Financial Aid for Catholic Schools Explained in 5 Easy Steps
Have questions about financial aid for Catholic schools like St. Agnes? Check out our guide to financial aid and tuition to help your daughter enroll.
Choosing a Catholic high school for your daughter is both an exciting and important decision. For many families, understanding financial aid for Catholic schools is a key part of planning for the future.
At St. Agnes Academy, we want the financial aid process to be clear, fair, and supportive. Financial aid is an important part of our mission to make a St. Agnes education accessible to families from a wide range of financial backgrounds – while preserving the strength and sustainability of our academic programs.
Take a look at our clear, step-by-step guide for how financial aid works at St. Agnes Academy.
What is The Financial Aid Process at St. Agnes Academy?
We structured financial aid to give every family equitable consideration while ensuring aid is awarded responsibly and confidentially. Understanding how each step works can help you plan with confidence.
1. Application
The financial aid process begins with submitting an online financial aid application through Blackbaud Financial Aid Management, our designated third-party platform.
- An application fee is required and paid directly to Blackbaud.
- Families are asked to upload complete federal tax returns and required supporting documentation.
- In households where parents are separated, divorced, or unmarried, each parent is required to complete a separate application.
Because financial aid funds are limited, we encourage families who anticipate needing assistance to complete the application early and submit all required materials by the stated deadlines.
2. Admission Is Separate from Financial Review
At St. Agnes, your daughter’s admission decision is made independently of the financial aid process.
Admissions is based on academic readiness, character, and fit within the St. Agnes community – not on a family’s financial status. The Financial Aid Committee does not participate in admissions review.
Only after an admission decision is made do we evaluate financial aid applications. This separation ensures fairness and consistency for all applicants.
3. Fees, Technology, and Payment Options
When planning for St. Agnes, it’s important for families to understand the full cost of attendance. In addition to tuition, there are required fees that support the student experience, including enrollment-related, program, and technology fees.
All students are issued a school-managed laptop, supported through a required technology fee. Families who qualify for financial aid also receive assistance toward this required laptop expense.
Tuition payments are managed through Blackbaud Tuition Management, which offers multiple payment options, including installment plans. This flexibility allows families to choose a payment structure that best suits their household budget. Financial aid awards are applied directly to tuition and reflected in the tuition agreement.
4. Financial Review
Once your application and documentation are complete, your financial information is reviewed using Blackbaud Financial Aid Management and evaluated by the St. Agnes Financial Aid Committee.
The review considers a range of factors, including:
The review considers a range of factors, including:
- Household income
- Number of dependents
- Family expenses
- Special financial circumstances
Our goal is to understand each family’s financial situation holistically. Financial aid at St. Agnes is need-based, and awards may cover a portion of tuition and required technology costs. Full tuition grants are rare and require significant demonstrated need.
Each family is reviewed individually, with care, confidentiality, and respect.
5. Approval and Award Notification
After the financial review process is complete, families are notified of their financial aid decision. Award information is shared alongside enrollment materials so families can clearly understand their overall financial commitment before finalizing enrollment.
Financial aid applies to tuition and required laptop costs. It does not typically cover expenses such as uniforms, books, or optional program fees, though limited used items may be available.
Our goal is to ensure families have the information they need to make confident enrollment decisions.
Final Note: Financial Aid Is Reviewed Every Year at St. Agnes
Financial aid awards at St. Agnes Academy are not automatically renewed. Families who receive aid are required to reapply each year and submit updated financial information so that we can determine if financial aid is still a good fit for your family as life changes.
Continued eligibility depends on demonstrated financial need, a student’s academic progress, and citizenship status. Annual review allows us to remain equitable and responsive to families across all grade levels.
Have More Questions About Financial Aid for Catholic Schools? Let Us Know!
At St. Agnes Academy, financial aid is one of the ways we live out our Dominican mission, ensuring that financial circumstances do not stand in the way of providing your child with a transformative educational experience rooted in faith, truth, and purpose.
If you’re exploring financial aid for Catholic schools and want to learn more about tuition, fees, timelines, and payment options at St. Agnes Academy, we invite you to contact our Admissions team today. We would be glad to answer specific questions you may have!
