The annual grants awarded are in support of following three initiatives:

• Need-based tuition
• Education technology
• Professional development

Tuition Vouchers
Financial aid assistance is not given to the institution but rather support is given to individuals based upon financial need and it done so in the blind so that all desiring assistance have an equal opportunity to be granted aid through the tuition voucher. In this manner the assistance is portable, or is being focused where the need is the greatest and where the student envisions the greatest opportunity to learn. By the very nature of this system of financial aid, the student’s choice will challenge the schools to excel in the curriculum and programs they offer.

Education Technology
With respect to technology assistance, the school must prepare a grant application setting forth the educational value of the proposed new technology, how it will be applied within the school and what value the new technology will have to other schools. All technology grants require some level of match spending on behalf of the school ranging from as low as $2 for every $1 granted, to as high as $7 for every $1 granted. The range of matching depends upon the school’s financial situation but in all cases it is believed better decisions are made at the school level when the school itself makes some investment. Aid is focused on this area because the high cost of technology is simply too great to be funded through tuition alone.

Professional Development
Highly skilled teachers are essential in maintaining the quality of a Catholic education. Although this is a relatively minor portion of the grants awarded, it is very important to the overall education assistance program. To participate in this process, the school must submit a compelling case for the assistance and reimbursement of the development program cost is available only upon completion of the program.

History of Grants Awarded
Since its formation in 1997, the Foundation has awarded approximately $8,000,000 in grants for tuition assistance, technology and professional development - $1,000,000 of it in FY 2007-2008 alone. The Foundation does NOT grant aid for capital construction projects, nor does it award grants for post-secondary education. Further, all financial aid grants are need-based; there are NO academic or athletic grants.

Annually the Foundation also sponsors a Salute to Catholic School Alumni to recognize and celebrate the success of the schools and to demonstrate the importance of the schools to the community. This event is held in the spring of each year, recognizes distinguished alumni with attendance by approximately 1800 patrons.

Click here for a list of schools and parishes benefiting from CEF grants in 2007-2008.