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Vision for the Future Frequently Asked Questions What is the Vision for the Future education fund?
The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington began the Vision for the Future Education Fund in the early 1990s with gifts from several private foundations, corporations and individuals. The diocese uses income generated from the fund to provide tuition assistance to qualified families so their children can attend parish, parochial, or diocesan regional schools. Funds used for the purpose of tuition assistance are also acquired through the diocese's annual Share in the Spirit collection which occurs the fourth weekend of September.
How significant is the need?
For the current 2012-2013 school year, $573,000 has been provided in tuition assistance to the families of 297 students. While this support is significant, there were more than 600 other children whose families qualified for aid but unfortunately there was not enough money available to help them. A financial evaluation of all applicants determined that more than $3.2 million would have been needed to meet the needs of all qualifying families.
How is financial aid determined?
The diocese contracts with an independent organization to review tuition assistance applications and to evaluate each applicant's financial need. Upon evaluation completion, awards are then made by the diocese based on the family's financial need and the amount of money available for distribution from the diocese's Education Trust. All applicants are notified accordingly by the diocesan development office by mid-May.
Don't schools and parishes have their own tuition assistance funds?
A few parish schools do set aside a small portion of their budgets to provide tuition assistance for needy families. Most of the schools in the diocese do not have such funds.
How do I apply for tuition assistance for my family? Applications for the 2012-2013 school year can no longer be accepted. However, applications for the 2013-2014 school year are now available. Families with children registered in a parish, inter-parochial or diocesan school who believe they are in need of financial aid are encouraged to apply.
To be considered for tuition assistance, parents must submit an application to FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment for evaluation. Although paper applications are now available in your school’s business office, you are encouraged to apply online at www.factstuitionaid.com. FACTS representatives are available to guide you through the application process and to answer your questions. Simply call 1-866-315-9262. Once your application has been completed, you will be required to mail the following information to FACTS: - Copies of your most recent tax forms including all supporting tax schedules
- Copies of your 2012 W-2 forms for both you and your spouse
- Copies of supporting documentation for Social Security Income, Welfare, Child Support, Food Stamps, Workers’ Compensation, and TANF
- Non-refundable payment of the $30 application fee
- Signed and completed paper application (unless you have applied online)
Applications and all required documentation must be received by FACTS no later than March 1, 2013. Applications received after March 1 cannot be considered for tuition assistance through the diocese.
For more information, call the diocesan development office at 302-573-3121 or email Rita Mendoza, Assistant to the Director, at rmendoza@cdow.org.
I think this is a cause that deserves greater support. Can I make Vision for the Future part of my estate planning?
Yes. Call Deborah A. Fols, the diocesan Development Director, at (302) 573-3125 or write her at dfols@cdow.org.
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