By Eileen Connelly, OSU

In an archdiocese with the sixth largest Catholic school system in the country, it is clear that the residents hold their Catholic values dear and want to see them passe
d on to the next generation. That is why the need-based grants from the Catholic Education Foundation for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (CEF) are so critical and meaningful. 

CEF has awarded just over $2,230,000 in tuition grants to students in grades K-12 for the 2021-2022 school year,” noted Vince Woodall, deputy superintendent for operational vitality at the Catholic Schools Office. “These awards impact over 2,100 students within the 19 counties of the archdiocese. All of this was made possible through the generosity of the faithful to the One Faith, One Hope, One Love capital campaign.” 

“The tuition assistance offered through CEF has been a blessing to thousands of families,” he added. “These funds have also allowed parishes and schools to stretch their own tuition dollars a little further in order to benefit even more families. We are truly grateful that these funds have been made available to the students and families that we serve.”  

Those grateful students and families include Carly Braun, who has two children attending Our Lady of Visitation School. 

“A faith-based education is a must for our children, and that is exactly what the Catholic Education Foundation has given our family,” she said. “We believe it is important for young minds to grow within a Catholic school to be closer to God and become important members of society. Being a lower-income family, none of that would have been made possible without receiving [tuition assistance] from the Catholic Education Foundation. Their generosity is a blessing and is ensuring our children will be able to grow in their faith and love for Jesus Christ. We now have a loving, caring, and faith-based community surrounding us that would not have been possible without the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. We will be forever grateful for this opportunity.”