Families seeking assistance covering the cost of a quality Catholic education can now apply for tuition assistance from the Diocese of Trenton for the 2016-17 school year.

Tuition assistance is awarded to families with children in grades kindergarten through 12 who are enrolled in Catholic schools and who meet certain criteria for financial need.

Up to one-half of the school’s in-parish tuition rate could be awarded to families with the greatest need. In 2015, 1,829 elementary school students and 1,019 high schools students were awarded financial assistance totaling more than $1.12 million.

For students in kindergarten through eighth grade, applications submitted by March 3 will be considered in the first round of evaluation. The final opportunity to apply for diocesan financial aid is May 15.

For high school students, awards are based on a rolling submission, with each high school having separate information available online. That information can be found here.

The application process is managed by Private School Aid Service, and was designed especially for families with children attending Catholic school. This calculation is based on a moderate standard of living for the geographic area of the applicant and estimates the ability of a family to pay for private education. The process also includes a comprehensive review and verification process.

Cost to submit a hard-copy application is $31 and an online application is $27.

For more information, including applications in English and Spanish, visit http://www.dioceseoftrenton.org/financial-assistance-2/, or contact [email protected]