Tuition Assistance Programs for New Students – 2024-2025 School Year
SMHS encourages all families that are concerned about their child’s accessibility to St. Michael to apply for tuition assistance. There are multiple programs available below and applications for more than one program are accepted. Any questions or concerns about tuition and assistance available should contact Lori Steib in the Registrars Office, Susan Thibodeaux in the Finance Office, or Principal Ellen Lee.
Louisiana Scholarship Program
The Louisiana Scholarship Program is designed to provide students in Grades K - 12 with additional opportunities to attend the non-public school of their choice.
• Applicants are eligible based on level of income for the family and Louisiana residency. Once applicants are chosen through a lottery process, Louisiana Scholarship recipients will be awarded the full amount of tuition only.
• The Louisiana Scholarship application window for the 2024-2025 school year begins December 11, 2023 and closes on January 17, 2024.
• Parents must identify their school(s) of choice in the application process. New applicants are also required to provide proof of eligibility to the school of first choice before their application is considered complete. Previous recipients of a Louisiana Scholarship who are currently in 8th grade must reapply to indicate their new school of choice – see flyer for more information.
• For more complete information on the Louisiana Scholarship eligibility requirements, please view the Family Participation Guide. Parents considering an application should contact the St. Michael Registrar for assistance as soon as possible.
A Parent LSP Application for 2024-2025 Webinar will be held on December 5, 2023 at 2pm. This webinar will provide guidance on the application process for both new and continuing students.
Click HERE for more information and to apply!
The State of Louisiana School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities
The State of Louisiana School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities is designed to empower families to choose the school that best addresses their child’s needs.
• The state holds a lottery to provide reimbursement funds for parents of students in Grades K-12 with identified exceptionalities who qualify as per the program guidelines, located at the link below.
• The diocesan St. Margaret of Castillo REACH Program provides this application to their parents. Contact should be made directly with the Special Education Office at 225-336-8735.
Click HERE for more information and to apply!
ACE Scholarship Program
The ACE Scholarships Program-Louisiana is designed to provide students in Grades K - 12 with additional opportunities to attend the non-public school of their choice. It is a Louisiana Tuition Donation Credit Program.
• Applicants are eligible based on level of income for the family and Louisiana residency. An ACE Scholarship provides partial tuition assistance.
• Application and acceptance to St. Michael High school is required.
• The ACE Scholarship application window for the 2024-2025 school year has not yet been announced but typically opens in February and closes in mid-April. There is a nominal processing fee for completing an application through FACTS.
• Any parent needing help with this process may contact the St. Michael Registrar for assistance.
Click HERE for more information and to apply!
Arete Scholars Program
The Arete Scholars Program is designed to provide students in Grades K - 12 with additional opportunities to attend the non-public school of their choice. It is a Louisiana Tuition Donation Credit Program.
• Applicants are eligible based on level of income for the family and Louisiana residency. An Arete Scholarship provides partial tuition assistance.
• Application and acceptance to St. Michael High school is required.
• The Arete Scholarship application window for the 2024-2025 school year has not yet been announced but typically opens in February and closes in May. Arete Scholarships are provided on a first-applied, first-awarded basis and new applications are accepted as funds are available. Priority is given to returning Arete students and applicants who attended school on a Louisiana Scholarship Program award during the previous school year. There is a nominal processing fee for completing an application.
• Applications for the Arete Program are made directly through the Arete website (www.aretescholars.org)
Click HERE for more information and to apply!
The Diocese of Baton Rouge Tuition Assistance Programs
Diocese of Baton Rouge families receiving assistance through Tuition Donation Credit Programs are also eligible for Black & Indian Mission Fund and Diocese of Baton Rouge Tuition Assistance for students enrolled in a Catholic high school or the special ed REACH Program.
All diocesan tuition assistance awards are apportioned to the school and not individuals, and the local school will inform the family of any award. Students who receive a scholarship from a student tuition organization (STO) or a state scholarship are ineligible for tuition assistance.
Diocese of Baton Rouge Tuition Assistance
The Diocese of Baton Rouge Tuition Assistance Program is designed to provide students in grades K-12 in Catholic schools with additional opportunities to further their Catholic education.
• Applicants are eligible based on level of income for the family and provides partial tuition assistance distributed according to need. Application for assistance is not a guarantee that assistance will be provided. A letter of special circumstance is highly encouraged to explain your personal situation.
• The Bishop’s Annual Appeal application window has not been announced yet but is typically open through mid-March. Application and acceptance to St. Michael High school is required.
• To be considered for funding, applicants must contact the school principal to obtain an application form. There is a nominal processing fee for completing an application through FACTS: https://factsmgt.com/parent-resources/grant-and-aid/
The Black and Indian Mission Fund
The Black and Indian Mission Fund (B&I) is designed to provide African American Catholics or Native American Catholics in grades K-12 in Catholic schools with additional opportunities to further their Catholic education.
Donations received by the national organization provide partial tuition assistance to Black or American Indian students in Grades K – 12 who attend Catholic schools based on financial need.
• Applicants are eligible based on level of income for the family and provides partial tuition assistance distributed according to need. Application for assistance is not a guarantee that assistance will be provided. A letter of special circumstance is highly encouraged to explain your personal situation.
• The Black and Indian Mission Fund application window has not been announced yet but is typically open through mid-March. Application and acceptance to St. Michael High school is required.
• To be considered for funding, applicants must contact the school principal to obtain an application form. There is a nominal processing fee for completing an application through FACTS: https://factsmgt.com/parent-resources/grant-and-aid/