A Catholic Education is Within Financial Reach

Many people are under the assumption that private schools are attended by students from elite families with wealthy backgrounds. Surprisingly, the mix of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds in private schools is sometimes more pronounced than in traditional public schools. Families have discovered a wealth of information from the Diocese of Orlando on the available scholarships and tuition assistance available so your child can attend a Catholic school in Orlando for the best education possible at a cost that will fit your budget.Scholarship Funding OrganizationThis organization is a state-approved nonprofit program that recently created the Gardiner Scholarship to provide for purchases of books, supplies, tuition, uniforms, et cetera. Students eligible for the Gardiner Scholarship must be Florida residents in pre-K programs (beginning at age 3) through 12th grade. Students must be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, Prader-Willi syndrome, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, Williams syndrome, or be a 3- to 5-year-old child at high-risk.The McKay ScholarshipThe McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program was created in 1999 to provide scholarships for students with intellectual disabilities, speech or language impediments, hearing or visual impairment, learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury, or autism spectrum disorder. Students are eligible for tuition reimbursement and material items related to school including uniforms and supplies.AAA Scholarship FoundationThis foundation provides assistance to economically disadvantaged families and families with children with disabilities. This scholarship allows these families to select the best learning opportunities for their children by opening the door to schools outside their normal districts and paying fees for tuition and school supplies at private schools.Step Up for StudentsStep Up for Students is a freedom of choice scholarship for disadvantaged families to choose learning opportunities for their children that would normally be financially unavailable to them. Step Up for Students offers different scholarships including the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program for economically disadvantaged families.Voluntary Prekindergarten Education ProgramThe Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program is free to all four-year-olds in Florida regardless of family income. VPK builds a solid learning foundation for children to enter kindergarten ready to learn.Not every scholarship is available at each of the schools within the Diocese of Orlando. Please contact the Catholic school in Orlando of your choice or visit their website to determine which scholarships and tuition assistance are available. Our blogs provide information about financial assistance, our schools, and how families can help their children in school.