News Summary
Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School has launched the ‘Catholic Promise’ scholarship to reduce tuition from $13,000 to $6,000 for eligible families. This initiative, funded by alumni, represents a significant investment in Catholic education aimed at making it more accessible while addressing declining enrollment. To qualify, families must meet specific income and parish registration criteria. The scholarship will open for applications in late 2025, with the goal of fostering community engagement and reversing declining enrollment trends in diocesan schools.
Grand Rapids—In a groundbreaking initiative, Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School has announced the launch of the “Catholic Promise” scholarship, which will significantly reduce tuition costs for qualifying families. Beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, the scholarship will lower tuition from approximately $13,000 to just $6,000, making Catholic education more accessible to families within the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
The “Catholic Promise” represents the largest investment in Catholic high school education in the history of the Diocese. Funded by alumni Dan and Sherry Bowen, both class of 1984, the program aims to address the rising costs of tuition that have outpaced family incomes and deterred enrollment in Catholic schools.
To qualify for the scholarship, families must be registered and in good standing at a parish within the Diocese of Grand Rapids, along with maintaining a household income of less than $300,000. The program is guaranteed for a minimum of ten years, with future sustainability contingent on its success.
Comprehensive Educational Investment
The “Catholic Promise” not only aims to alleviate the financial burden on families but also serves as an investment in the community’s spiritual and social fabric. The initiative is designed to inspire families to consider enrollment at Catholic Central and engage more actively with their local parishes, fostering a sense of community and connection. Currently, Catholic Central has an enrollment of 567 students, a figure that has seen a steady decline over the years.
Detailed Program Guidelines
Applications for the Catholic Promise scholarship will open on November 1, 2025. To further assist families in understanding the program, Catholic Central will hold three informational sessions later this month. The scholarship will cover all tuition costs beyond the $6,000 family contribution for those who meet the eligibility requirements, ensuring that awards significantly reduce the financial burden of education.
Context and Enrollment Trends
As of the 2024-25 academic year, the Diocese of Grand Rapids reported an overall enrollment of approximately 6,456 students across its 31 Catholic schools. The implementation of the “Catholic Promise” is a direct response to the increasing challenge families face in affording Catholic education, aiming to reverse the trend of declining enrollment by making it more financially viable for a broader segment of the community.
Bishop David J. Walkowiak has expressed that the introduction of the scholarship underscores the Diocese’s commitment to making Catholic education attainable for families who seek it. The initiative seeks to build a stronger Catholic educational community while encouraging continued participation in parishes.
The Catholic Promise scholarship initiative not only marks a transformative opportunity for families considering Catholic education but also reflects a broader commitment to enhancing the educational landscape in West Michigan. As Catholic Central looks to the future, it hopes that these efforts will revitalize enrollment figures and nurture the next generation of Catholic leaders.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Catholic Promise Scholarship
- Fox17 Online: Alumni Donation Creates Fund
- Wood TV: New Scholarship Will Cut Tuition
- MLive: Will Catholic Promise Help Remove Barriers?
- MHSAA: Northpointe Making Good Potential Chance
- Wikipedia: Catholic Education
- Google Search: Catholic Promise scholarship
- Google Scholar: Catholic education funding
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Catholic Education
- Google News: Catholic education scholarship
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
