Financial aid

Tuition Assistance Programs

The most significant reflection to be made from the policies of Venango Catholic High School is that no students will be denied admission because of financial need. However, all avenues of aid must be pursued. The following is a list of available tuition assistance programs for Venango Catholic High School:

The Bishop Alfred M. Watson Tuition Assistance Program

This program is sponsored by the Diocese of Erie and is based on financial need. Families must submit a financial statement of yearly income and expense. Awards vary in amount. Application forms will be provided by the school. The forms should be returned to the school which will forward them to the Diocese. There is a $10 processing fee. Checks should be made out to the Diocese of Erie. Last year Venango Catholic students received over $17,000.00 in financial aid from this program.

Venango Catholic High School Tuition Assistance Grants

Venango Catholic High School does provide direct tuition assistance grants. Students may receive awards up to a maximum of one half of tuition. The awards are based on a family’s financial need. To be considered for a grant, a family must apply for tuition assistance through the Bishop Alfred M. Watson Tuition Assistance Program.

Exchange Student Tuition Credit Program

Each year Venango Catholic plays host to at least two foreign exchange students. Families willing to welcome a student into their family for a year are given a tuition credit of $1,000.00. Venango Catholic works with FSL, Inc., in placing exchange students with our families. Any family interested in hosting an exchange student must be approved by FSL and VCHS.

SCRIP Program

SCRIP is a Tuition Rebate Program. With SCRIP fundraising, members simply do their regular weekly shopping with gift cards from some of America’s favorite retailers. A percentage of each gift card purchase is donated back to the school, with each families rebates going towards the reduction of their own tuition. Extended family and friends can help out too – all they have to do is designate which family’s tuition their donation should apply. For additional information, as well as a list of participating retailers and the rebate breakdown, you can review http://www.glscrip.com

The way the program works: each week participants will have the opportunity to order gift certificates from listed businesses. Every Monday an order will be placed through the school with the Great Lakes SCRIP Company. A percentage of each SCRIP that you order will be placed in an account with your name. In April, the administrator of the program will write a check to the school for the amount of money in your account. This amount will be subtracted from NEXT YEAR’S TUITION. For SCRIP forms and account information, please contact the school.

The State of Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program

This program awards tax credits to business firms who contribute money to foundations, which supply tuition assistance to students. Businesses have contributed money to either the Star Foundation or The Children’s Scholarship Fund. To be considered, a family must apply for tuition assistance through the Bishop Alfred M. Watson Tuition Assistance Program and / or the Children’s Scholarship Fund.

Children’s Scholarship Fund of PA

Since 1998, The Children's Scholarship Fund has raised over $5.5 million and has awarded over $5 million. Over 90% of contribution dollars received has been awarded as scholarships for families in our region.

The Children's Scholarship Fund awarded over 865 scholarships in the 2009/2010 school year to 677 families attending 37 schools in 14 Western Pennsylvania counties.

Contributions from businesses are being submitted for the 2010/2011 school year. Want to see if your family qualifies? Check now.