Tuition and Financial Aid

The State of Arizona offers taxpayers a State Tax Credit for contributions made to qualifying School Tuition Organizations (STO’s).  This unique program may provide families several opportunities for financial assistance through Individual Tax Credit Scholarships, Plus Tax Credit Scholarships, Corporate Tax Credit Scholarships and Disabled Displaced Scholarships. We recommend that each family apply for five to seven STO scholarships each year.

Applying for financial assistance from a School Tuition Organization (STO):

1. A new application for financial assistance from a STO must be made each school year.
2. FILE YOUR TAXES EARLY!! (JANUARY OR FEBRUARY) 
3. Most of the scholarship applications require a copy of the family federal tax return.
4. If you anticipate filing an extension or filing your tax returns late, submit your prior year tax return and your current year W-2’s.
5. DO NOT DELAY FILING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. MOST SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS.
6. Each STO has their own application requirements and deadlines.

The State of Arizona provides several options to assist families in paying for your child’s Catholic education,
including the Empower Scholarship Account (ESA) Program and through State Tuition Organization (STO)
tax credit funds. These programs are offered through the State and/or through the individual STO, and are
not managed by the School.

Therefore, you are responsible for compliance with all terms, conditions to eligibility, and legal requirements
related to any programs in which you participate. Please note in particular that pursuant to state law, if you
choose to utilize an Empower Scholarship Account, you may not utilize STO funds (or vice versa). The School
is not responsible for ensuring your compliance with this or any other term, condition, law or requirement
relating to tuition assistance programs.
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Furthermore, please be aware that payment of your child’s tuition is your responsibility, whether or not you
choose to participate in ESA, STO, or any other programs or options to assist your family. These programs
may not cover 100% of the cost of tuition and fees, and therefore any outstanding portion will remain your
responsibility. 

Individual Tax Credit Scholarships

• Sources can include both student recommended funds and general funds. 
• General Fund eligibility is usually based on need. These funds become available when an individual redirects their taxes to an STO, not recommended to a particular student.
• Recommended Funds become available when an individual redirects their taxes to an STO, recommended to your student. There are no income limitations on recommended funds and a student may receive up to 100% of tuition amount.

​

 

Plus Tax Credit Scholarships

• Sources can include both student recommended funds and general funds. 
• Eligibility is based on income, previous corporate award receipt, transferring from public school to private or active military status.
• Both General and recommended funds become available through Arizona individual tax redirection.

 
Corporate Tax Credit Scholarships

• Sources include General funds only.
• Eligibility is based on income, previous corporate award receipt, transferring from public school to private school or active military status. 
• These funds become available through Arizona corporation tax redirection.

 

Student is eligible for a corporate tax credit scholarship if they meet the following income requirement (see below) and one of the following:

1. Student attended an Arizona public school as a full-time student for at least 90 days of the prior fiscal year or one full semester and then transferred from the public school to a private school; or
2. Is enrolling in a private school kindergarten; or
3. Is enrolling in a private preschool program for students with disabilities; or
4. Is a dependent of a member of the armed forces of the United States who is stationed in Arizona pursuant to military orders; or
5. Received a low-income corporate scholarship (under above criteria) or an original individual scholarship or a switcher individual scholarship in a prior year and the child continued to attend a private school in subsequent years.​

 

2 - $67,492
3 - $85,083
4 - $102,675
5 - $120,267
6 - $137,858
7 - $155,450
​8 - $173,042

 

Disabled/Displaced Tax Credit Scholarships

• Sources include General funds only.
• Eligibility is based on meeting ONE of the following prerequisites:

1. Student has a current or expired MET or IEP from an Arizona public school (for preschool and grades K-12); or
2. Student has a current or expired 504 plan from an Arizona public school (for grades K-12 only); or
3. Student was placed at one time in the Arizona foster care system (for grades K-12 only and will be verified with the Arizona Department of Economic Security)

• These funds become available through Arizona corporation tax redirection.

 

 

Contact the Bourgade Catholic Finance Office or the School Tuition Organization for help determining eligibility for the Plus Tax Credit, Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship and Disabled/Displaced Tax Credit Scholarship.  ​

The State of Arizona offers taxpayers a State Tax Credit for contributions made to qualifying STO’s. 

• Donors to these funds can recommend that their Arizona State Tax credit dollars be applied toward your student. 
• A parent cannot contribute for the benefit of their own child. Many Bourgade Catholic families find donors through family members, business associates and friends. 
• Married taxpayers can recommend up to $2,452 of their Arizona State Tax dollars and single taxpayers can redirect up to $1,228 by utilizing the Individual Tax Credit and Plus Tax Credit programs!
• 100% of the tuition cost is eligible for this scholarship.

 
Some STO’s may accept 2022 or 2023 tax credit dollars recommended for 2023 or 2024 students. These funds will be held for them and can be applied to tuition in August.  Each student must be registered with the STO through an application process. 
 
Please see the STO resource list for specific details of School Tuition Organizations (STO’s).