Catholic Schools Week Kicks Off on January 26th!

As the first month of the new year comes to a close, it brings with it an exciting time for the Catholic Education Foundation of the Diocese of Joliet.

January 26th kicks off Catholic Schools Week, the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. The theme this year is Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.

Serving the faith-based community is what the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) has been doing for years.

In 2024, even with the loss of the Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship, the Catholic Education Foundation and the Catholic Schools Office worked to bring more than $2.4 million in tuition assistance for Catholic elementary and high school families in the diocese.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of donors who supported Catholic education, as well as the CEF Board offering a bridge grant to help cushion the blow left when Illinois lawmakers let the Invest in Kids Act expire, more than 1,600 students were able to stay in a Catholic school.

As students across the diocese celebrate Catholic Schools Week, the CEF reminds families that the scholarship applications for the 2025-26 school year are now open.

Families with students in Kindergarten through senior year of high school with a verified financial need are encouraged to apply for tuition assistance grants.

Scholarship applications are currently being accepted through April 1, 2025. Families can access the online application at the CEF website, cefjoliet.org, under the Scholarships and Grants tab.

Families will be notified of grant awards in the spring and award checks will be sent directly to the schools following verification of enrollment in the fall.

None of these efforts are possible without the support of generous donors. Your donation makes a huge difference. To donate to the CEF, please visit cef.org.

Catholic Education Foundation

16555 Weber Road

Crest Hill, IL 60403

Ph: 815.221.6127

www.cefjoliet.org