The Catholic Education Foundation Board is committed to helping families navigate the challenge of keeping their children enrolled in Catholic schools following the sudden termination of the Invest in Kids Scholarship Program.

As a result of the Illinois General Assembly not extending the Invest in Kids Scholarship Tax credit program, the Catholic Education Foundation Board of the Diocese of Joliet unanimously approved a $1 million one-time expenditure from its endowment. This allocation is being made to offset the $7 million loss in Invest in Kids scholarships families in the diocese received last year. This $1 million one-time expenditure from the Foundation provides additional financial assistance from the upcoming 2024-2025 school year for kindergarten through eighth grade students attending Catholic schools in the Diocese of Joliet. The Foundation is helping to cushion the blow to those families who previously received 100 percent funding through Invest in Kids.

Grade school students (K - 7) who previously attended a Diocese of Joliet school and received a 100 percent scholarship through the Invest in Kids Tax credit program will receive a $1,200 bridge grant, if they are still financially eligible for assistance. This is in addition to any other Foundation grants the student is eligible for such as the CEF grade school grant or the Hispanic Initiative Scholarship, etc.

If a family has already applied through FACTS, there is nothing else they need to do. If a family has not yet applied through FACTS Grant & Aid, they should do so before April 1, 2024, in order to be considered for the Bridge Grant.