Starting in January, any parents interested in their child attending St. Patrick School during the 2023-2024 school year can apply for scholarships funded by state aid and individual/business donors.
But don’t wait!
Although applications will be accepted through April 1, applications are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applications will be time-stamped, and it is expected that thousands of people will apply.
Eligibility
To be eligible, your household income must be no more than 300% of the federal poverty level. You could qualify for full or partial tuition coverage as follows:
- Less than $46,435 – 100% tuition
- $46,435 - $62,750 – 75% tuition
- $62,750-$75,300 – 50% tuition
Documents
To apply, the following documents will be required:
- Federal tax return – Copy of your family’s most recent tax return. If your family did not file a tax return, and you receive WIC or SNAP benefits, you may submit your statement of WIC or SNAP benefits.
- Proof of Illinois residency (i.e., current utility bill or current driver’s license)
- Proof of student’s age (i.e., birth certificate or federal/state ID or passport)
- Letter of acceptance or enrollmentat an eligible, participating, non-public school – Call St. Patrick School at 217-423-4351 for this document.
Need assistance?
If you have any questions or need assistance with this task, please call Carla Hahn at the church rectory. Her number is 429-5363.
Apply
To learn more and to apply online, visit Empower Illinois.
financial Assistance
Thanks to generous donors, we offer many scholarships for our students! All scholarships require that a parent or guardian fill out a FACTS Financial Aid Application.
Fr. Martin Mangan Scholarship
Scholarships are awarded each year for students attending St. Patrick School or St. Teresa High School. Applicants and their families must be active and participative members of Ss. James and Patrick Parish for at least six months. To apply for the next school year, a letter should be sent to the following address by the end of May:
Father Martin Mangan, Scholarship Fund
742 E. Clay Street
Decatur, IL 62521
Virginia Jean Hanes Scholarship
This scholarship is in memory of Virginia Jean Hanes (nee Parks). A scholarship form will be sent home with students during the school year. This scholarship is based on financial need to help offset tuition.
Dorothy M. Hilligoss Murphy Scholarship
This scholarship fund helps students attending St. Patrick School between 2014-2023. The Estate of Mrs. Dorothy Hilligoss Murphy requested that two $500 scholarships be awarded to students attending St. Patrick School based on the financial needs of the family. Mrs. Murphy was a dedicated teacher who taught for twenty years at St. Patrick School during the 1970s and 1980s. This is a yearly application. A scholarship form will be sent home with students during the school year.
McCoy Scholarships
Thanks to contributions from John Eugene "Jack" McCoy and Barbara Ann Witzman McCoy, several scholarships are available to St. Patrick School students. To be eligible for these scholarships, you must be a member in good standing of the Catholic Church. A scholarship form will be sent home with students during the school year.
-Honoring Monsignor George Powell- $500 -Honoring Monsignor Federic Klasner- $500
-Honoring Reverend Jeffrey A. Grant - $500 -Honoring Reverend Donald Wolford - $500
-Honoring Ms. Jan Sweet - $500 -Honoring Sister Rosemary - $500
-Honoring Father Andrew South - $500 -Honoring Mother Patricia Ryan - $500
-Honoring Father Terance Tracey - $500 -Honoring Father Thomas Masterson - $500
-Honoring Father Frances J. Ostendorf- $500 -Honoring Father Dennis Kollross - $500
-Honoring Father Martin Mangan- $500 -Honoring Father Edward Adanski- $500
-Honoring Shirley May McCoy Sunni- $500 -Honoring Father John Burnette- $500
-Honoring David Lee McCoy- $500 -Honoring John Eugene "Jack" McCoy- $500
-Honoring Donald Joseph McCoy- $500 -Honoring Jane Bernadette McCoy Hirschinger- $500
Sister Lucy Education Fund Full Tuition Scholarship
The Sister Lucy Education Fund was established in honor of Sister Lucy Spinner, a principal at St. Patrick School in Decatur, Illinois, for most of her 50-year career in education. All Jr. High students are invited to apply for this scholarship for the upcoming school year. Students are to submit a typed letter. Areas of consideration to be included are: academics, Mass attendance, parent involvement, school involvement, service hours, concern for others, volunteerism, composition, number of years in attendance at St. Patrick School, and any other information that may be considered important. This letter of application is to be written by the student.
Kathleen Zahner Single–Parent Scholarship
Kathleen Zahner, a former Ss. James & Patrick Parishioner, received assistance for her son who attended
St. Patrick School. In her estate, she provided a personal scholarship for students in single-family homes
based on need.
Find out why St. Patrick School is the perfect fit for your family!
St. Patrick School can be very affordable. We offer a variety of financial aid options and scholarships to help offset tuition.
The first step in applying for financial aid or scholarships is to sign up for FACTS account and fill out a financial aid application.
In addition to getting scholarships, FACTS provides tuition payment plan options.
affordable education
State of illinois scholarships
School scholarships
To apply for financial assistance or scholarships, please fill out the FACTS Financial Aid Application at https://online.factsmgt.com/aid. The school will let you know when applications are being accepted. Typically, they are accepted in January and February each year.
To sign up for or see payment plan options, please visit https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/42PF7. Sign ups typically open in May of each year for the upcoming school year.
If you have any questions, please call the FACTS Parent Help Line at (866) 441-4637 or call Carla at the Parish Office at (217) 429-5363.
Click on the graphic below or visit this link to watch a tutorial about Empower Illinois: Empower Illinois Tutorial.