CHARLOTTE — Enrollment for the 2020-’21 school year is open for all 19 Diocese of Charlotte Catholic schools, and to help families hurt economically by the COVID-19 pandemic, diocesan officials have set up a special tuition assistance program.
Diocesan leadership, in conjunction with school administrators, developed the Emergency Tuition Assistance program to provide needed financial aid to any family financially impacted by the pandemic. The application process is simple and does not require submission of tax returns.
“We made the application process as easy as possible so families are not hesitant to apply,” said Bill Weldon, the diocese’s chief financial officer and chief administrative officer.
Through this new program, current and prospective Catholic school families who have lost income because of the pandemic, and cannot afford to pay some or all of the school’s tuition, can apply for temporary tuition assistance for the 2020-’21 school year.
The Emergency Tuition Assistance funds are separate from existing tuition assistance funds, which are also available to families each year based on need.
“Our goal is to not have a single student withdraw (or fail to re-enroll) because of the financial ramifications of COVID-19,” Weldon said.
The new program is being implemented at all 19 schools in the diocese. To apply, a family must complete a separate application that is available from their school. Applications will be reviewed and financial assistance awarded by the school’s principal and a committee of two staff members.
Emergency Tuition Assistance funds are temporary but renewable based on continued need.
“The COVID-19 Tuition Assistance program that was initiated and implemented system-wide has allowed us the opportunity to continue to provide quality Catholic education to families while recognizing that this is a financially precarious time,” said Debbie Mixer, interim schools superintendent. “This is an example of the community working together to further the mission of ourCatholic schools.”
The diocese’s Catholic school system includes nine schools in the greater Charlotte area (Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools) and 9 parish-based schools around the diocese and one diocesan school. Several schools offer special learning programs to meet the needs of diverse learners. In many parts of the diocese, a Catholic education from pre-kindergarten through high school is available.
All of the diocese’s Catholic schools are accredited through Cognia (formerly called AdvancED).
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
More info
At www.gonccatholicschools.org: Get more information about any of the diocese’s 19 Catholic schools, enroll online and learn how to apply for financial aid. Questions? Please call the school of interest directly for more information.