At St. John Vianney, we are committed to making Catholic education accessible and affordable for all families. To help reduce tuition costs, we offer three key types of financial support:

1. Parish Investment (Parish Support Discount – $1,650 per child for 25-26)

• This discount is available to active parishioners of St. John Vianney or a partner parish in the Diocese that does not have its own school.
• It reflects the financial commitment made by the parish community to support Catholic education for its active members.
• Approval from the parish pastor is required to receive this discount, ensuring that families are engaged in parish life and contributing to the faith community.

2. SJV Donor Support ($1,350 per child for the first child, increasing by $1,000 per additional child for parishioners, $1,200 per child for non-parishioners)

• This opt-in discount is available to all families, regardless of parish affiliation.
• It is funded through SJV’s fundraising efforts, including:
  • The SJV Education Foundation
  • The Parish Festival
  • The Annual Auction
  • The Catholic School Envelope
  • General donations from community members, etc.
• The donor-supported discount helps offset tuition costs for families who might not qualify for financial aid but still seek financial assistance.

3. Financial Aid (Grants, Not Loans)

• Families seeking additional tuition assistance beyond parish and donor support may apply for need-based financial aid.
• This includes:
  • Diocesan Bishop’s Scholarship (administered by the Diocese of Grand Rapids)
  • SJV Education Foundation Tuition Assistance
• Financial aid is awarded based on demonstrated need and is not a loan, meaning families do not need to pay it back.
• Applications are reviewed by the Financial Aid Committee in mid-March, and funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Apply using Blackbaud (link below)-the earlier the better. The Bishop’s Scholarships are awarded in rounds, until all funds have been gifted.

How These Support Options Work Together

Families can receive multiple layers of support to reduce tuition costs:

• Parishioner Families: Eligible for Parish Support + SJV Donor Support + Financial Aid (if needed)
• Non-Parishioner Families: Eligible for SJV Donor Support + Financial Aid (if needed)

These programs work together to ensure that every child has the opportunity to receive a high-quality Catholic education, regardless of financial circumstances.

Last year, the combined efforts of SJV donors provided over $300,000 in tuition assistance for families, including financial Aid.