New tuition assistance program giving out 100 scholarships

The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC), which provides students in need with an opportunity to receive high-quality, values-based education in a nurturing and safe environment, announces the launch of the “We Are Living Stones” Catholic Tuition Assistance Program for the 2021-2022 school year.

In partnership with, and funded by, the Archdiocese of Newark, this new donor-designated scholarship program will allow SFIC to provide 100 qualifying students with $1,500 each in scholarship support.

“We are incredibly pleased to be able to support 100 more students in addition to the ongoing scholarship assistance SFIC already provides annually,” stated Dr. Michelle Hartman, CEO of SFIC. “This new tuition assistance program demonstrates the continued commitment of donors to the Catholic faith and the future growth of Catholic education in our communities.”

Families who apply to the “We Are Living Stones” Catholic Tuition Assistance Program are required to certify themselves as Catholic and must meet income requirements. Additionally, scholarships will be available only for select schools in the cities of Newark, Jersey City, East Orange, Union, and Fairview. Students who are not Catholic or who attend schools in other cities may be eligible to receive a scholarship from the SFIC general fund or other donor-designated scholarship.

“The Archdiocese of Newark is proud to fund the ‘We Are Living Stones’ Catholic Tuition Assistance Program because nothing is more important than providing our students and future leaders with the education and values needed to better this world in the way of Christ,” said Bishop Manuel A. Cruz, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark. “We are also extremely grateful to our donors, whose contributions made this very worthy program possible. May God bless their generosity and the students who will benefit from it.”

SFIC, founded in 1983 as the Fund for Educational Advancement, is a non-profit organization funded by corporations, foundations, and individual donors who wish to invest in the future of economically-disadvantaged children living in neighboring communities.

SFIC has provided more than $47 million in partial tuition assistance to students from economically-disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds within Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties in New Jersey.  Scholarships are based on need without regard to gender, race, or ethnic background. Applicant families must be ready to provide proof of income and must intend to attend one of the schools within the four counties it serves.

To learn more about The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children, visit www.sficnj.org.