Financial Assistance & Scholarships

Tuition at a Quincy Catholic elementary school is less than half of the actual cost to educate a student. Therefore, every family receives tuition assistance. However, we understand some families need additional help. If you have any questions about the assistance opportunities below, please contact Sara Reuschel at [email protected] or (217) 779-3157.

Tuition Assistance Program

The Priority Application Deadline for QCES families to complete and submit their application for tuition assistance for the 2022-2023 school year is Thursday, March 31, 2023.

FACTS Applications for QCES tuition assistance will be accepted after the March 31st Priority Deadline, but the longer people wait to apply, the less tuition assistance may be available to be awarded to families applying after the March 31st Priority Application Deadline.

The Tuition Assistance Program, coordinated through the QCES Foundation, includes scholarships based on demonstrated financial need. To ensure impartiality and sensitivity to privacy, the schools employ the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment to compile applications for assistance and to recommend amounts to be awarded.

The same application can be used for the Quincy Catholic Elementary Schools and QND.  There is a one-time non-refundable online application fee of $40 per family. FACTS accepts all major Credit Cards (Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover).

The FACTS Application must be completed and submitted online. Paper copies cannot be completed and submitted. If you need assistance with completing the online application, please contact the Principal of the school where you wish to enroll your child(ren) and they will be happy to make arrangements for you to receive help in applying and submitting the online FACTS Application.

Depending on your application some or all of the following documents may be required:

• IRS Federal Income Tax Return, including all supporting schedules (the year of the tax return depends on the tax requirements of your school). If applicant and co-applicant file separately, we require both tax returns for the same tax year.
• Copies of all the current year W-2 Wage and Tax Statements for both the applicant and co-applicant.
  NOTE: If you are applying before you have received all the current year W-2 Wage and Tax Statements, please submit them as soon as they become available.
• Copies of all supporting tax documents if you have business income/loss from any of the following:
  • Business - send Schedule C or C-EZ and Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization
  • Farm - send Schedule F and Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization
  • Rental Property - send Schedule E (page 1)
  • S-Corporation - send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1120S (5 pages), Schedule K-1 and Form 8825
  • Partnership - send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1065 (5 pages), Schedule K-1 and Form 8825
  • Estates and Trusts - send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1041 and Schedule K-1

Click here to access the FACTS online application.

Father Augustine Tolton Scholarship

Submission deadline is Thursday, March 31, 2023

The Fr. Augustus Tolton Scholarship is a QCES full-tuition scholarship (K-8) for one or more children awarded to one family registered at each of the four Quincy Catholic parishes (Blessed Sacrament, St. Anthony, St. Francis, and St. Peter) who have demonstrated financial need as determined by information provided by the family on the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment Application Form. Since the scholarships are need based, the names of the four families who are awarded a Fr. Augustus Tolton Scholarship will not be disclosed and will remain confidential.

Fr. Augustus Tolton Scholarship Application Packet (PDF - Updated Feb. 7, 2023)

Newcomer’s Scholarship

Submission deadline is Thursday, March 31, 2023

The QCES Foundation Newcomer’s Scholarship is a partially need-based full-tuition scholarship that is awarded annually to one student in Grades K - 8, either Catholic or non-Catholic, whose family does not currently have a child enrolled in one of Quincy's four Catholic elementary schools. Since the scholarship is partially need-based, the name of the student who is awarded the QCES Foundation Newcomer’s Scholarship will remain confidential.

Newcomer’s Scholarship Application Packet  (PDF - Updated Feb. 7, 2023)

St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship

Submission deadline is Thursday, March 31, 2023

The QCES Foundation St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship is a need-based full-tuition scholarship that is awarded annually to two families of students in Grades K - 8, either Catholic or non-Catholic, who do not currently have a child enrolled in one of Quincy's four Catholic elementary schools. The scholarship is intended for students of color, non-Catholic students, students below poverty level, or students with disabilities. Since the scholarship is partially need-based, the name of the student who is awarded the QCES Foundation St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship will remain confidential.

St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship Application Packet  (PDF - Updated Feb. 7, 2023)

Empower Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship

Empower Illinois is a Tax Credit Scholarship for K-12 students that covers up to 100% of private school tuition up to a maximum of approximately $13,000. The scholarships are need based. The application is a two-step process. Applicants must first reserve their place in line by completing a brief online form, then a full application must be completed.

For detailed information on applying and donating to the Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Program, please visit EmpowerIllinois.org.

Tuition Payment Plan

Enrolling in a FACTS Tuition Payment Plan (TMP) allows you to select a payment option that best suits your financial needs.

Monthly Payments

Spread your tuition balance over monthly installments. Payment Methods Offered: Credit Card, Automatic Bank Draft

Please note, payments made through a debit or credit card are assessed an additional charge for processing.

For more details about the options above and to enroll in the FACTS Tuition Payment Plan, create an online account:

Click here to access the FACTS Tuition Payment Plan (TMP).

Illinois Tax Credit

Illinois residents are eligible for the Illinois Tax Credit for Private School Tuition and Fees. This tax credit provision allows parents to write off 25% of their eligible education expenses for their children, up to a maximum credit of $750. Eligible expenses include tuition, book fees, and lab fees in excess of $250. Talk to your tax advisor about this special credit.

Gene Grawe Fund

Families can participate in the Gene Grawe Fund to help offset tuition. Participating families may purchase gift cards offered through many retailers. These businesses donate a percentage of the profits into the scholarship fund which is then distributed to the tuition accounts of the families participating. Relatives and friends of families can also purchase cards to generate funding.

For detailed information including merchant lists, please visit GeneGraweFund.org or stop by the office located in the lobby at St. Peter Church, 2600 Maine Street.