Sheperd of the Desert Education Foundation

Tuition Grant

• Tuition Assistance Application
• AZ Corporate Tax Credit Guideline

Eligibility

To be eligible for a tuition grant from SOTD Education Foundation, a student must be enrolled in a qualified private school and be in Kindergarten through 12th grade. A qualified school means a nongovernmental primary or secondary school that is located in Arizona and that does not discriminate based on race, color, familial status or national origin. A qualified school does not include a charter school.

Awards Criteria

SOTD Education Foundation awards tuition grants based on the family's financial need, along with special circumstances. Our Foundation follows the Corporate Tax Credit Guideline to determine family eligibility. Special circumstances such as recent change or loss of income will also be considered. If you are unsure as to whether your family qualifies for tuition aid, please check your income against the Arizona Corporate Tax Credit Guideline.

Awards Process

Financial need-based awards — deadline April 15th for school year starting Aug/Sept.

1. Shepherd of the Desert Education Foundation applications for tuition assistance (K-12) can be submitted directly to the Foundation office.
2. Applicants must also submit a separate application to FAIR (Financial Aid Independent Review). See below for details.
3. Upon receipt of both applications and required attachments, FAIR submits a need analysis to the Board. These results, the SOTDEF application and circumstance letter will be reviewed by the Financial Assistance Committee. Their recommendation will be submitted to the Board of Directors for final approval. Recipients will be notified in writing by the Board by June 15th.
4. Priority for awards is need based.
5. No recipient shall receive more than 100% combined award from all sources. The following priority categories have been established:

Category I, First Priority

Children of families who are members of SOTD Church attending any private school including Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran School and Valley Lutheran High School.

Category I, Second Priority

Children of families who are not members of SOTD Lutheran Church, but are attending SOTD Lutheran School. Grants are capped at 67% of tuition except when application shows special need or circumstances, in which case grants can reach to 90%.

Category II

Children of families who are not members of SOTD Lutheran Church and attend private schools other than SOTD. Grants are capped at 25%.

Payment of awards will be made directly to the participating school.

Please note: This Foundation requires that applicants apply to at least one other State Tax Organization or tuition assistance program. There are more than 50 STO's in Arizona.

To apply for tuition assistance, you must complete two separate applications which must be sent to two separate addresses. Be sure you answer all questions. All application information must be submitted in order for the application to be processed and considered for a grant.

1. The Shepherd of the Desert Education Foundation Application is due by April 15th. This application must be completed in full and submitted to SOTD Education Foundation with a copy of your FAIR report, tax return, and circumstance letter. Families and schools will be notified in June.
2. The FAIR (Financial Aid Independent Review) Tuition Assistance Application (together with all attachments requested) is due by April 15th. FAIR evaluates each family's financial need. This application can be found at the church/Foundation office or can be completed online. First, create your personal login by using your email address and your own password. After you click on New Application and then OK, you are directed to a page where it asks for school code and password. Please enter 270 for the school code and sdef270 for the password. You should now be able to start your online application. There is a $27 application fee payable to FAIR when the application is mailed, or paid by credit card on-line. Please do not send the FAIR application fee to SOTDEF.

Reading and following all instructions carefully will ensure that your application can be processed. Late applications are accepted at the discretion of the Board of Directors. If you have questions, please call the Foundation at 480-860-1188, extension 290.

Emergency Financial Assistance Awards

1. Applicants for emergency aid during the school year, due to special circumstances (i.e. hardship, divorce, loss of employment, serious illness, death) must be enrolled and attending Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran School or Valley Lutheran High School.
2. The SOTDEF Emergency Application with attachments must be completed. If applicant has applied and received a prior tuition award the same year, a tax return is not required. Upon submission of a completed application, proof of change of circumstance and letter, the application will be reviewed by the Financial Assistance Committee with recommendations to the Board of Directors for a final decision. Emergency funds are limited and will be awarded annually on a first come-first serve basis.