New York Catholic Foundation Announces $150,000 Scholarship Program

New York, NY, June 30, 2010   The New York Catholic Foundation, Inc. (NYCF) today announced a new scholarship program, totaling up to $150,000, directed at selected Catholic elementary schools of the Archdiocese of New York located in Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, Westchester and Ulster Counties.  The Foundation will be underwriting the program for the 2010-2011 academic year.

The Children’s Scholarship Partnership – North (CSP-North) will be focused on attracting new students to Catholic elementary schools. Through a partnership with the Children’s Scholarship Fund (similar to its work with the Inner City Scholarship Fund of New York City), the program will launch immediately, with the ultimate goal of attracting as many as 100 new families to schools in the upper regions of the Archdiocese of New York.

“It gives us great pleasure to announce the Children’s Scholarship Partnership-North,” said Robert Niehaus, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New York Catholic Foundation, Inc. “The value and quality of a Catholic school education is amply borne out by the success of our Catholic school graduates.  By creating aid opportunities outside of New York City for the first time, we hope to help those families who might not otherwise be able to afford a Catholic school education to have this tremendous and formative educational experience.”

“We are immensely pleased to be able to assist in the effort to attract new students to outstanding Catholic elementary schools in these communities,” said Susan George, acting administrator of the New York Catholic Foundation, Inc. “We are excited that, together with the Archdiocese of New York, we are working proactively to ensure steady student enrollment and to continue the Archdiocese’s commitment to ensure that all children who desire a Catholic school education have access to one.”

Information about the new scholarship program will be distributed in coming weeks through the parishes and schools in the targeted counties.   Interested parents may also call the Children’s Scholarship Fund at 212-515-7137, or visit www.scholarshipfund.org.

The Archdiocese of New York has oversight of more than 83,000 students in 279 Catholic elementary schools, high schools and special education programs serving students from Pre-K through grade 12 in ten counties, including Manhattan, Staten Island, Bronx, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster.  For over 200 years, the Archdiocese has been committed to ensuring that all children have access to a rigorous, high quality education, one infused with moral formation, regardless of their faith or their financial circumstances.  Today, the Archdiocese continues to fulfill its centuries-old mission, helping tens of thousands of children from all walks of life, including recent immigrants, and providing them with an equal opportunity to share in the American dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.