June 5, 2009
Memorial alumni association pledges $85,000 for tuition assistance
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
Eric Miller describes a recent decision by the Reitz Memorial Friends and Alumni Association as “just another step to help.” The association agreed to provide up to $85,000 to help with tuition assistance at Memorial.
That’s in honor of the 85th anniversary of Memorial on Evansville’s east side, just as the Mater Dei Friends and Alumni Association recently provided $60,000 for tuition assistance in honor of the west side school’s 60th anniversary.
The two commitments are added on top of $300,000 from the Catholic Education Foundation, Inc., which will administer the funds. The total of $445,000 available for tuition assistance is intended to help families negatively impacted by the current economic environment.
“Our goal has been, and still is, to keep tuition at an affordable level,” said Miller, president of Memorial’s alumni association. Without the members’ contribtutions toward improving the building and grounds, tuition would “skyrocket,” Miller said. Providing money to be used for tution grants is “just another step to help,” he said. It will allow more students to go to Memorial, and help “to retain students who are already there.”
“Personally, I am incredibly grateful the Friends and Alumni are acknowledging the fundamental need to provide assistance to those families who need help,” said Bob Mehringer, president of the CEF board. “Many families believe the cost of attending Memorial is beyond their reach, but we want them to know and understand while it does take sacrifice, we are ready and willing to help those who want a Catholic high school education for their children.”
Mehringer went on to say, “The learning environment and community as a whole at Mem-orial is definitely enhanced when we have children and families from all socio-economic backgrounds.”
Families now have until June 25 to apply for the need-based tuition assistance, according to Margaret Angermeier, exective director of the Catholic Educa-tion Foundation.
“CEF has awarded most of the $360,000 in tuition assistance that was available early in May,” she said. “Because $60,000 of it was a gift from the Mater Dei Friends and Alumni Associa-tion, and restricted to Mater Dei students, a percentage of that was held back for late Mater Dei applications and appeals.”
Now, “up to $85,000 is now available for qualifying Mem-orial students who apply late or appeal a previous decision,” she said.
- The deadline for all late applications and appeals is June 25, 2009.
- This deadline applies to Mater Dei and Memorial applicants.
- All awards are made by the CEF Grants Committee which processes applications without knowledge of applicants’ names.
- Names of applicants remain anonymous.
Contact Margaret Angermeier, (812) 403-6700, extension 302.