Catholic University aids diocesan students with tuition assistance
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Christina Leslie | Staff Writer
Though many families worry the high cost of their child’s college education might derail dreams of a bright future, financial support from The Catholic University of America, Washington, is aiding them to stay on track to appreciate the superior academic opportunities to grow both in faith and in knowledge.
CUA reports that, in the current academic year, there are 209 students enrolled from the Diocese of Trenton; 183 of them, or about 88 percent, received some type of scholarship assistance. The total combined student support for these students this past year was more than $3.06 million.
Catherine Zeismer, the 2014 recipient of The Most Rev. David M. O’Connell Service Scholarship, is one of the students of the Diocese who is benefiting from the university’s support. The graduate of St. Rose High School, Belmar, had set her sights on the campus in the midst of the nation’s capital while still in grammar school.
“I knew I wanted to go to CUA since the seventh grade,” said Zeismer, as she recalled accompanying her mother on the Diocese’s biannual pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception a few years ago. “It’s the best of both worlds: a green campus, but in the city,” she continued. “I wanted a smaller school where I felt at home, for you can know everyone more personally.”
As a CUA student, Zeismer has continued to nurture her penchant for service projects by taking advantage of the opportunities right at her fingertips. “All service here is done through campus ministry,” she explained, “and I loved working in a nearby nursing home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor.” The freshman also was moved by joining her fellow students in taking food to the park near the Metro stop and speaking with the homeless.
“Faith has more of a presence here,” Zeismer continued. “It is more part of the routine for students. There is the Basilica right there, and it is amazing to see all the people that travel to it. Also, there is a small chapel on campus where I go.”
Nearly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students from dioceses across the country directly benefited from funding provided for financial scholarship programs through the CUA National Collection. A combination of the proceeds from this collection, institutional funds and other scholarship awards, enabled CUA to award financial aid to 80 percent of their students.
The Diocese of Trenton’s contribution to the 2014 collection was $134,898, an increase over the previous year’s figure. Overall, CUA received nearly $5.9 million from almost all 195 archdioceses and dioceses in the United States through the National Collection.
Zeismer plans to spread her love of CUA and its educational and spiritual opportunities next year as she becomes an OA, or orientation advisor for incoming students. “I will do my best to make others fall in love with CUA too,” she said.
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By Christina Leslie | Staff Writer
Though many families worry the high cost of their child’s college education might derail dreams of a bright future, financial support from The Catholic University of America, Washington, is aiding them to stay on track to appreciate the superior academic opportunities to grow both in faith and in knowledge.
CUA reports that, in the current academic year, there are 209 students enrolled from the Diocese of Trenton; 183 of them, or about 88 percent, received some type of scholarship assistance. The total combined student support for these students this past year was more than $3.06 million.
Catherine Zeismer, the 2014 recipient of The Most Rev. David M. O’Connell Service Scholarship, is one of the students of the Diocese who is benefiting from the university’s support. The graduate of St. Rose High School, Belmar, had set her sights on the campus in the midst of the nation’s capital while still in grammar school.
“I knew I wanted to go to CUA since the seventh grade,” said Zeismer, as she recalled accompanying her mother on the Diocese’s biannual pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception a few years ago. “It’s the best of both worlds: a green campus, but in the city,” she continued. “I wanted a smaller school where I felt at home, for you can know everyone more personally.”
As a CUA student, Zeismer has continued to nurture her penchant for service projects by taking advantage of the opportunities right at her fingertips. “All service here is done through campus ministry,” she explained, “and I loved working in a nearby nursing home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor.” The freshman also was moved by joining her fellow students in taking food to the park near the Metro stop and speaking with the homeless.
“Faith has more of a presence here,” Zeismer continued. “It is more part of the routine for students. There is the Basilica right there, and it is amazing to see all the people that travel to it. Also, there is a small chapel on campus where I go.”
Nearly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students from dioceses across the country directly benefited from funding provided for financial scholarship programs through the CUA National Collection. A combination of the proceeds from this collection, institutional funds and other scholarship awards, enabled CUA to award financial aid to 80 percent of their students.
The Diocese of Trenton’s contribution to the 2014 collection was $134,898, an increase over the previous year’s figure. Overall, CUA received nearly $5.9 million from almost all 195 archdioceses and dioceses in the United States through the National Collection.
Zeismer plans to spread her love of CUA and its educational and spiritual opportunities next year as she becomes an OA, or orientation advisor for incoming students. “I will do my best to make others fall in love with CUA too,” she said.
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