Three things to know about financial aid right now

As the days grow longer and brighter, now is the perfect time to turn your focus to applying for financial aid for the 2021-22 school year. Families with students planning to attend a Diocese of Joliet Catholic school next year should apply for financial aid with the Catholic Education Foundation.

Here are three things you need to know about financial aid right now:

1. There is financial aid available

For the 2020-21 school year, more than $6 million in financial aid was made available to families within the Diocese of Joliet. Please don’t let tuition be the reason your student does not receive a Catholic education. The Catholic Education Foundation knows that Catholic education changes lives and its mission is to help families who desire a Catholic education for their students to afford it.

Families can apply for aid with the Catholic Education Foundation through the Foundation’s website at www. CEFJoliet.org. Additionally, families are encouraged to apply for a scholarship through Illinois’ Tax Credit Scholarship program at www.EmpowerIllinois.org.

2. What you will need to apply for financial aid

When completing your family’s financial aid application, you will be able to use your most recently completed tax returns. (For example, when completing your application in Spring 2021, you can use your 2019 tax returns.). You will also be asked to upload your most recently received W-2 forms. Finally, you will be asked to provide information on your monthly family expenses. If your family has experienced hardship, such as a medical emergency, job loss, or divorce, which is not reflected in your most recently completed tax returns, please be sure to use the narrative section of the application to explain how your family’s circumstances have changed.

3. Fill out financial aid applications as soon as possible

Applications to the Catholic Education Foundation are due March 1, 2020. Applications are accepted after this deadline, but if you are applying after this date or your application is incomplete, please be aware that you may receive a reduced award or no award, as the amount of tuition assistance available is limited. The earlier qualifying families apply, the better their chances of receiving financial aid, so be sure to have a plan and apply as soon as you can.

Catholic Education Foundation : 815.221.6127 : 16555 Weber Road, Crest Hill, IL 60403: http://cefjoliet.org/