Guardian Angels Catholic School

Tuition Assistance and Scholarship Opportunities (2016-2017)

 

ALL APPLICANTS ARE CONSIDERED FOR ASSISTANCE ON A YEARLY BASIS.  IT IS THE PARENT RESPONSIBILITY TO SUBMIT ALL REQUIRED PAPERWORK BY THE INDICATED DEADLINE EVERY YEAR FOR THE ASSISTANCE NEEDED.

The following are scholarship opportunities available for the 2016-2017 school year:

Catholic School’s Tuition Assistance Grant (CSTAG):  Funded through the Diocese of St. Petersburg for need- based practicing Catholic families.

Ø  Information and qualifying income levels will be posted once they become available.  If you are currently enrolled in FACTS Management to pay your monthly tuition, and you intend to use FACTS Management for the 2016-2017 school year, you may use the FACTS Management site (with your same log in credentials) to apply for FACTS Tuition and Grant Aid.  The link to the FACTS Management site is https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3FJTX. (Also available as a link on the front of our school website at www.gacsfl.com). If you do not use FACTS Management to pay your monthly tuition, you can apply for FACTS Tuition Grant Aid at https://online.factsmgt.com.

Ø  The deadline to apply for CSTAG through FACTS Tuition and Grant Aid (factstuitionaid.com) is March 31, 2016.  An application is considered complete when FACTS Tuition and Grant Aid (the company that determines eligibility for tuition assistance) has received the application and ALL supporting documentation required for evaluation. Supporting documents can be uploaded online or faxed to 866-315-9264. The deadline for ALL supporting documents to be uploaded is April 15, 2016. For customer support, call 866-441-4637.

Wienhusen Scholarship:  Available for need-based practicing Catholics of St. Ignatius Catholic Church only.

Ø  Contact the St. Ignatius parish office for guidelines and information. Deadline – to PSAS March 31, 2016.

Step Up for Students:

Ø  GACS has been approved as a provider for the 2016-2017 school year.  New student applications will be available online in early Spring 2016.    More information can be found on the attached flyer or visit www.StepUpForStudents.org/family.  It is recommended that you register your email address as soon as possible so you will receive all notifications.

Mary C. Forbes Scholarship:  Privately funded for need-based practicing Catholic families.

Ø  Limited applications available to qualified applicants at the school office. Must submit a written request to Mrs. Stalzer by March 31, 2016.

Guardian Angels Catholic School Tuition Assistance:  Funded through GACS for need-based practicing Catholic families.  Information from the FACTS Tuition and Grant Aid (factstuitionaid.com) is used to determine need.  Please complete the FACTS application process (explained above) in order to be eligible to receive Guardian Angels Catholic School Tuition Assistance.

Sr. Deborah Scholarship Fund:  Available to those who come into financial stress once school begins.  Must submit a written request to Mrs. Stalzer.

Elementary Schools

Catholic School Tuition Aid Grant 2015-2016

 

 

Eligibility

 

Any student in or entering grades K – 8 who is a baptized and practicing Catholic and is registered in a Catholic parish in the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

 

The student must be registered at, or have submitted an enrollment application to, an (inter)parish or diocesan Catholic Elementary school in the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

 

Student in grades K-8 may not be a recipient of a Corporate Tax (Step Up For Students) or McKay voucher from the state of Florida.  The Catholic School Tuition Aid Grant cannot be combined with these awards. 

 

The parents are required to submit a FACTS Grant and Aid application.

 

Income Levels

 

Household size as listed on Tax Form	Gross Income
1	39,264
2	45,264
3	51,264
4	57,264
5	63,264
Each additional Dependent	Add $6,000

 

What next?

 

Parents are required to complete the FACTS Grant & Aid Application for the 2015-2016 school year.  All applications must be submitted and completed no later than March 31, 2015.  An application is considered complete when FACTS Grant & Aid has received the application and all supporting documentation required for evaluation.

 

 

Step Up for Students

How the Scholarship Works

 

SINCE 2002, MORE THAN 331,000 SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO LOW-INCOME FLORIDA STUDENTS IN GRADES K-12. COULD YOUR CHILD BE NEXT?

