8 Ways to Afford a Catholic High School Education
As a parent, you may not realize all the financial pathways available to make a Catholic high school education affordable. To many people’s surprise, the majority of Catholic high school families receive some kind of financial assistance or tuition discount. Our goal is to make Catholic education affordable and accessible to all through an individualized approach that works for you.
Here are eight different ways to make Catholic high school more affordable for your family. Whichever of these options catches your eye, your first step should be to reach out to the admissions office of your Catholic high school. They’re your one-stop shop for all the information you’ll need to make your child’s education as affordable as it needs to be.
- Discount programs
Many Catholic high schools offer families who are registered parishioners in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee a student discount, and discounts are often offered to children of full and part-time employees of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
- Scholarships
Catholic high schools offer incoming students from both public and private schools a wide variety of scholarships to apply for. Some schools also offer scholarships to children of alumni.
- Outside scholarships
There are many third-party scholarships that will assist in paying for a Catholic high school education. Catholic Financial Life and Catholic Order of Foresters are two organizations that offer such scholarships to the children of their members.
- Financial assistance
Many families are eligible for financial assistance, depending on their level of need and the availability of funds at the individual schools.
- Tuition discount for multiple students
Many schools will offer tiered discounts for multiple students from one family who attend at the same time.
- Private school choice program
Catholic high schools participate in the Private School Choice Program, which includes the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and/or the Racine Parental Choice Program. If your family qualifies, you could have the opportunity to attend Catholic high school without paying tuition.
- Wisconsin tax credit
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue – Schedule PS (Private School) allows parents to deduct up to $10,000 per student in grades 9-12 at a Catholic high school, regardless of income. Parents with students in grades K-8 at a Catholic grade school may deduct up to $4,000. If your student moves from grade 8 to high school in the same tax year, you may claim both tuition expenses up to $10,000.
- Flexible payment plans
There are multiple ways that families can spread out tuition payments throughout the year.
Contact a Catholic high school near you to learn more about financial options and tuition assistance deadlines.