Affording a Catholic Education
With Indiana Choice legislation, 97% of Indiana households qualify for financial assistance.
Indiana Choice Scholarship Program
Qualifying students in grades K-12 can receive 90% of the local per-student state funding amount for tuition at any of our diocesan Catholic schools through the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program, also sometimes referred to as the “voucher.” To qualify, the student must legally reside in Indiana, be at least five years old by October 1 of the enrolled school year, and meet income eligibility requirements. 97% of households in Indiana qualify for this aid. At most K-8 diocesan schools, the award amount nearly covers tuition.
For current funding amounts by district, specific income eligibility thresholds, and more, visit the state website for the Indiana Choice Scholarship.
Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) Scholarships
Funded by private, charitable donations, the Scholarship Granting Organization of Northeast Indiana (SGONEI) was founded in 2011 to provide families with scholarships to attend schools in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Qualifying students in grades Pre-K through 12 can receive financial aid to offset tuition. Pre-K students do not need to be full-time to qualify. The award amount varies and is dependent upon donations to the SGONEI.
To qualify, the student must legally reside in Indiana, be at least four years old by August 1 of the enrolled school year, and meet income eligibility requirements. 97% of households in Indiana qualify for this aid. For specific income eligibility thresholds, visit the state website.
On My Way Pre-K
On My Way Pre-K awards limited vouchers to four-year-olds from low-income families so they may have access to an approved Pre-K program the year before they begin kindergarten. For frequently asked questions, eligibility requirements, and more, visit in.gov/fssa/carefinder/on-my-way-pre-k.
School-Specific Financial Aid
Many diocesan schools offer their own financial assistance. When you contact the school of your choice to begin the application and enrollment process, the school will ensure you take advantage of every financial aid opportunity available.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs regarding the Indiana Choice Scholarship and SGO. Information regarding On My Way Pre-K can be found on the state website.
All enrolled families in our diocesan Catholic schools will be invited by the school to complete a financial aid application through a program called FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment. As part of this application, parents will be invited to provide their IRS Federal Income Tax Return from the prior year to apply for the Indiana Choice Scholarship, SGO scholarships, and school-specific financial aid opportunities.
The exact amount of the Indiana Choice Scholarship varies by year and based on the school district in which you live. The state awards qualifying students 90% of what the state pays the public schools in your district per enrolled student. Exact award amounts by district are published annually on the state website for the Indiana Choice Scholarship. Awards are paid directly to the school on behalf of the student.
Because the state pays different amounts based on district, the Indiana Choice Scholarship amount may vary between students who attend the same diocesan Catholic school if those students reside in different districts.
SGO scholarships are dependent on donations to the Scholarship Granting Organization of Northeast Indiana and vary based on the need and availability of scholarships. Awards are paid directly to the school on behalf of the student.
Donors may learn more about the SGONEI at sgonei.org.
The Choice Scholarship student application will be available March 1 through September 1 for the first application period and November 1 through January 15 for the second application period. Schools may have their own deadlines for completing the financial aid application.
The Indiana Choice Scholarship is available to every qualifying family. 97% of Indiana households qualify.
SGO scholarship availability is dependent on the amount available through donations and the need. Contributions are usually made to a specific school, so the available amount varies by school. Please contact the school of your choice to inquire about the availability of SGO scholarships.
To donate to the SGO, visit sgonei.org. Donations may go to the school of your choice.
Yes, some students may be eligible to receive multiple forms of aid.
Families will be invited to re-apply annually by completing the financial aid application through FACTS. Household income must be verified each year that a student is applying for the scholarship.
Additional aid besides the Indiana Choice Scholarship and SGO varies by school. You are encouraged to speak with the principal at the school of your choice to explore every financial aid option available to you.
At most diocesan Catholic schools, the enrollment application for the upcoming fall opens sometime during the winter prior. Parents/guardians of first-time students are encouraged to apply early. Once a student is enrolled, the financial aid application is a second step. There may be a small fee associated with the enrollment application and with the FACTS application.