Bishop’s Scholarship Fund

First Step to Financial Aid – Applying for the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund

We encourage our prospective and current families to apply for tuition assistance if they are concerned about affordability.  We are excited to partner with you.  Your first step is to complete an application to the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund.

Foundations in Education Inc. is committed to strengthen and transform the mission of Catholic education in the Diocese of Bridgeport, and one of its signature programs is the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund. The mission of the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund is to help families afford a Catholic Education. In this past year, the BSF awarded over $3 million in aid to families at the Diocesan elementary schools in Fairfield County. All families who have a child or children registered, or are new applicants, in a Diocesan-sponsored Catholic elementary school in Fairfield County (Grades K -8) and are in financial need of tuition assistance are encouraged to apply through FACTS online, www.FACTSmgt.com/aid. Consideration may be given to families with multiple elementary school-aged children. Applications are evaluated and determinations made by the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund Committee, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or gender. Awardees’ families are notified through FACTS and scholarship distributions are made directly to the school on behalf of the successful scholarship applicant.

Applications open February 1. The deadline for Returning Families to apply is March 15. The deadline for New Families to apply is April 15 but has been extended until the remaining funds are awarded. Click here to read more.

Who can apply for tuition assistance?

All families who have a child or children registered or are new registrants in a Diocesan-sponsored Catholic elementary school in Fairfield County (Grades K-8) and are in financial need of tuition assistance.

How do I apply?

Complete the FACTS Grant & Aid application, answer all questions applicable to the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund application, and upload all required supporting documentation. It is best to scan and upload your documents however families can now upload files in JPEG or PDF format from a mobile device. Faxed and mailed documents are no longer accepted.

Please note there is a non-refundable $30.00 application processing fee payable by credit card or bank information. Only one application per family is required annually.

What is the deadline?

The deadline for RETURNING families (families with a child currently enrolled in K-8 at any Diocesan-sponsored Catholic elementary school) is March 15, 2024 and for NEW families April 15, 2024. Only completed FACTS Grant & Aid applications submitted online by the deadline with all required supporting documents will be considered.

How is tuition assistance awarded?

Tuition assistance is awarded to eligible students based on:

• Program eligibility

• Financial need

• Timing of completed application submission

• Confirmation of school registration

When will I be notified of a decision?

Award notifications will be emailed through FACTS to returning families beginning early May 2024. New families will receive email notifications through FACTS beginning late May 2024.

How do I accept the award?

You will be given one week to accept the award online by the designated deadline. Credit to your tuition account will be made once your registration and enrollment are complete and verified.

What if I do not receive an award?

Please note that although every effort is made to award tuition assistance to all those eligible for our program, there is limited funding available each year. If you are denied an award, please reach out to your school’s administration immediately about additional options that may be available to you.

What documents will I need?

• 2023 W-2 Forms (W-2s are mailed out in January by your employer. If not received by January 31, contact your employer.) 

• 2022 or 2023 IRS Federal Tax Return, including any supporting Schedules and Forms (If you do not receive W-2s, you must submit a 2023 Tax Return.) 

• If you cannot locate your tax return, contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-908-9946 and request a tax return transcript.

• If you do not file taxes, contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-908-9946 and request verification on non-filing.

I am having trouble uploading my forms.

It is best to scan and upload your documents however families can now upload files in JPEG or PDF format from a mobile device. Faxed and mailed documents are no longer accepted. Please contact your school for assistance.

For any questions or clarification of the FACTS application process, please contact FACTS directly at 866.441.4637.