Through grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance, we help make a Catholic education possible for families with demonstrated financial need.
The Foundations of Faith grant supports students enrolled in Joliet diocesan elementary schools. These formative years offer an important opportunity for children to nurture and deepen their faith while receiving a strong Catholic education.
Eligibility
Typical award: $1,000
The Light of Christ grant supports students enrolled in one of the seven Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Joliet, recognizing students who are growing in faith and allowing the light of Christ to shine through their faith, actions, and academics.
Eligibility
Typical award: $1,000
The Peace, Love & All Good Things award, made possible through the Kaminski Family Foundation, supports students and families in need. Inspired by the belief that through peace and love, good things can happen, the award gives particular consideration to students from single-parent households.
Eligibility
Typical award: $500-$1,200
The Catholic Education Foundation also manages scholarships established by donors for students who meet specific criteria. Requirements may be based on factors such as the school a student attends or other conditions established by the donor.
The Kazma Family Foundation, in conjunction with the Catholic Education Foundation of the Diocese of Joliet, offers four-year scholarships to eligible eighth-grade students enrolling in CEF-supported Catholic high schools.
Since 1997, the Kazma family has helped make Catholic education possible for students and families in need. Their generosity has opened doors for more than 1,000 students attending Catholic high schools within the Diocese of Joliet. The Class of 2031 marks the 25th group of students supported and mentored by the Kazma family.
Eligibility
Applicants for the Class of 2031 must:
Application deadline: February 1
Applicants are encouraged to plan ahead for the February 1 deadline.
The Classroom Angel Grant recognizes the dedication of Catholic school teachers and the important role they play in forming students academically and spiritually.
CEF provides a $1,000 tuition grant to eligible children in grades K–12 of full-time teachers employed at diocesan schools. Through the grant, CEF seeks to ease a portion of a teacher family’s tuition costs while expressing gratitude for their commitment to Catholic education. Details will be sent to the schools by January 15.
Important Dates:
Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Families applying for need-based assistance begin with an online application through FACTS. Certain programs, including the Kazma Family Foundation Scholarship and Classroom Angel Grant, require additional application materials.
FACTS reviews the financial information provided by applicants and determines a calculated or demonstrated need. The Catholic Education Foundation then reviews the application to determine eligibility and the appropriate award.
The application portal opens on November 1 and closes on April 1.
The Catholic Education Foundation will accept 2025 tax returns as the basis for financial aid evaluation.
The application deadline is February 1. Applicants should review the scholarship criteria and plan ahead to complete the required application materials.
The grant is available to eligible children in grades K–12 of full-time teachers employed at diocesan schools. The award is $1,000, and funds are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
No, only one application is required per family, even if your family has a mix of students in both grade school and high school.
The Catholic Education Foundation does not send awarded funds directly to families. Scholarship and grant awards are distributed directly to the student’s school in the fall.
