Financial Aid

"It is the intent of the Pastors' Board that no qualified Catholic student should be denied an education at The High School of Saint Thomas More because of lack of financial resources. As a consequence, the parishes of the Champaign Vicariate have made generous financial assistance funds available to children of their parishioners." --STM Student Handbook

The High School of Saint Thomas More uses something called the Equitable Share Tuition Model: those families that are financially able to pay 100% of the tuition are asked to do so. For those who cannot, their parish then provides assistance for qualifying families based on level of need.

Where the funds come from

Registered families of Catholic Champaign Vicariate parishes receive funding directly from the parish. The parish funds are specific dollars set aside by the pastor for the express purpose of assisting Saint Thomas More students from his parish.

Limits of Award Amounts

Financial assistance is only available for the tuition amount. Comprehensive fees, incidentals, lunch, uniforms, etc. are not eligible for financial assistance. Registered families of Catholic Vicariate parishes may receive up to 100% of the tuition cost by Tuition Assistance. However, families are asked to pay at least $1 per student day as a sign of material participation in the school.

Parish requirements to receive assistance

In order to be considered a "parish family in good standing" for the purpose of receiving tuition assistance from the parish, the Pastors of the Champaign Vicariate require that the following criteria be met:

1. That the family be formally registered in one parish in the Vicariate for at least one year unless they have moved into the parish and registered after the close of the last school year.
2. That the family be supporting the parish either financially or by the gift of talent or service in a manner described by the parish.
3. That the family require service to the parish community from its high school students in a form agreed upon between the family and the parish.
4. That the family sign a formal agreement with the parish each year that they request financial assistance that incorporates the items noted above as stated by the individual parish. Each parish being free to add other reasonable criteria for assistance.

(Policy: DEDA)

PROCESS TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE

1. Tuition Assistance forms must be postmarked no later than February 12, 2010. *THIS IS ABSOLUTE. Click here for the FACTS Application.
2. All families seeking assistance are required to complete the following scholarship applications:
   • John Lancaster Spalding Scholarship Fund: Diocesan Application Form
   • John Lancaster Spalding Scholarship Fund: Protocols and Procedures
3. Award letters will be mailed in March 2010.
4. Catholic families seeking additional or alternate financial arrangements with their pastor must have those plans in place and documentation returned to the school office no later than April 2010.