Two separate scholarship programs – The Bishop’s Tuition Assistance Program and the STAR Foundation – help families in the Diocese of Erie afford Catholic school tuition. You need only apply once to be eligible for both scholarship programs.

Tuition Assistance Application Form

 

The Bishop's Tuition Assistance Program for Elementary and Secondary Schools

The Diocese of Erie annually provides tuition assistance for students to attend Catholic elementary or secondary schools. Awards are made based solely according to financial need.

 

STAR Foundation Tuition Assistance

The STAR Foundation provides tuition assistance based on need to students enrolled in a Catholic School in grades K-12. To be eligible for STAR, you must meet the following income guidelines established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

# Dependents  Maximum   Income
1

 $123,697

2

 $142,211

3

 $160,275

4

 $179,239

5

 $197,753

6

 $216,267

 

STAR Foundation grants are funded by business contributions through the Pennsylvania Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Program and distributed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. If your business is interested in learning more about EITC, please contact Erie Catholic for more information.

 

Additional Tuition Assistance and Scholarship Opportunities 

Scholarship Deadline  Applicable Ages Application Fee Criteria Format Description Amount Notification Contact Information

Catholic Diocese of Erie

STAR/BTAP

March 1, 2023 or April 15, 2023

Please check the application for the appropriate deadline.

Preschool - 8th grade $20.00

Must meet the following income guidelines:

Number of Dependents

Maximum Income (PA)

1

$123,697

2

$142,211

3

$160,275

4

$179,239

5

$197,753

6

$216,267

*Add $17,017

for each additional child

Paper - Mailed to the Diocese of Erie by deadline A needs-based scholarship program that provides tuition assistance to students who enroll in Catholic Elementary School. You must be a PA resident. Varied June 2023

Diocese of Erie

Tuition Assistance Program

PO Box 8070

Erie, PA 16505-0070

814-824-1111

www.eriercd.org

John Tramontano Foundation May 2023 to the School Business Manager. Applications available March 1st K-8th grade $0 Random Lottery Drawing process - one application per student, but only one verification form per family Paper - Submitted to School Office or Business Manager The foundation was established to provide scholarships to grade school students so that they can attend a school of their choice. You must be a resident of Erie County and be enrolled in the school. Max. of $500 June 2023 with payment sent to the school September 2023

School Business Manager

JPT Foundation

19 Wilcox Street Girard, PA 16417

jptfoundation@gmail.com

GECAC Tuition Assistance First come, first serve from Feb through April 2023 K-8th grade $0

Must meet the following income guidelines of up to $96, 676

*Add $17, 017 for each additional child

Paper/Online application submitted to GECAC A needs-based scholarship program for residents of Erie County, PA. Approx. $500 June 2023

GECAC

Attn:  Linda DeFelice

18 West 9th Street

Erie, PA 16501

814-459-4581

Ldefelice@gecac.org 
Junior Achievement of Western PA Achievement Scholarship

Opens February 1st

Must be postmarked by April 1, 2023
K – 8th grade $0

Must meet following OSTC guidelines

Paper – Mailed to:

JA of Western PA: Scholarships

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College

4213 Station Rd, Logan Carriage House

Erie, PA 16563
A needs-based scholarship program that provides tuition assistance to students residing in a low-achieving school boundary. Up to entire tuition cost May 2023

Robin Mascharka

JA of Western PA:Scholarships

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College

4215 Station Rd., Logan Carriage House

Erie, PA 16563

814-983-0340

rmascharka@jawesternpa.org

Barber National Institute

Preschool Scholarship
First come first serve basis beginning July 2023 Pre3 and PreK $0

Financial Need – one application per family

Paper – Submitted to the Barber National Institute via fax, email, or mail A needs-based scholarship program for preschool students enrolled in a PA preschool. Maximum of $1,000 August 2023

Christie Laneve

The Barber National Institute

100 Barber Place

Erie, PA 16507

814-878-4052

ChristieLaneve@barberni.org

Ellen Curry Foundation

Elementary School Scholarship
Applications available March 2023 K – 3rd grade $0

Must meet income guidelines

Paper application submitted to:

The Ellen Curry Foundation

c/o HACE

606 Holland Street

Erie, PA 16501-1285
A financial assistance program for residents of housing owned or subsidized by the Housing Authority of the City of Erie.

Not to exceed $2,000 per child

Renewed annually through 8th grade as long as the family remains a resident of public housing or Section 8 and remains in good standing with their school.
July 2023

The Ellen Curry Foundation

c/o HACE

606 Holland Street

Erie, PA 16501-1285

814-452-2425

Tuition Assistance overview and FAQs

 

Application Deadlines

  March 1, 2023

Families with children applying or attending an Erie Catholic high school

ONLY Families with Children applying or attending high school AND children applying or attending an Erie elementary school, including Pre-K

  April 15, 2023

Families with children applying or attending ALL regional high schools and elementary schools

Families with Children ONLY applying or attending Erie elementary schools, including Pre-K children

 

School-Based Tuition Assistance

Several Erie Catholic schools have tuition assistance programs specifically for their school’s families.  Please check with individual schools for more information.