CISE High School Scholarship Program

CISE provides four-year renewable scholarships to help students from CISE-supported elementary schools continue their educational journeys at area Catholic high schools.

Geographic Scope: Greater Cincinnati, Ohio; supports students attending 14 Catholic high schools across the region

Focus Areas:

• Catholic high school education for economically disadvantaged students
• Values-based education continuation from elementary through high school
• Student support and advocacy services

Key Details:

• Award Amount: $4,000 per year per student (renewable for four years; total $16,000 per student)
• Additional Support: CISE funds dedicated student advocates at each high school ($500 per year per student) to provide academic, social, and personal support
• Current Reach: Supports 500+ students enrolled at 14 Catholic high schools across Greater Cincinnati (as of most recent reporting)
• Eligibility: Qualified graduates of CISE elementary schools; students from families living in poverty (90%+ of eligible 8th graders)
• Acceptance Rate: 75% of CISE 8th graders are accepted to local Catholic high schools

Tax Benefits for Donors:

• A $4,000 scholarship donation may result in an Ohio income tax credit of up to $1,500
• Federal income tax deduction of $2,500, which could save another $750 in federal taxes
• Potential out-of-pocket after-tax impact of approximately $1,750
• Donors through CISE-SGO may receive substantial tax benefits

Background: The program was created to address the barrier of cost in continuing Catholic education for low-income families. Demand has doubled over the past four years. The program has grown from supporting approximately 463 students in school year 2023-24 to 500+ students currently.

Application Process

No formal application details are provided on the website for individual students seeking scholarships. Based on the content, students receive scholarships through being qualified graduates of CISE elementary schools. Students attending 8th grade at CISE-supported elementary schools who are accepted to Catholic high schools are eligible.

To Become a Scholarship Donor:

Individuals interested in funding or endowing a high school scholarship should contact Kelly Camm at kcamm@cisekids.org or 513-263-3473 to discuss: