Reserve Fund Scholarship

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

How to Apply (School Leaders Only)

1. Access Application Form
   • Go to https://aimhigherfoundation.org/reserve-fund-application/
   • Complete online form directly
2. Provide School Information
   • Select school name from dropdown list
   • School name is required field
3. Identify Student(s)
   • List name of student(s) applying on behalf of
   • Add additional students in designated text box if applicable
4. Confirm Enrollment Status
   • Indicate whether students are currently enrolled
   • Yes/No option required
5. Provide Financial Information
   • Enter family's total remaining tuition obligation for 2025-26
   • Provide student's parent/guardian TADS Financial Aid Reference Number
6. Existing Aid Status
   • Indicate whether students currently receive funds from Aim Higher
   • Yes/No option
7. Write Detailed Narrative (Minimum 100 words)
   • Outline extenuating circumstances creating barrier to meet tuition
   • Be as detailed as possible
   • Describe impact on family's ability to pay tuition
   • Special attention to financial hardship circumstances
8. Provide Consent
   • Check acknowledgment box confirming you are principal or school leader
   • Confirm you have parent/guardian consent to share information

Required Materials

• School name
• Student name(s)
• Current enrollment status
• Total remaining tuition obligation for 2025-26
• Student's parent/guardian TADS Financial Aid Reference Number
• Detailed narrative of extenuating circumstances (minimum 100 words)

Technical Requirements

• Recommended browsers: Firefox or Chrome
• Online form submission

Support

• Contact: Mike O'Keefe
• Phone: 612-819-6711, ext. 107
• Email: mokeefe@aimhigherfoundation.org