An Affordable Catholic Education
At St. Mary-Basha Catholic School, we believe that every child should be able to have a Catholic education. Therefore, it is our goal to make Catholic education affordable for all who desire it.
We will work individually with each family to help ensure your child’s education at St. Mary-Basha Catholic School becomes a reality. ALL families are encouraged to apply for financial assistance. By doing so, it allows the school to provide assistance to those who need it.
Your options for assistance include, but are not limited to the following:
- Financial assistance through School Tuition Organizations (STOs) that provide scholarships based on financial need, donor recommended scholarships, or both
- Privately funded scholarships
- Pastor Scholarships
For a consultation on financial assistance for your family, please contact us at admissions@stmarybashacatholic.org.
Resources for Financial Assistance
Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA)
Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA) are available to all Arizona K-12 students and contracts are administered by the State of Arizona. The ESA program allows families to choose the best school for their needs and have their educational tax dollars follow them to that school. It expands educational opportunities for all Arizona students outside of the public school system by providing public funding that can be used for a wide variety of educational expenses (i.e. private school tuition, educational therapies, tutoring, and more).
- Required paperwork: Birth certificate for student and proof of residency for the parent applying.
- Requirement: Resident of Arizona, from age 5 (before January 1st) through 12th grade. Depending on age, some PreK students may qualify regardless of grade.
- STOs cannot be used along with ESA
- Funding depends on many factors, and typically families across the state received between $6,300-$7,200 per student.
- The ESA Parent Handbook and website has more information on ESA and ESA allowable expenses.
If a family chooses to accept ESA, the school finance office must be notified. The Finance Director will assist St. Mary-Basha families on the ESA process.
School Tuition Organizations (STOs)
STOs are non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporations, organized for the sole purpose of obtaining contributions through the state of Arizona’s Tuition Tax Credit Program and then using those contributions to provide scholarships to families who choose to enroll their child in a private school.
Catholic Education Arizona (CEA)
CEA provides scholarships through the tax credit program for students at St. Mary-Basha Catholic School and other Diocesan schools. We require all of our families seeking financial assistance apply through CEA. The application is available starting in February and is due annually by April 15th. The completed application process includes a submission of your current year tax return. Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding. Late applications are not eligible for early funding decisions (round 1) and are subject to available funds. Apply for CEA at https://www.fairapp.com/Index.aspx
School code: 700 / School password: cea700
Financial aid covers a portion of the tuition costs. The amount of the award is determined by CEA after reviewing your completed application and available funds. We encourage families that qualify for need based scholarships to apply to CEA and at least two other School Tuition Organizations (STOs).
CEA provides scholarships through the tax credit program for students at St. Mary-Basha Catholic School and other Diocesan schools. We require all of our families seeking financial assistance apply through CEA. The application is available starting in February and is due annually by April 15th. The completed application process includes a submission of your current year tax return. Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding. Late applications are not eligible for early funding decisions (round 1) and are subject to available funds. Apply for CEA at https://www.fairapp.com/Index.aspx
School code: 700 / School password: cea700
Financial aid covers a portion of the tuition costs. The amount of the award is determined by CEA after reviewing your completed application and available funds. We encourage families that qualify for need based scholarships to apply to CEA and at least two other School Tuition Organizations (STOs).
Donor-Recommended Scholarships
There are some STOs that provide scholarships based upon donor recommendations. Each family is encouraged to find a few family members, coworkers, or friends who are willing to redirect their tax liability to that particular family’s scholarship fund. Those funds are then made available to assist you with your tuition. Financial need is a consideration for the award of these scholarship funds, along with recommendations. We highly recommend you consider utilizing this great program; however, we also encourage you to learn as much as you can before beginning the process. Contact us today for more information!
Eagle Referral Program
Families of St. Mary-Basha Catholic School are the best promoters of Catholic Education and our school community. You are an invaluable asset sharing your personal experience through simple word of mouth to families, neighbors and colleagues. To show our appreciation for your support and to thank you for your trust and confidence, we want to reward you! Your family will receive a $500 tuition credit for helping us enroll new families to St. Mary-Basha! If you know a family who would benefit from a Catholic Education at St. Mary-Basha, please have them contact the school office to schedule a tour. For full details on the program click the link below.
Pastor Scholarships
Applicants may apply for Pastor Scholarships that are available to St. Mary-Basha Catholic School students. A Catholic Education Arizona (CEA) application is the first step in the process to be considered for an additional needs-based scholarship. A completed CEA application ensures a third-party financial review. Additional qualifications for the Pastor Scholarship are determined by the pastor and principal. Applications are available through each family's FACTS account and are tied to the Brophy Scholarship Application. If a family has ALREADY applied to Brophy they will need to complete the google form HERE. If a family has not yet applied, they first need to apply through their FACTS account followed by the Google form. The application opens in the fall.
Please let us know if your financial situation changes during the year. Open and early communication is critical in this process. We want to work with you.