A Future in Catholic Schools Starts Here
Are you interested in Catholic school for your child? Worried that the cost may be a barrier to your family? Support is available through Virginia’s Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credit (EISTC) program and other scholarship opportunities.
Bringing Catholic Education Within Reach
MPSF supports Catholic school families primarily through Virginia’s EISTC program, one of several scholarship opportunities offered by our schools to help make faith-based education accessible to families of diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
29 Schools, One Easy Application
All schools within the Diocese work with our foundation using the FACTS Grant & Aid application. With one application, your family is considered for all types of need-based financial aid offered by our Catholic schools, including EISTC.
Getting Started
The first step is to find a school near you and inquire! Their team will reach out to you with more information about the application process and available scholarships, including EISTC awards.
Find a School
Our Diocese is home to 29 outstanding Catholic schools across Central, Eastern, and Western Virginia, and they are all ready to meet you! Use the school locator to find a school near you.
Start Your Search
Frequently Asked Questions for Families
EISTC awards through the McMahon Parater Scholarship Foundation are available to eligible students attending both Diocesan and approved private Catholic schools within the Diocese of Richmond. For a list of the Virginia schools, use the school locator linked above. Distribution of EISTC funds is made to the school on the student’s behalf and credited towards tuition and the cost of education.
The Code of Virginia sets eligibility criteria for the EISTC program. Students must be residents of Virginia with a household income of less than 300% of the federal poverty guideline (or 400% for students with disabilities). For grades K-12, students must meet one of the following criteria: are eligible to enter Kindergarten or 1st grade; attended a VA public school for at least half of the current or prior school year; were not VA residents in the preceding school year; were prior recipients of an EISTC scholarship. For students entering pre-Kindergarten, students must be 4 years old by September 30th, and their parent/guardian must certify in writing that they were unable to obtain services through Head Start or the Virginia Preschool Initiative. Both Catholic and non-Catholic students are eligible for EISTC.
If your child does not meet the eligibility requirements for the EISTC program, there are other types of tuition assistance and faith-based scholarships available that may apply to your family, such as Parish Sharing, McMahon Parater endowment scholarships, and other donor-funded tuition assistance. Each of these scholarships have varying eligibility criteria, but your family can be considered for all types of need-based aid through the FACTS Grant & Aid application. Contact the school of your choice to learn more!
All families seeking EISTC awards from the McMahon Parater Scholarship Foundation must submit a FACTS Grant & Aid application form, including supporting documents and a $35 application fee. The suggested deadline is March 1 for existing families or June 1 for new families and families with business income, but many of our schools work with families applying outside of these dates, especially military families. We encourage you to contact the school of your choice to learn more about their admissions timeline and scholarship availability.
Tuition assistance awards are based on the family’s demonstrated need, as considered by the FACTS Grant & Aid application. Per the program guidelines, EISTC scholarships are limited to the per-pupil amount distributed to the school district (in which the student resides) as the state’s share of the standards of quality (SOQ) costs. Often, schools may combine funding from multiple sources to create a personalized award for each family that meets their needs and circumstances.
Yes, you do have to reapply. To be considered for EISTC and other types of tuition assistance, families must reapply through FACTS Grant & Aid each year to address changes in family circumstances, such as your household income and family size.
Contact Us
We are here to help! For questions about the donation process, the impact of your charitable gift, or applying for Catholic school scholarships, contact us today.