Making Catholic Education Affordable

Update

March 25, 2026

Dear Parents,

This newsletter will address the following:

Account Balances
ESA Updates
STO Updates
Incoming Kindergarten Options
Statement of Tuition and Fees - Catholic Rate Explained
Links for Making a Tuition Payment Using Vendor Payment

Account Balances

At this time, all tuition and fees should be up to date. Please check your FACTS account to make sure that you have paid ALL tuition and fees due at this time. If you are using ESA, you should have paid 3 quarters of tuition so far. Fourth-quarter ESA should be funded in your Classwallet accounts the second week of April. Please make your payment immediately upon receiving your invoice through FACTS. Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is conditional upon receipt of all outstanding payments. If your accounts are not current by the last day of school, your child(ren) will forfeit their enrollment and will be placed on a waiting list. See below for how to access your FACTS account.

ESA UPDATES

Who should use ESA?

Students in 1st–8th-Grade who do not qualify for low-income tax credit scholarships should apply for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA). Anyone who has proof of residency in Arizona qualifies to receive this scholarship. There are NO income requirements.

How much funding does ESA provide?
ESA recipients receive 90% of the state funding their local school would receive. This varies by district and grade.

Will ESA cover 100% of tuition?
There is no guarantee that ESA will cover all of a student's tuition. If there is not enough in the ESA account, the parent is responsible for any remaining tuition. If you do not have enough funds in your Classwallet account, we ask that you send what you have in the account, and the remainder will be billed to your FACTS account. This is a reminder of why all students must have a payment plan set up in their FACTS account.

When can I apply for ESA?
If you are new to ESA, you must apply for a new account. Applications for the 2026-2027 school year are not open yet. Please check the ESA website regularly for updates. If you have a current ESA account, you will receive a renewal notice by email. Check for emails from ESA frequently and respond ASAP. If you miss your renewal window for first quarter, you will be responsible for paying that quarter's tuition in September.

TAX CREDIT PROGRAMS

If you plan to use Tax Credit funds for tuition for the 2026/2027 school year, please note that most applications for Tax Credit Financial Aid are open now. The deadlines for these applications vary, but most will be around April 15th. You will find links to most Tax Credit Organizations on our website (see button below).

If you have "recommended" tax credit funds at a Tax Credit Organization, please remember to "reapply" at that organization to keep your funds active. Most tax credit organizations recognize that families are currently using the ESA program, but they will keep your funds as long as you have an active account with them. We also encourage families to continue soliciting Recommended Funds even if you use the ESA program. It costs nothing for your friends and families who are redirecting their Arizona State taxes, but they would be available if you ever choose to use them.

For families who have not used Tax Credits, please consider researching this program. The Institute for Better Education has some great videos and online education programs on its website.

SJB Financial Assistance

Families with Incoming Kindergarteners for the 2026/202 School Year

It’s important to explore your options for financial assistance now! ESA for kindergarten is funded at about 60% of the amount that older students receive. We strongly recommend applying to Catholic Education Arizona (CEA) for your kindergarten student, even if you are using ESA for older children. There is no guarantee that CEA will cover all of kindergarten, but, combined with financial assistance applications from several other tax credit organizations, a large portion of kindergarten tuition can be covered. Recommended Funds can also be applied to minimize tuition payment.

Please note: CEA and tax credit scholarships cannot be used in the same school year

If you have questions or need guidance, I’d be happy to chat by phone or set up an appointment to discuss your options.

Statement of Tuition and Fees

Families who are registered, active, and participating members of a parish of the Diocese of Phoenix are eligible for the reduced Catholic rate. The reduced rate will become effective when verification is provided by your Pastor. Those families not registered, active, and participating members of a parish will be required to pay the full tuition rate for each student enrolled in the school. Please fill out the Parish Verification Google Form linked below. We will be contacting the parishes in April to confirm registration.

It is important to note that we will update Parish Verification documents every two years, regardless of how long you have been enrolled at SJB.

Bishops Letter Explaining Catholic Rate

Parish Verification Form

PLEASE NOTE: Per school policy, the State of Arizona provides several options to assist families in paying for your child’s Catholic Education, including School Tuition Organizations (STO) tax credit funds, and the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA). These programs are offered through the State and/or individual STOs and are not managed by our school. Therefore, you are responsible for compliance with all terms, conditions of eligibility, and legal requirements related to any programs in which you participate.

Payment of your child’s tuition is your responsibility, whether or not you choose to participate in ESA, STO, or any other programs. These programs may not cover 100% of tuition and fees and, therefore, any outstanding portion will remain the responsibility of the parent.

How to Access Your Classwallet

How to Find Your Invoice

How to Make a Direct Payment

Access Your FACTS Account

COMMONLY USED WEBSITES AND DIRECTIONS

Below is a list of commonly used websites and forms for tuition management:

Hours of Tuition Assistance

Kelly McLean will be available for tuition assistance questions during the school year, Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

She may be reached by phone at 480-219-4848, Ext. 5106, or email kmclean@sjbosco.org.

Due to the high volume of emails received, please allow time for a response.