ACE (Association for Compassionate Education) Scholarships is a privately funded program that helps qualifying Texas families afford tuition at private and faith-based schools, including St. Mary's. Since 2000, ACE has provided more than 94,000 scholarships to children from lower-income families totaling over $257 million and established partnerships with over 1,100 private schools across the country. Since launching in Texas in 2017, ACE families have accepted more than 7,800 scholarships totaling nearly $19 million.
ACE scholarships are based solely on the family's total income, both taxable (which is line 9 on the 1040 for those who file) and nontaxable. ACE will publish an income eligibility chart each year.
ACE Scholarships are partial tuition, intended to provide added assistance lower-income families may need to enroll their child in a private school. Standard ACE award amounts are $3,000 for K-8 and $4,000 for high school, not to exceed 50% of private school tuition, yet may vary dependent upon unique circumstances. Families are responsible for working out a payment plan with the school for the remainder of the tuition.
Applications open 1st Monday in February and close at 11:59 pm on Tax Day in April
Complete both St. Mary's admissions/enrollment steps and the separate ACE Scholarships online application, including prior-year tax return and any supporting income documentation.