Tuition Assistance

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS

Canisius High School awards a number of academic scholarships each year. Academic scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis by the Admissions Committee to qualified freshmen applicants who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. In awarding academic scholarships, the Admissions Committee examines results of the Entrance and Scholarship Examination, student marks from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, standardized testing results, conduct and recommendations. These scholarships are renewable each year based on the recipient maintaining a minimum cumulative average of 85%.

NEED-BASED TUITION GRANTS

Sending your son to Canisius involves a serious commitment to making education the highest priority.  For most families, this commitment entails some sacrifice. We are aware that the expense of a superior education can place a significant burden on the family budget. Accordingly, Canisius offers financial assistance to families demonstrating need.

Canisius wishes to enter into a partnership with families to meet this commitment.  The generosity of our benefactors enables us to offer tuition grants, intended to make a superior education in the Jesuit tradition more accessible to talented, hard-working students who qualify for financial assistance.

A tuition grant is applied to the cost of tuition and is considered “gift assistance” with no strings attached.  This means that a tuition grant award is NOT work study.  Nor is the tuition assistance program a loan. Tuition assistance is awarded for a period of one school year.  A student must reapply for tuition assistance each year he attends Canisius.  In order to renew, a student must be in good academic standing, and must have no outstanding financial obligations to the High School. 

Each family must share in the responsibility of their son’s education, and contribute as much as they are able. The amount of tuition assistance awarded will depend upon the degree of financial need, as determined by family income, assets and liabilities, number of siblings, and other factors.  Canisius is, unfortunately, unable to provide 100% assistance. The Financial Aid Committee is particularly interested, however, in learning about any compelling circumstances surrounding the application for tuition assistance, and whether these circumstances impact the ability of the family to send their son to Canisius.  All information presented to the Financial Aid Committee is held in strict confidence.

Questions regarding our need-based tuition grant program should be directed to:

Mr. Tom Weislo
716-882-0466 x205
weislo@canisiushigh.org

FINANCIAL AID For SCHOOL TUITION

Dear Parents / Guardian:

In order for us to allocate our resources wisely and fairly, we have enlisted the help of Independent School Management's FAST (Financial Aid for School Tuition) program. FAST will be the standard submission format for all tuition assistance applications, replacing the PSAS forms families have completed in years past.

ISM's FAST does not decide whether financial assistance will be given or how much to give; rather FAST provides a need-based financial aid analysis service. FAST provides the school with a report, which includes a recommendation of what a family should reasonably contribute toward tuition. All information entered into FAST is secure and confidential, and all information received from FAST is kept strictly confidential. Applications are reviewed by the confidential Financial Aid Committee and the committee recommends allocation of financial aid resources for the next year.

While no tuition assistance procedure can be entirely equitable - there are simply too many individual factors and extenuating circumstances - the process that has been established will serve Canisius well.  Please read the Principles of Good Practice for Financial Aid, published by the National Association of Independent Schools, as they have implications for both the school and its parents.  Canisius intends to be guided by these principles to the extent that resources and conditions permit.

Procedures for Parents:

1.  Parents are asked to access the FAST Program website specifically for Canisius applicants at by clicking on the link above.  Once there, new applicants should click on the Start Application button, while families who have already registered should click on the Resume Application button.  All financial information should be entered directly through the secure server.  Space is also provided to fill out additional information that may be pertinent to the application.  Additionally, a copy of the most recent tax return should be mailed directly to FAST.

2.  There will be a fee of $34 required to process the application.  Once completed, the application will be available immediately for the Financial Aid Committee's review.  Families may be contacted by the Financial Aid Committee if additional information is needed.