Tuition Assistance / Financial Aid

It is the policy of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Parish to provide a Catholic education to all children of the parish either through St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School or through the parish religious education program. In order to offer a greater number of students an opportunity to attend St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School, guidelines have been set to determine the disbursement of financial aid.

Any school family who anticipates a need for financial assistance must apply for Catholic Education Arizona through the Financial Aid Independent Review (F.A.I.R.). Click Here For Online Application.  Catholic Education Arizona information is sent home in the spring Registration Packet for current families and siblings. Families who delay in applying through F.A.I.R. run the risk of not receiving tuition assistance and will have to pursue alternative funding sources for their St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School tuition payments.

Families are expected to continue any scheduled payments until the F.A.I.R. eligibility is determined, unless prior arrangements have been made with the administration. Once financial need is determined by F.A.I.R, assistance is awarded in June for the upcoming school year. If a F.A.I.R. form is returned showing the family is able to pay its full tuition amount, they will be expected to continue to follow their elected tuition payment plan.

Although Catholic Education Arizona grants awards in June, if funds are still available a family may file for tuition assistance through this program anytime during the school year. The family must already have a valid application on file with F.A.I.R. to apply for these excess funds. If that family is accepted, there will be an adjustment to their tuition payment.

In addition to Catholic Education Arizona, there are many other opportunities for financial aid through the state tax credit programs. Most of these programs allow your family and friends to recommend your children specifically to receive their tax credit donation. Other qualifications must also be met. Click here for more information. 

If an In-Parish family has applied for Catholic Education Arizona and they need additional assistance they may apply for the St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Scholarship in October. Families who fail to make the application for Catholic Education Arizona through F.A.I.R will not be considered for additional tuition assistance unless an unforeseen emergency happens after the application deadline.

Families receiving assistance should participate in the SCRIP program at the level of $150 profit, and should solicit a minimum of two others to contribute to Catholic Education Arizona and the other state tax credit programs.