not guaranteed.

Educating for Eternity Tuition Assistance: 

Available to both Preschool and K - 8 students. Each year, thousands of dollars of tuition assistance are given to our families who qualify based upon special circumstances and family need through established endowments with the Catholic Foundation. This will be awarded on an as-needed basis. 

Application deadline: May 31

Diocesan Tuition Assistance: 

These scholarships are awarded based upon need by the Diocese of Columbus. Only elementary students are eligible. 

Application deadline: March 15

Clare’s Gift Scholarship: 

This $600 scholarship can support the education of students in need. Two scholarships will be awarded to SFDS parishioners only and available to both preschool and school students. In addition, this fund provides four (4) Catholic Youth Summer Camp needs-based scholarships for students in our Parish Youth Ministry program. 

Application deadline: May 31

Brady Hempleman Memorial Tuition Assistance Endowment: 

This scholarship is available to a SFDS Junior High (grades 6-8) student athlete. It is awarded in the spring for the following school year. Applicants will be asked to turn in an additional essay. Criteria for the essay will be given to eligible applicants by their homeroom teacher. 

Application deadline: April 15

Knights of Columbus Tuition Assistance Fund: 

This scholarship of $500 is given to a student who is also a St. Francis de Sales parishioner. This is not a needs-based scholarship but a service and character-based scholarship. 

Application deadline: May 31

Livestream Tuition Assistance Fund: 

This scholarship is awarded to a student who is also a St. Francis de Sales parishioner. 

Application deadline: May 31

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS


NON-ST. FRANCIS PARISH GRANTS

Parishioners from other Catholic parishes who wish to request a grant from their parish must take the form linked below to their pastor for completion. Please turn in the completed form to our parish or school office. These grants will be applied to your tuition bill as they are received.

Sponsoring Parish Grant Form (NON-ST. FRANCIS PARISHIONER) **

**This grant application is for parishioners who do NOT attend St. Francis