Financial Aid

Applying for Financial Aid: Qualification

Dear Parents,

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School begins enrollment for the 2011-2012 school year
on Friday, February 11. We enthusiastically invite you and your family to consider the
outstanding values-based education offered by our school. Are you considering enrolling or
reenrolling your child in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, but think you can’t afford it?
We want to be sure that you know about several scholarship programs and our parish tuition
assistance programs! The first thing you need to know is that our Pastor, Father Karl has said,
“If your family are active members of our church community, your child/children are entitled to
a Catholic education and I will do whatever it takes to ensure this will happen for your
child/children.” He and our parish community are firmly committed to making a Catholic
education available to all who desire to have one! Here are some opportunities that may be
available to your family:

Step Up for Children Scholarship

In the 2009-2010 school year, $106 million in scholarships were awarded to 28,927
students to attend private schools in the state of Florida under the income-based, Florida Tax
Credit Scholarship Program known as Step Up for Children. In 2010-2011, the scholarships
awarded were $4,106 per student and were applied toward the school tuition of $4,915 for an in-
parish student. As you can see, the difference of $809, which amounts to about $15.50 per week,
makes a quality Catholic education very affordable for qualifying families! In addition, parish
tuition assistance can also supplement that amount. For information see
http://www.stepupforstudents.org

McKay Scholarship

The John M. McKay Scholarship Program is a school choice program that allows
students with learning differences or disabilities who have received Individualized Educational
Plans (IEP’s) through the public school system, to attend private schools, which might better
serve their needs. The scholarship is equal to the full tuition of the private school. For further
information, please see http://www.mckayscholarship.com, www.floridaschoolchoice.org, or call
1-800-447-1636.

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish Tuition Assistance Program

If you are not eligible for any of the above assistance programs, but need tuition
assistance, contact Fr. Karl at the church office by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone
723-3636. Applicants will be required to fill out SMART Tuition Assistance paperwork through
the school office. A scholarship committee then determines the relative need of the applicants.
The deadline for applying for and receiving tuition assistance from the parish is May 2, 2011.
If you would like more information or want to schedule a tour of the school, please call
the school office at (321) 723-3631. We look forward to having you join our school family!

Sincerely,

Lourdes Wyatt
Principal

Applying for Financial Aid: The Process

Step 1: Request a Financial Aid package from Our Lady of Lourdes School Office.

Step 2: Compete the Parent Financial Statement (PFS) on paper or online for more expeditious processing. Be sure to print a copy of your PFS for your personal records.

Step 3: Submit copies of the following to Our Lady of Lourdes Financial Aid Director, Alice M. Hendrickson

Copy of original Parent Financial Statement (PFS)
Copies of all current W-2 forms
Signed copy of your families most current federal income tax returns (all forms and schedules)
All additional business expense and income related tax forms (if applicable)
Include payment $24.00 application fee in the form of check or money order payable to School and Student Service for Financial Aid

Letters providing additional financial information are always welcome. All information submitted to Our Lady of Lourdes Financial Aid Office is held in the strictest confidence.

SEPARATION/DIVORCE

In the case of separation or divorce, the assets of all parents are taken into consideration. Both custodial and non-custodial parents must complete a PFS and submit the necessary documentation. When a parent is remarried, the assets of the stepparent are considered a resource toward household expenses, bearing in mind the responsibilities of the step-parent to his or her own children. Please note that omission of this information may be a determining factor in a financial aid award.

Applying for Financial Aid: Determining Need

SSS determines need by using a formula that considers all areas of a family's financial situation.

Total income of parents
Family size
Medical/dental expenses
Savings and investments
Unusual expenses and debts
Number of children in tuition charging schools

Applying for Financial Aid: Notification of Award

When both the admission process and the Financial Aid application process are completed, a family will receive a letter of acceptance and a Financial Aid decision letter. If Our Lady of Lourdes is able to provide an award, the provisional award notification letter will detail the amount granted to the family.

Our Lady of Lourdes does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, sex or national origin in the administration of its admissions and educational policies financial aid programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.

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