St. John's University Introduces New Catholic School Scholarship

November 30, 2011

Opportunity for Graduates of Catholic High Schools to Receive Student Aid for College Degrees

St. John’s University  announces a new award for graduates of Catholic high schools nationally to be known as the St. John’s Catholic School Scholarship. This action is taken in response to a recommendation from the Advisory Board of the Institute for Catholic Schools (ICS) at the University.

The vision for the scholarship is to foster a network of Catholic education from grammar school to high school to college, all committed to promoting and encouraging students to attend and remain in Catholic education.

“The goal for this scholarship initiative, originated by the ICS Advisory Board, is to create a Catholic Education network to reinforce the importance of the continuum of Catholic education,” said Jerrold Ross, Ph.D., Dean of St. John’s University’s School of Education.

The scholarship awards provide any graduate of a Catholic High School a guaranteed minimum scholarship of $10,000 over 4 years with a maximum potential scholarship of $20,000 based on financial need. Students may be eligible for additional need based and/or academic scholarships as well.  

Click here for information on applying for St. John's scholarships

“While this financial incentive alone may not induce a student to choose to stay in Catholic school, the notion that an institution of higher education such as St. John’s has faith in the value of a Catholic high school education, we felt, would send a powerful message and hopefully influence the decision making process when parents and students are looking for the perfect Catholic college choice,” added Dean Ross.  

Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John’s University echoed the importance of ICS and its great vision.

“The St. John’s Institute for Catholic Schools aligns with our mission as a Catholic and Vincentian University. This scholarship initiative has our support as we are fully committed to a faith-based Catholic education in its totality, which can have a strong impact on the lives of future St. John’s students,” said Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John’s University. “We are happy to join hands with Catholic schools of our neighboring dioceses to strengthen the current system, and believe this partnership will help Catholic schools to be even stronger in the days and years ahead.”

Media interested in finding out more information about the St. John’s Catholic School Scholarship or the Institute for Catholic Schools can contact Dominic Scianna, Assistant Vice President for Media Relations,
by calling 718.990.6185 or e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu.

For late breaking news and information regarding St. John’s visit the University web site at www.stjohns.edu/news.
                                                                         
About the St. John’s University’s Institute for Catholic Schools

The overarching purpose of the St. John’s Institute for Catholic Schools (ICS) is to foster the long-term sustainability, growth, and excellence of Catholic education by assisting the local dioceses in enhancing the administrative and academic infrastructure of schools.

Through its visible affirmation and support, ICS will seek to provide great hope for Catholic education. The most critical and immediate need was identified to be strategic planning, including market analysis, financial planning and fund development.

External funds have already been committed to the Institute by alumni and friends of the University, enabling St. John’s to use its academic resources to support this initiative with university faculty, graduate-level student scholars and Catholic school personnel. These groups will develop uniquely 21st century field-based techniques and strategies that can be disseminated to a broad audience and used to strengthen Catholic schools locally and perhaps throughout the nation.

And, with its emphasis on educational outcomes, the St. John’s Institute for Catholic Schools will serve as an important voice in communicating the positive impact that Catholic education has in creating an educated citizenry for the broader global community.