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Introduction 

A goal of the Notre Dame Catholic School is to provide a Catholic education for every potential student that desires it. However, we realize that many families have financial barriers that impede their ability to enroll their children in a private Catholic school. Therefore, the Tuition Assistance Fund (TAF) and the Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) Fund are established for the purpose of assisting qualified families with tuition based on their financial need. This policy describes the criteria used to assess need and make tuition assistance awards.

Types of Assistance and Scholarships

• Notre Dame Scholarships
• Diocesan assistance through FACTS based management for Catholic families in grades K-12
• SGO Awards
• Indiana Choice Scholarships

Contributions 

Contributions to SGO Awards are typically tax deductible. A tax advisor should be consulted to determine deductibility and credits for SGO contributions. Contributions to the tuition assistance fund (TAF) should be directed to the Business Manager at Notre Dame Catholic School. Checks should be payable to the Notre Dame Catholic School Tuition Assistance Fund. Contributions to the SGO fund should be directed to our SGO partner, and checks should be payable to Sagamore Institute SGO. Contributions may not be directed to particular students. 

Confidentiality

A minimum number of people should be aware of the existence of pending applications for tuition assistance. School teachers and support staff members do not know which families are receiving tuition assistance. Knowledge of pending applications are confined to the School Office & Business Manager.

Application and Review Process

Application information is available at the school office. Applications for tuition assistance must be submitted directly to the processing firm (Private School Aid Service) by May 1st for the next school year. A complete submission includes all data requested on the application forms, a copy of the family’s Federal tax form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ for the most recent tax year with accompanying schedules, W-2 forms, and the applicable fee. The processing company will evaluate the data and determine the applicant’s “adjusted available income” and analyze the “student need”. Applicants for SGO scholarships must also complete the brief on-line application on our SGO partner’s web site.

Financial information is strictly confidential; the raw data will not be viewed or evaluated by the appropriate staff at Notre Dame Catholic School. Fully completed tuition assistance applications will be considered only after a family has applied for enrollment and paid the appropriate enrollment fees. In the case of extenuating circumstances, late applications may be considered at the discretion of Notre Dame Catholic School. However, applications received by the deadline will be considered first.

Notre Dame Catholic School will review the findings of the processing company, evaluate applications with special circumstances, with recommendations for the distribution of tuition assistance to the applicants. 

Tuition Assistance Awards

SGO Awards are in the amount of ($500.00) & are necessary to ensure a student’s eligibility into the Choice Scholarship (Voucher) system the following year. 

• For example: In order to ensure that students are eligible for the Choice Scholarship (Voucher) in subsequent years, priority will be given to students that are not currently voucher-eligible. A minimum $500.00 award will be awarded to income eligible students who do not currently have a pathway to a Choice Scholarship (Voucher).

Diocesan Assistance awards are handled through the Diocese of Gary. If applications have been completed through their website link to FACTS, families are notified if awards have been approved or denied. If award is denied, there is an appeal process.

Indiana Choice Scholarships are awarded through the State of Indiana and applied for through Notre Dame Catholic School. Awards are disbursed directly to the school.

Additional Requirements

Tuition assistance does not renew automatically. Families must re-apply for tuition assistance each year.

Non-discrimination

Notre Dame Catholic School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policy, tuition assistance policy and athletic and other school administered programs.