Scholarship Information

What is Fund A Dream?

Fund A Dream (FAD) is a special tuition assistance scholarship program crafted to support Catholic education. Through this initiative, donors are paired with deserving students. Each student selected for a FAD is granted a $2,500 scholarship, significantly reducing their annual tuition fees for one school year.

Who Can Receive Fund A Dream Tuition Assistance?

FAD is open to students from grades K-12 who demonstrate financial need of at least $2,500. Priority will be given to renewal applicants and new applications will be awarded as funds are available.

What is the Scholarship Timeline?

Schools may send application recommendations for the 2025/26 school year from 1/15/2025 to 3/15/2025. Both the application and attestation must be received by the Catholic Community Foundation by 3/15/2025 for the student to be considered.

What is the School's Role?

All schools that are interested in receiving Fund A Dream scholarships are required to complete the School Recommendations - 2025/2026 Fund A Dream (FAD) Scholarships Application. One application will be submitted for all scholarship renewals and new applicants. During this process, schools must also collect attestations from all the students that they are recommending.

Steps to Complete your School's Fund A Dream Application:

• Review the list of students who received FAD in 2024/2025 - if applicable.
  • High Schools this will include any incoming 9th graders who received FAD in 2024/2025 at their Elementary School.
• Generate a list based on priority of up to 12 new students to recommend.
• Provide families with an attestation to complete and turn back to your school.
• Complete the School Recommendations - 2025/2026 Fund A Dream (FAD) Scholarships Application.
  • We recommend schools save this after they complete it for their own records.
• Send attestations in one email either as individual documents or as one file (saved as a .doc or .pdf) to Kaitlyn Novicky, knovicky@catholiccommunity.org, using the file name: 2025 FAD Signed Attestations - NAME School - DATE
  • Students will not be considered if we do not have an attestation on file for them by 03/15/2025
• Once you receive the award statuses of your recommended students from the Catholic Community Foundation, it will be the schools responsibility to communicate with the recommended student's parents/guardians.

What is the Parent/Guardian's Role?

If a parent/guardian is interested in their student being considered for a Fund A Dream scholarship they should contact their school. During the application process, the parent/guardian will be responsible for completing and returning an attestation per school communications. Your school will contact your regarding the status of your student's application.

What is the Attestation?

The attestation is a signed agreement by the applicants parent/ guardian that states they understand and agree to being considered for finical aid through Fund A Dream and that if their child/student receives a FAD scholarship they will participate in the below outlined aspects of the program. Schools are responsible for distributing these to the families they are applying on behalf of and submitting the completed ones to Kaitlyn Novicky, knovicky@catholiccommunity.org by March 15, 2025.

What are the Responsibilities of the FAD Student and School to Share with the Participating Donor?

For successful participation in the FAD program, both students and schools have specific obligations:

• Fund A Dream recipients must provide certain basic details, including their first name, grade, and other essential information, to the respective donor. This helps foster a connection and transparency between the student and the donor.
• Student Progress Communication throughout the academic year; the school will initiate communication regarding the student's progress. This update allows donors to understand the impact of their contribution and stay informed about the student's educational journey.
• As part of this commitment, each school will extend an invitation to donors to attend an all-school mass during Catholic Schools Week. This event promotes unity, gratitude, and a sense of community among donors and the students.

• Continuation of Funding: It's essential to understand that while the Fund A Dream program offers invaluable support, continued assistance for a student in subsequent years is not guaranteed. Recipients and their families should remain proactive in exploring and securing other financial avenues for long-term educational funding.
• By adhering to these guidelines and fostering a collaborative environment, both students and schools can optimize the benefits of the Fund A Dream Tuition Assistance initiative and ensure its sustained success.

What About Current 8th Graders Who Are Eligible to Have Their FAD Scholarship Renewed? 

Elementary Schools

If you have an 8th grader who currently receives a Fund A Dream scholarship, please contact their parent/ guardian as well as their chosen high school admissions team - if possible. High schools will be responsible for applying on behalf of an 8th grader in order for them to be considered for renewal as a 9th grader. Parents are encouraged to reach out to their student’s high schools as soon as possible about this.

High Schools

Please be aware that incoming 9th graders are eligible for Fund A Dream renewal even though they did not initially receive their scholarship while enrolled in your school. It is your responsibility to apply on their behalf. Make sure to communicate this with your incoming families.