Families choose Catholic schools for strong academics, faith formation, and community. With a little planning, scholarships can make that education affordable. Use this simple roadmap to move from “where do we start?” to “award confirmed.”

At-a-Glance Timeline (copy this into your calendar)

  • January–March: Gather documents, complete needs analysis, submit school financial aid forms.

  • April–June: Apply for scholarships; respond quickly to any requests for clarification.

  • July–August: Review award letters and coordinate disbursements with your school’s business office.

  • September–December: Confirm remaining balances, adjust payment plans, and prep next year’s folder.

Step 1: Confirm your school plan

  • Finalize which Catholic school(s) your student will attend.

  • Note admission and enrollment deadlines—many scholarship timelines align to these dates.

  • Ask the school which needs-analysis service and scholarship portals they use.

Step 2: Build your “funding file” once

Create a single folder (cloud or binder) for all scholarship applications:

  • Most recent federal tax return + W-2/1099s

  • Income documentation (recent pay stubs, benefits letters)

  • Proof of Arizona residency and student birth certificates

  • Any tuition statements or award letters you’ve already received

  • A short family statement (3–5 sentences) about why Catholic education matters to you

Pro tip: Use clear filenames like 2024-TaxReturn.pdf and to speed up every upload.

Step 3: Complete your needs-analysis early

Many scholarships require a verified assessment of financial need.

  • Log in to your school’s designated portal and finish every page—no blanks.

  • Double-check names, addresses, and income entries for consistency across forms.

  • If taxes aren’t filed yet, ask whether draft returns are acceptable temporarily.

Step 4: Apply for Catholic Education Arizona scholarships

  • Create/verify your CEA account and complete the family profile.

  • Submit applications for each student, attaching all required documents.

  • Keep notes on what you submitted and the date—you’ll thank yourself later.

Step 5: Activate tax-credit support (if applicable)

Arizona’s tax-credit ecosystem allows individuals and businesses to recommend support through School Tuition Organizations like Catholic Education Arizona.

  • Make a short list of potential supporters (family, friends, parish, coworkers).

  • Share simple, compliant instructions on how they can participate.

  • Track who you contacted and any updates you receive.

(For personal tax guidance, consult a qualified tax professional.)

Step 6: Watch your portal and inbox

  • Log in weekly to check application status and messages.

  • Respond within 48 hours to requests for clarification—faster responses keep your file moving.

  • Save copies of every message and document in your funding file.

Step 7: Coordinate awards with your school

  • Send each award letter to the school’s business office promptly.

  • Ask how scholarships will disburse and when they will appear on your account.

  • Confirm your updated payment plan once awards post.

Step 8: Close the loop (and prepare for next year)

  • Label this year’s folder and duplicate it for next cycle.

  • Add reminder dates for next year’s needs-analysis and scholarship windows.

Common Questions

Can multiple children in the same family apply?
 Yes. Submit separate applications, and reuse your shared documents folder to save time.

Does applying early help?
 Absolutely. Early, complete files get earlier review and allow time to fix small issues.

What if our income changes mid-year?
 Notify your school and CEA. Many programs offer a change-in-circumstance review.

Will scholarships change my monthly payments?
 Yes. Once funds disburse, your school can update your payment plan to reflect the new balance.

Quick Checklist (print this)

  • School selected and enrollment submitted

  • Funding file created (taxes, income, IDs, birth certificates)

  • Needs-analysis completed and verified

  • CEA scholarship applications submitted for each student

  • Supporter outreach (if using tax-credit recommendations)

  • Award letters sent to school; payment plan updated

  • Thank-you notes sent; next year’s reminders set

Need a hand? Catholic Education Arizona is here to help families navigate the scholarship process with confidence. Reach out for guidance so your student can thrive in a values-aligned, academically strong Catholic school community. Call our office at (602) 218-6542.