Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
2019 schools appeal to raise $1.4 million
Published: November 7, 2019
Even with parish subsidies and constant fundraising, cost is a barrier to hundreds of families who can’t afford a Catholic education for their child. Help students in Arkansas receive a Catholic education by supporting the Catholic Schools Scholarship Appeal.
The seventh annual Catholic Schools Scholarship Appeal kicks off Nov. 16 to assist schools statewide in raising funds for need-based tuition assistance. This year, applicant families qualified for $3 million to assist 765 students. Parishes and schools have committed $1.6 million in assistance, leaving $1.4 million still needed and thus the need for this appeal
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor addressed a letter to previous donors thanking them for their contributions that allowed 48 students to receive tuition assistance ranging from $500 to $1,000 per family in 2018. He also quoted a mother who said there was no way her children would have been able to attend Catholic school without this financial assistance.
"They love the school, the teachers, their friends, the priests, the church, and the activities they do every day. With all the struggles we have been through the past two years, for my kids to be able to attend this wonderful school has really made a difference in the way they are facing life at their young ages."
A donor form was also provided to all parishes in English and Spanish to be distributed the weekend of Nov. 16-17. Parishioners may mail donations via check to: Catholic Schools of Arkansas Scholarship Appeal, Diocese of Little Rock, P.O. Box 7565, Little Rock, AR 72217-7565. Donors may also contribute via credit card by donating online.
"Every dollar received from donations will be used to aid those in need of financial assistance," the bishop added.
FACTS Management Company, a third-party provider, reviews the applications and determines if a family qualifies for tuition assistance. This appeal was created in 2013 to close the gap in providing assistance to all the families who requested it. Donations help families who could not otherwise afford to offer a Catholic education to their children. This effort is sponsored by the Office of Catholic Schools. For more information, contact Marguerite Olberts, associate superintendent, at (501) 664-0340, ext. 394.