 

Students learn in different ways and parents need to find the best school for each child. Sometimes that means another public school in a different neighborhood or sometimes that means a private school. Step Up For Students exists to help low-income families enjoy all of those options.

 

Students who qualify for the free or reduced school lunch program may qualify for a Step Up For Students Scholarship to a private school or for funds to help cover transportation costs to an out-of-district public school.

 

Our goal is to give your family a choice in your child’s education. It’s your child; it’s your choice.

 

These scholarships were created by the Florida Legislature in 2001 to assure that low-income children have learning options. Under the law, the scholarships are based on financial need, not how well your child does in school. They are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and can be transferred to other eligible schools if the student moves within the state, or simply wants to attend a different Step Up partner school.

 

To qualify for a scholarship for the 2015-16 school year:

1.      A child entering kindergarten must be 5 on or before September 1st.

2.      A child entering first grade must be 6 on or before September 1st

3.      A child entering grades 6-12 must have attended a Florida public school for the entire previous school year.

 

AND

Your household income is at or below the amount shown on the income guidelines chart below. 

 

Eligibility for children who qualify based on income:

Number of People in Household                        Total Gross Monthly Household Income

2015-16 scholarship income guidelines               add $641 for each additional member

 

                      2                                                                        $2,456

 

                     3                                                                         $3,098

 

                     4                                                                         $3,739

 

Household income must be at/or below the income criteria found in the chart

Or, if a member of the household receives SNAP (food stamps), TANF, or FDPIR, the student may qualify.

Or, if the household income qualifies for free or reduced –price lunch, the student may qualify.

Our Mission

 

Christ is the foundation of Guardian Angels Catholic School, where pastors, administration, teachers, parents, and students, work together as a Catholic family, centered on Christ, to serve our Church, our school, and our community with a focus on faith, academic excellence, and the celebration of each unique child.

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Statement of Beliefs

 

With the goal of moral and spiritual growth, we believe that

·         We must proclaim the gospel message of Jesus, build faith communities, celebrate through worship and serve others.

·         Each student is a unique child of God and must be valued.

 

With the goal of personal and social growth, we believe that

·         Commitment to creating confident, life-long learners that will become productive members of society is paramount.

·         Mutual respect amongst and between the students, staff and parents creates a wholesome, Christ-filled learning environment.

·         Student spiritual, emotional, academic and physical growth must remain a priority.

 

With the goal of academic excellence, we believe that

·         Parents are the primary educators of their children

·         Students should learn in a variety of ways and be actively involved in their learning.

·         A safe and healthy learning environment promotes success and is everyone’s responsibility.

·         On-going evaluation and improvement of the curriculum is crucial to the development of a sound educational program

2016 – 2017 Tuition** Schedule

 

 

NUMBER OF STUDENTS	SUBSIDIZED CATHOLIC	UNSUBSIDIZED CATHOLIC	NON-AFFILIATED CATHOLIC/ NON - CATHOLIC
1	$6,684.00	$7,434.00	$7,684.00
2	$12,865.00	$14,365.00	$14,865.00
3	$18,418.00	$20,668.00	$21,418.00
4	$23,971.00	$26,971.00	$27,971.00

**Tuition rates listed are rates for 2016-2017.  The new tuition rates for 2017-2018 will be published when they become available.

 

The above categories are defined:

 

SUBSIDIZED CATHOLIC:  Parish Approved and Eligible for Subsidy; Level A on Subsidy Form; OR recently moved, newly registered member with a letter from the former parish stating active membership, Level B on Subsidy Form. 

 

UNSUBSIDIZED CATHOLIC:  Level C on subsidy form. 

 

NON – AFFILIATED CATHOLIC / NON – CATHOLIC:  Non – Catholic family OR Catholic family who cannot show that they have been active contributing members of a parish for a year prior to this year’s subsidy request; Level D on Subsidy Form.

 

ADDITIONAL FEES: 

 

FAMILY REGISTRATION FEE:  $300.00 per family.  This fee is due upon acceptance or at the time of annual re-registration.  It is a non-refundable fee.

 

NEW STUDENT INITIAL APPLICATION FEE:  $75

 

**Stated tuition cost includes all fees except the Initial Application Fee for new students and the Family Registration Fee for all families.