'There is help.' 

Michael Cheman, father of Joe Cheman ’24, has advice for parents who may be considering a CHS education but are concerned about tuition: “There is help.”

"I went into it with a closed mind, already having decided that I couldn't afford it," said Michael.

Michael loved “everything about” Canisius when Joe was entering his high school years, but didn’t think it was possible financially. Joe attended a different school as a freshman and sophomore. Michael was urged by a friend to see what kind of assistance might be available prior to Joe’s junior year. After a series of interviews, a financial aid package was offered to the Chemans and Joe became a Crusader.

"That is my biggest regret – that I didn't fill out that financial aid paperwork when he was a freshman,” Michael said. “There is help out there, and you never know until you try.

“Of course there will always be some sacrifice, but as a father, it's completely worth it to see your child succeed. And when you really think about it, is it really a sacrifice? Because in the end, we're so much further ahead."

Said Joe: “You're not just a number here. You're part of a family and a brotherhood, and everybody knows each other and looks out for each other."

The Chemans also said they were interested in Canisius because Joe could advance his skills as a member of the outstanding CHS baseball program. On Wednesday at St. Joe’s, Joe entered the game in relief in the bottom of the seventh inning and struck out three straight batters to complete a stirring 3-2 Canisius win.

Michael shared his story with the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, whose Emergency Tuition Assistance Fund offers scholarships to Catholic high schools and grammar schools.

For more information or to donate to the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo’s Emergency Tuition Assistance Fund, go to frcdb.org.

If Canisius is the right fit for the student, we will work to make the cost of tuition the right fit for the family.

For information about tuition assistance at Canisius, named "Best Private School" by The Buffalo News Best in 716, go to canisiushigh.org/tuition or visit us at our Open House on Sunday.

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