News Summary
Catholic Central High School announces the Catholic Promise scholarship initiative aimed at significantly reducing tuition for qualifying families from approximately $13,000 to $6,000. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, this 10-year philanthropic commitment expands access to Catholic education for families with incomes under $300,000. An application process opens November 1, and informational sessions will be held to guide interested families through eligibility requirements, including GPA and attendance standards. This initiative is supported by community alumni contributions and highlights the growing enrollment in Catholic schools within the Diocese.
Grand Rapids, MI – A new scholarship initiative named the Catholic Promise scholarship is set to significantly lower tuition for students at Catholic Central High School, starting in the 2026-27 school year. The scholarship aims to reduce net tuition for qualifying families from approximately $13,000 to only $6,000 per student, making Catholic education more accessible.
The Catholic Promise scholarship is a part of a 10-year philanthropic commitment designed to alleviate the financial burden on families. Specifically, this scholarship will benefit families with a household income of under $300,000, expanding educational opportunities for more students in the community.
To qualify for the scholarship, families must be registered and in good standing at a parish within the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Interested families will need to submit a household income statement along with their application, which opens on November 1. The Catholic Promise Fund will cover any tuition amounts above the $6,000 family contribution for eligible recipients, ensuring that financial hurdles do not prevent students from receiving a quality education.
Catholic Central High School’s President highlighted the rising tuition costs as a barrier that has made Catholic education unaffordable for many families in the area. Currently, Catholic Central serves an enrollment of 567 students and is one of five high schools under the Diocese of Grand Rapids, which reports a total enrollment of approximately 6,456 students across 31 Catholic schools as of the 2024-25 school year.
To support families through this transition, Catholic Central will conduct three informational sessions regarding the scholarship, where attendees can learn more about the application process and the necessary qualifications. In addition to the household income requirements, families must also comply with specific expectations from the school, including maintaining a minimum GPA and attendance rate for their students.
This initiative has garnered praise from the Bishop of Grand Rapids, who emphasized the importance of making Catholic education more attainable and encouraged supporters to continue backing Catholic schools in the region. The Catholic Promise scholarship was made possible by the philanthropic efforts of alumni, Dan and Sherry Bowen, whose contributions play a key role in supporting educational endeavors.
As Catholic schools in the Diocese experience enrollment growth, which has risen by 7.23% since the pandemic, the need for financial aid and resources has become increasingly prevalent. In response, the Diocese plans to maintain and expand offerings for scholarships and financial aid in conjunction with the Catholic Promise scholarship to further support families seeking quality Catholic education.
For additional information about the Catholic Promise scholarship, including qualification criteria and eligibility, families can visit catholicpromise.org.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Catholic Promise Scholarship
- Google Search: Catholic Promise Scholarship Grand Rapids
- MLive: GR Promise Now to Cover Bachelors Degrees
- Wikipedia: Scholarship
- Fox17: New Welcome Scholarship at Grand Rapids Catholic Schools
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Scholarship
- MLive: How has the GR Promise Zone Scholarship Changed
- Google News: Grand Rapids Educational Initiatives
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