Reserve Fund Scholarship

Reserve Fund Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,000

Program Description:
The Reserve Fund Scholarship is a $1,000 Aim Higher Scholarship awarded to K-8 students from families who experience sudden and unexpected financial hardship outside of the Foundation's normal application and awarding timelines. The goal of the scholarship is to ensure an awardee can remain enrolled in his or her Catholic school through 8th grade.

Geographic Scope

• Service Area: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
• Eligible Schools: Over 80 Catholic schools in the region (all listed partner schools eligible)

Eligibility Requirements

• Student must be in grades K-8
• Student must be currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an eligible Catholic school
• Family must experience sudden and unexpected financial hardship
• Hardship must be outside normal application timelines
• Family must demonstrate inability to pay tuition due to hardship circumstances

Application Process

• Applicant: Only the school principal or other school leader may submit application
• Not Self-Nominated: Students cannot self-apply; school must recommend on behalf of student
• School Leader Discretion: School leader must identify eligible students experiencing hardship
• Parental Consent: School leader must have parent/guardian consent to share information

Key Differences from Standard Scholarships

• Emergency Focus: Designed for unexpected financial crises
• Rolling Availability: Available year-round, outside normal application cycles
• School-Initiated: Only school leaders can initiate applications
• Detailed Narratives Required: Application must detail extenuating circumstances (minimum 100 words)

Contact Information

• Name: Mike O'Keefe
• Phone: 612-819-6711, ext. 107
• Email: mokeefe@aimhigherfoundation.org
• Address: 2610 University Ave W, Suite 525, Saint Paul, MN 55114