CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte’s “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign is funding $188,894 in tuition assistance this fall that will help students at five diocesan schools receive a Catholic education.
The 2013 FFHL campaign funded capital projects, endowments and other needs across the growing diocese. Included in the $65 million campaign was a tuition assistance endowment available to the diocese’s 20 schools.
This year’s funds are going to five diocesan schools that applied for the 2025-’26 school year: Asheville Catholic School, $62,000; Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville, $63,000; Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro, $15,500; Sacred Heart School in Salisbury, $34,500; and St. Michael School in Gastonia, $13,894.
The funds are expected to help participating Catholic families who have the greatest financial need.
The FFHL Tuition Assistance Endowment, with a market value of over $4.6 million, is administered by a committee consisting of the diocese’s schools superintendent, chief financial officer and members of the diocesan school board. Available income from the endowment is distributed to qualifying diocesan schools that apply each year for student financial aid.
An endowment is a permanent fund, the principal of which is never touched, but the income from which can be used according to the wishes of the donor organization or person. Endowments provide a way to generate income and help sustain the long-term strength and viability of the recipient parish, school or ministry.
To date, a total of $1,179,324 in distributions from the FFHL Tuition Assistance Endowment has been awarded to the diocese’s schools.
“The FFHL campaign continues to have a significant and meaningful impact in our diocese,” added Jim Kelley, diocesan director of development. “The over $1 million in tuition assistance that has been distributed to date helps students receive an education that will literally change their lives.”
To qualify for the funding, the school must receive local parish support of at least $500 per participating Catholic student and must have awarded all of its tuition assistance funds it already has for that school year. Schools that do not receive $500 per student in parish support may be considered if there are extenuating financial circumstances that preclude this level of support.
Qualifying schools may request funds from the endowment for participating Catholic students with a financial need.
The FFHL Tuition Assistance Endowment is one of seven endowments funded through the FFHL campaign.
— Catholic News Herald