WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s Lasallian Catholic mission is rooted in service, faith, and education. Because of this, the university is proud to offer the Catholic Educator Promise, a new initiative supporting the families of those who dedicate their careers to Catholic education.
Through the donor-funded Catholic Educator Promise, Saint Mary’s will offer free tuition to the dependent children of faculty and staff members employed by K-12 Catholic schools across Minnesota. Eligible students will receive a “last dollar” grant that covers the remaining tuition costs for four years of study after all other scholarships and grants. New incoming students to Saint Mary’s will be eligible for the Catholic Educator Promise beginning in the spring semester of 2025.
“As a Lasallian Catholic institution, Saint Mary’s is deeply committed to supporting those who dedicate their lives to the formation of young minds in Catholic education. The Catholic Educator Promise reflects our unwavering belief in the transformative power of education and our mission to extend that opportunity to the families of those who serve in Catholic grade, middle, and high schools,” said the Very Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D. president of the Saint Mary’s. “By offering this grant, we honor our core values of faith, service, and community, ensuring that the next generation of Catholic leaders can pursue their academic endeavors here.”
“The donor-funded Catholic Educator Promise aligns perfectly with our university’s mission to make quality, faith-based education accessible to more families. By offering this scholarship, we aim to honor the dedication of Catholic school educators and ensure that their children have the opportunity to thrive in a community grounded in faith, service, and academic excellence,” said Michael McMahon, Saint Mary’s vice president for enrollment management.
To receive the Catholic Educator Promise, eligible students must:
- Have a parent/guardian serving as a full-time teacher/staff member at a Minnesota K-12 Catholic school
- Meet admissions criteria and be officially accepted to Saint Mary’s
- Be a Minnesota resident or graduating from a Minnesota high school
- Must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Live in on-campus housing
- Both first-year and transfers are eligible, provided this is their first time at Saint Mary’s
- Be attempting a first bachelor’s degree
- Meet the U.S. Department of Education’s definition for “dependent child”
Along with the Catholic Educator Promise, Saint Mary’s has always prioritized making education attainable for students of all income levels. As a part of this goal, the university also supports the Cardinal Promise, a financial aid commitment for Minnesota and Wisconsin residents that has long provided extremely generous financial packages to students of modest means, covering the cost of tuition for students with a family AGI under $80,000. Learn more about Saint Mary’s Catholic Educator Promise and Cardinal Promise here.
