Financial Aid

For the family of an eighth grader to be among the first to be considered for financial aid at St. Francis de Sales, the following prerequisites must be fulfilled:

1. The student must take a January Entrance Exam at St. Francis de Sales
2. The student must receive a letter of acceptance
3. The family must file for financial aid by the deadline on the application (Early March, 2008)
4. The student must pay the registration fee and schedule classes for freshman year and return contract by late March, 2008

Instructions about the application for financial assistance from St. Francis de Sales will be mailed – along with the tuition contract – to those students who are accepted to St. Francis de Sales. The financial aid application must be completed online on the Private School Aid Service website by the printed deadline (February 15th for current SFDS students and March 15th for incoming students). [Our School Authorization code is: 1100.] St. Francis de Sales will receive a report from this service in April, 2008. You will be notified of your financial aid status by the Financial Aid Office in mid-May, 2008– or earlier. Families are reminded that there is a limited amount of financial assistance available directly from St. Francis de Sales.

Applications for Financial Aid from Big Shoulders Fund, Inc. are available at the school from January 2008 until April 2008. We advise that you complete the form, attach all requested documentation and return it to St. Francis de Sales before April 1, 2008. Applicants must have and maintain a 2.25 GPA, as well as qualify for the federal Free/Reduced Lunch Program.

Many students at St. Francis de Sales qualify for a free or reduced lunch. Please consider attempting to qualify for the Federal Free/Reduced Lunch Program, as it has become a criteria used for many federally funded programs, as well as a criteria throughout the Archdiocese for their financial aid programs (Big Shoulders Fund, etc.) which have previously benefitted many students at St. Francis de Sales.

NEW! St. Francis de Sales is now a participant in the Sallie Mae K-12 Loan Program. Advantages of the Loan Program include:
* Grades K through 12 are eligible for the loan program
* High Approval Rates
* Interest rate is as low as Prime + 1, fees are as low as 2%
* Interest rate and fees based on Borrower's or Co-Borrowers credit history (whichever is better)
* Minimum amount that can be borrowed is $1,000 up to the cost of education. Up to 60% of the tuition amount (not to exceed $6,000) can be borrowed to cover school related expenses such as books, transportation, extracurricular activities, computers, etc.
* 20 years to repay with no early pre-payment penalties
* Minimum monthly payment is $30
* Loan can be used to cover past due balances

To apply for this loan, see the Sallie Mae website.

Financial Aid Facts

Nearly forty percent of the students at St. Francis de Sales receive some sort of scholarship or financial assistance.

The average amount of assistance is more than $600.00 per school year.

The financial assistance is based upon need and has some stringent grade point average, community service, discipline and attendance requirements.

A number of African-American students at St. Francis de Sales receive aid from LINK Unlimited. There is a rigorous screening for this program. These students receive aid based on need and have stringent grade point average requirements, service requirements and summer responsibilities.

LINK students receive an average of $2,500.00 per school year. To find out more information on the LINK Unlimited program, please call 773-487-5465.

Some Things to Remember About Financial Aid

You are reminded that applications far outrun the ability of St. Francis de Sales to meet the needs of its families. We do attempt to extend assistance to as many families as possible before our funds are exhausted.

The criteria to apply for assistance directly from St. Francis de Sales High School is more comprehensive, as factors such as attendance record, grade point average, behavior, school involvement, as well as need are taken into consideration.

1. The student MUST maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.15, or "C." This standard will be reviewed after each semester and students will have the next semester to raise their grade point average up to or beyond this requirement, should it be deficient.
2. The student MUST NOT be on disciplinary or attendance probation.
3. The student is expected to be active and IN GOOD STANDING in a minimum of two school activities (i.e., athletics, club or activity, school newspaper, student council, etc.).
4. The student must fulfill any annual service requirement and is expected to volunteer additional service to the school for such things as Open House and additional recruiting and development events when requested.
5. Parents and guardians are expected to volunteer their services for at least two projects or events throughout the school year.
6. This grant DOES NOT include the cost of books, uniforms or required fees set by the school (i.e., fundraising, graduation fees, Advanced Placement tests, transcripts, etc.).

Please remember that we consider your financial aid information to be of a confidential nature. There are many families who apply for grants whom we are unable to assist. It is important that your award remain confidential so as not to cause discontent among the school community. Please advise your student of the importance of this confidentiality.

Also remember that families may have to make some lifestyle changes and be prepared to make personal sacrifices to allow their child or children to attend a Catholic high school that offers academic excellence within a safe and disciplined environment.

Families will be notified in May regarding the status of their applications.

See additional information on Scholarships (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).

All Catholic and private schools in the state of Illinois are prohibited from promising or awarding scholarships, financial assistance, work study or any monetary awards based upon a student's athletic talents, as per the rules of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).