GRAND RAPIDS, MI – As schools are gearing up for an unprecedented academic year, the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids is working to make sure no student gets left behind due to financial struggles from the coronavirus pandemic.
The diocese has announced it will give away $1 million in scholarships to Catholic school students who may be unable to afford tuition due to the financial ramifications of the COVID-19 crisis.
The tuition assistance will be available to both returning families and new families entering the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Bishop David Walkowiak said at a virtual press conference July 2.
“As we prepare for a safe return to school, I want to make sure that no student is left behind because of the financial impact that the coronavirus has had on so many families,” he said.
Superintendent David Faber said the tuition program is a “game changer” for the school system of 6,340 students. Faber said many families have expressed uncertainty about whether they’ll be able to return next year due to financial struggles caused by COVID-19.
“All those students, truly desiring of Catholic education, will not have that barrier of tuition,” he said.
This year’s scholarship program is double the amount that the diocese already gives out in scholarships each year. The $1 million COVID-19 funding will be available in addition to more than $500,000 in need-based scholarships that the diocese already allocates to to more than 1,000 students annually.
RELATED: Bishop’s initiative spurs Catholic schools enrollment growth
“I, myself, was a student in Catholic schools for many years,” Walkowiak said. “I became the person who I am because of the education that I received in those Catholic schools, so you can understand that I want as many students as possible to receive the same opportunity that I had.”
Families can apply for the tuition assistance at CatholicSchools4U.org. Through the application form, families are asked to list their circumstances that make them eligible for the funding, which will be verified by the family’s principal or pastor.
“Our team will be here to serve you to make sure that there’s a smooth opportunity for you to avail yourself of these tuition assistance dollars,” Faber said. “Ultimately, we want to make sure that every family has an opportunity to access this, so we’ll be granting this on a first-come,first-serve basis.”
The diocese will allocate funds in rounds, starting July 13. Once funds are allocated in the first round, there will be a second round for families to apply two weeks later, Faber said.
School is set to start for the diocese Aug. 19, Faber said.
More on MLive:
Parents want children back in class in Kent County, survey says
Grand Rapids school board approves $10.6M budget cut for next year due to coronavirus
Ferris State wants students to live alone to slow the coronavirus on campus
"assistance" - Google News
July 06, 2020 at 06:15PM
https://ift.tt/31Q1nJ6
Grand Rapids Diocese gives $1M in tuition assistance to families hit financially by COVID-19 - mlive.com
"assistance" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2Ne4zX9
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Grand Rapids Diocese gives $1M in tuition assistance to families hit financially by COVID-19 - mlive.com"
Post a Comment