Financial Aid and Scholarship General Information

A variety of scholarships are available at St. Paul High School, based on a combination of merit, service, and need. St. Paul scholarships are funded by private corporations, foundations, and individuals who are friends of the school. The criterion for awarding scholarships is defined by the donors and selections are made by the Scholarship Selection Committee in coordination with the Development Office.


It is a privilege to attend St. Paul High School. If a family is granted financial assistance or a scholarship, it is expected that the students will remain in good academic and disciplinary standing. Thanks to the generous donors and foundations we are able to provide limited assistance to families. If a student fails to maintain a 2.0 GPA or is placed on disciplinary probation, a student may be withdrawn from the financial aid/scholarship program so that financial assistance can be given to another deserving student. Financial aid will be discontinued if tuition payments are not kept current. The amount of assistance may vary based on qualified circumstances. Families receiving financial aid will still be required to pay their portion of the tuition plus the required fees (i.e. registration fees, extracurricular fees, activity fees, mandatory parent service hours, etc.)


How is a scholarship different from financial aid?

Financial aid is based on financial need. This must be demonstrated by submitting an application to FACTS Management (www.factstuitionaid.com). A scholarship is based on merit or a combination of merit and need. A merit scholarship is offered for academic merit/service alone. A merit/need scholarship is offered based on academic merit combined with financial need.


How do I apply for a merit/need-based scholarship?

There are two parts to the merit/need-based scholarship application:

  1. Parents are encouraged to apply for the Catholic Education Foundation assistance. Applications may be picked up in the Main Office in December and are due mid-January each year. There is no fee to apply.
  2. FACTS application (for need-based scholarships and financial aid). The quickest and easiest way is to apply online through www.factstuitionaid.com. Have your credit card and latest tax return by your side. To assure that we will have your information to consider, you must file with FACTS by April 15.
  3. Submit scholarship application for students to Mrs. Lisa Allen in the Office of Development (Guidance Building). The scholarship application is very important, and questions should be answered with care. If your scholarship is renewable, you must reapply every year. It is very important that we receive both parts of your scholarship application on time. If the Scholarship and Financial Aid Committee does not have your complete information when it meets, you cannot be considered for a scholarship.
  4. Once the application is processed and all paperwork is verified by FACTS Grant & Aid, the school will be notified. Award decisions are not made by FACTS, but by the Financial Aid Committee at SPHS. You will be notified in writing by SPHS sometime in June regarding your application and award status.

What makes a good scholarship application?

It should be completely filled out, neatly written, and well thought out. Applicants should give examples of leadership and service they have performed. Please be specific. Remember, we don’t know you or what you have done. You need to tell us!



Scholarships and Financial Aid:


Principal’s Scholar $ 3,000

This scholarship is for the full amount of tuition per year (fees are not included) and is awarded to the valedictorian of his/her 8th grade class. Taking the High School Placement Test at St. Paul High School in January or February is required. A letter from the principal is required as verification. The scholarship is renewable for all 4 years provided the student maintains a 3.5 GPA , enrolls in at least two honors courses each semester, serves as a student ambassador each year and is involved in extracurricular activities.


Honors at Entrance $ 1,500

Students scoring in the 90th percentile on the HSPT will receive Honors at Entrance scholarship award in the amount of $2000 per year provided the student maintains a 3.0 GPA, serves as a student ambassador each year, and is involved in extracurricular activities. Taking the High School Placement Test at St. Paul High School in January or February is required


Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) $ 1,500

Through the Catholic Education Foundation, over $8,000,000 per year (in recent years) has been available to students in grades Pre-K through 12 attending Parish and Archdiocesan schools. Please go to their website www.cefdn.org for more information and for application procedures and deadlines. Late applications cannot be accepted.


Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation $ 500 - $1,000

In 2010, the St. Paul High School was awarded $32,500 from the Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation to be used for scholarships to retain students who, without financial assistance, would be unable to remain in the school. These scholarship dollars are to be directed to those students who may be experiencing unanticipated financial hardships in their families. Awards are granted to students who are in need of financial aid, have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and who have a history of Christian Service. Recipients must complete a minimum of 15 hours of Christian Service as an ambassador under the supervision of the Office of Advancement.


William Hannon Foundation $ 500 - $ 1,500

In 2010, St. Paul High School was awarded $50,000 from the William Hannon Foundation to be used for scholarships to retain students who, without financial assistance, would be unable to remain in the school. Awards are granted to students who are in need of financial aid, have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 and who have a history of Christian Service. Recipients must complete a minimum of 15 hours of Christian Service as an ambassador under the supervision of the Office of Advancement.




Rose Hills Scholarship $5000

Four $5,000 scholarships are granted to students who demonstrate financial need, and earn above average grades. The scholarship is renewable for four years to those candidates who maintain the requirements each semester.




Sara’s Hope Foundation $6000

This scholarship was created by Dan & Patty (Chavez) Tate to honor Patty’s parents, Roland and Maryann Chavez who put their six children through St. Paul High School. This is a one-year scholarship which may be renewed. The recipient is chosen on the basis of an essay written by a ninth grade student by the Tate family and is based on a willingness to “Pay it Forward”. Must maintain a 2.5 or better GPA and is involved in extracurricular activities and write a monthly “Random Act of Kindness” essay.




Gardner Scholarship $ 500

Funded by the Gardner family in memory of their husband and father, Richard Gardner, it was designed to assist football players who maintain a 2.0 GPA or better and have demonstrated financial need. It is a renewable scholarship of $500 per year for up to three students.




Sisters of Mercy $ 500 - $ 2,000

Each year the school applies for a grant for emergency tuition. Animated by the Gospel and Catherine McAuley’s passion for the poor, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas are impelled to share their resources with the economically poor of the world, especially women and children.




Bishop Ryan Endowment amount varies

In 2001, St. Paul High School, with the approval of His Eminence Roger M. Mahony, established the Bishop Ryan Endowment Trust Fund. The initial investment in the trust was $250,000 with contributions added annually. The Board of Trustees evaluates and awards scholarships to families in need of assistance.




Support a Swordsman amount varies

This is a program funded by alumni, parents and other donors to help students to provide financial assistance for students demonstrating financial need. The awards can be long term or short term based on funds available and circumstance. The principal determines the need.




Darren Sumabat Scholarship $ 500

Funded by the Sumabat Family in memory of their son, Darren Sumabat, a posthumous graduate of the Class of 2003. It is given annually to an underclassman that has demonstrated financial need. Applicants for this scholarship must be faith-filled, hard-working individuals who have a positive attitude that are involved in St. Paul Activities.




Christopher Valdenegro Poetry Scholarship $ 500

Funded by the parents of Christopher Valdenegro, class of 1990, it is open to 9th, 10th and 11th grade students. The purpose of this scholarship is to foster the development of creative expression in young people. Applicants are required to write a poem of between 10 and 20 lines in length. The English Department judges all submissions and the winner is published in the St. Paul Genesian and winner announced at the Honors Assembly.




The Eugene Zeller Scholarship $ 1500

This scholarship is funded by the sister and brother of former coach Eugene Zeller, who passed away in 2006. The scholarship is awarded to two students who maintain a 3.0 or better GPA and are motivated both academically and athletically.




Adam J. Rosales Memorial $ 600

This scholarship was created by the Rosales family in memory of their son Adam “Bub” Rosales. This is scholarship is available to any senior who has completed all four years at St. Paul High School with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Students must have participated in extra curricular activities and Christian service. Interested seniors must fill out the application and submit an essay of no more than 750 words.