How To Prepare For The 2019 Tax Credit Scholarships

Within the next two weeks, Empower Illinois and Big Shoulders Fund will be open for applications for the Illinois Tax Credit Scholarships. The Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program was created in Illinois to benefit children whose educational options are limited by household income. At St. Francis de Sales High School, we want to make sure that our families have all the information needed so that they are able to apply for the wonderful opportunity.

St. Francis de Sales will have space available for parents to come and apply for the scholarship. Doors will open 30 minutes before the application process for both Empower and Big Shoulders Fund. Below you will find a list of important dates, times, and a list of documents needed to help prepare you for the day of the application. Please note that for both Tax Credit Applications it is first come, first serve. We highly recommend that parents plan accordingly and apply ASAP so that they do not miss out.

Important Dates:

• Empower Illinois - January 15th, 2019 at 7pm (doors will open at 6:30 pm at SFDS)

• Big Shoulders Fund - January 22nd, 2019 at 8am (doors will 7:30 am at SFDS)

For more information on Big Shoulders Fund & Empower Illinois Tax Scholarship information, please click on the following links:

Big Shoulders Fund Tax Scholarship

Empower Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship

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How to Apply:

Empower Illinois - Applicants can reserve their place in line beginning Tuesday January 15, at 7:00 p.m. You will complete a brief online form containing parent name, contact information, and child’s name. This will time stamp your application. After reserving your place in line, you can access the student application in your portal on Friday, January 18. We will begin awarding scholarships on January 28.

Big Shoulders Fund - Big Shoulders Fund will open its applicaiton on January 22nd at 8am. The following information will be required to apply: Household Information, Student Information, School Information. The exact questions and information requirements will be contained in the application.

Documents Needed :

Big Shoulders Fund

Household Information

• Parent/Guardian contact information - PLEASE NOTE: an email address will be required.

• Number in Household.

• School District in which household resides.

• Proof of Income (Please provide one of the following)

  » 2017 or 2018 1040(s) for all members of the Household

  » if not filing taxes – verified statement signed by parent/guardian (additional proof of income may be required).

• Proof of Residency (Please provide one of the following) - ID, Utility bill, Lease, Deed or Paystub

Student Information

• Student name and birth date

• Grade for the 2019-2020 school year

• siblings for which the household will apply under the tax credit scholarship program.

School Information

• Identify the non-public school being selected by the student in the household.

• Identify whether the student is already enrolled at the selected school.

Empower Illinois

• Proof of Residency (Please provide one of the following)

  » Illinois driver’s license
  » Illinois identification card (issued by the Secretary of State)

  » Utility bill in the custodian’s name
  » Statement of benefits from WIC
  » Statement of benefits from SNAP
  » W-2
  » 1099
  » Residential lease in the parent/custodian’s name
  » Federal Tax Form 1040 with current address

• Proof of Address (Please provide one fo the following)

  » Federal Tax Return, pages 1 & 2 (If your federal tax return is not available to you and you receive WIC or SNAP benefits, you may submit your statement of WIC or SNAP benefits.)

  » W-2
  » 1099/s
  » Year-end pay stub

  » Letter, on letterhead, from employer/s indicating cash wages paid
  
  
  

Work Study Committee Makes Progress Toward 2020 Launch

St. Francis de Sales continues to move forward on the Work Study Initiative. Below is a summary of our work to date. If you have an questions, please reach out to Principal John Kimec at 773-731-7272.

• A committee including representatives from St. Francis de Sales High School, Big Shoulders Fund and the Archdiocese of Chicago have diligently worked over the last year to evaluate the potential for a Work Study program at St. Francis de Sales High School.

• The committee put together a feasibility study summarizing the year of work and the findings. Feedback has been very positive from current students and families, prospects and the community and there has been strong interest and commitments from potential employers to support a Work Study program at St. Francis de Sales High School. The findings from the feasibility study were shared with decision makers at the Office of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago and with Big Shoulders Fund.

• Based on the study, including the support of employers and the community, the Office of Catholic Schools and Big Shoulders Fund are supportive of moving forward in the Work Study planning process to establish a relationship with an independent entity that will operate and manage the Work Study program at St. Francis de Sales. Once this happens, the Archdiocese and Big Shoulders expect to begin steps toward full implementation. The school plans to announce next steps this spring and to commence a Work Study program at St. Francis de Sales in the fall of 2020.

Sales Talks: Read December Issue of the Student Ran Paper!

It’s Christmas time at St. Francis de Sales High School and Sales Talks is back with some wonderful stories to end the New Year. Explore and learn what is happening in the SFDS community through the eyes of our current students. We also remember Eric Anderson in this issue by reflecting on his life and legacy at SFDS.

Remembering Eric Anderson ('88)

Dear SFDS Family, 

The Pioneers are mourning the passing of Eric Anderson ('88).  

Mr. Anderson (far right) was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Illinois in 1988 and was also named to the McDonald's All-American Team.  He lead de Sales to a 2nd place finish downstate that season, the best finish for a boy's basketball team in school history.

He went on to play for Bobby Knight and the Hoosiers before being selected in the NBA draft and playing for the New York Knicks.  While at Indiana University, 

he was named the Big 10 Freshman of the Year in 1989, was a 1991 All Big Ten selection, and was the 1992 West Regional Most Valuable Player. He finished his college career with 1,715 points and 825 rebounds.

His athletic ability was surpassed only by his character.  Those here at school who knew him still speak of him, the person he was, and the lasting impression his accomplishments left on our community. Our condolences go out to his family, classmates, teammates, friends, and all those who knew and loved him.  

Eternal Rest, Grant Unto Him, O Lord, And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him; May He Rest In Peace.

May His Soul, And The Souls Of All The Faithful Departed, Through The Mercy Of God, Rest In Peace. Amen.