News & Events

October 17, 2018

As of the end of September, there is much excitement throughout the Diocese because 264 of our school students have received over $1,000,000 of tax credit scholarships! Unfortunately, St. Joseph School had 43 families apply for a scholarship, but haven’t received enough donations to award one scholarship. Awards can only be given if the school has sufficient donated dollars for the next student in line to receive a full scholarship. For 2018, there still remains an untapped potential in Illinois of over $55 million in scholarship donations eligible for the 75% Illinois income tax credit.  It’s definitely a WIN-WIN as students receive 100%, 75% or 50% of their tuition and the donor receives a 75% Illinois tax credit on the amount of their donation to the SGO, the scholarship granting organization. It is not too late to make a donation for the 2018 tax year.

See https://empowerillinois.org/donors/ for more information.

About the Tax Credit Scholarship Program

 

February 22, 2018

Empower Illinois Scholarship Application Opens Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7:00 p.m.

We are pleased to announce the Empower Illinois scholarship application system will open on Tuesday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. Our system has been enhanced to make it easier for families and to manage the demand expected for tax credit scholarships to private schools throughout Illinois.

The new application will be available through the Empower Illinois website. It will be a two-step process.

  1. Reserve: On Feb. 27 at 7:00 p.m. families will complete a brief online form containing name and contact information, child name and preferred school. This will time stamp your application for the first-come, first-served scholarships.
  2. Apply: After reserving your place in line, families will be emailed a unique link and use their reservation code to complete the application. Applications will be sent on a rolling basis, over the course of a few weeks. After receiving the application email, families will have 3 days to complete the application and submit all required documents.

Our goal with this two-step process is to make it easier for families and provide more time to ensure your application is accurate and complete.

We understand that as parents and guardians, your life is busy. That’s why the reservation system will be accessible from mobile devices as well. Everything you will need for the reservation step should be top of mind. Once you get your application link, please use a computer to submit the required documents and finish the application accurately, without rushing.

If a student has already received a scholarship award letter, they do not need to reserve or apply. However, all other students should reserve and apply through this system beginning Feb. 27, regardless of how far you may have gotten through our old application.

More information, including helpful documents, FAQs and instructions, can be found on our website.

We know your children only get one chance at a great education. We are grateful for your patience and trust as we work to improve access to quality education for every child, in every neighborhood.

December 20, 2017

Scholarship Opportunity

We have received more information on how families can apply for a scholarship through the Invest in Kids Act. Please note, the application process start date has changed to January 31, 2018. Click here to see information on how to apply. Click here for frequently asked questions.

Donation Opportunity

We have received more information on how donors can donate to program. Click here to see step-by-step directions on how to donate. Click here for frequently asked questions.

 

December 12, 2017

This past year we hosted our third annual Spring Festival. It was a great success with the fostering of fellowship, friendship and fundraising! With your help, we would like to make the Spring Festival in 2018 an even bigger success!

If you are able to help, please fill out this response form and return it to the Parish Center.

 

November 21, 2017

On August 31, 2017, Governor Bruce Rauner signed into law the “Invest in Kids Act,” a comprehensive education funding bill for Illinois. The law includes a provision for tax credit scholarships, which provide strong incentives for donors to support non-public school scholarships for low-income students in the state. Illinois students from low-income families may use these new scholarships to attend a non-public school of their choice.

This legislation represents a major step forward that will help create more equity in school funding throughout Illinois, and for the first time provide real school choice for students and their families.

Click here to learn how to donate or apply for a scholarship.