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Tuition Assistance

The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC)

For families with children in grades K-12 attending private/parochial schools in the Archdiocese of Newark (Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union Counties).

  • Tuition assistance is based on financial need and is awarded without regard to ethnicity, gender, race or religion. Some awards may not be transferable to another school or family member.
  • Currently the SFIC General Scholarship Fund awards $1,200 tuition assistance to elementary and high school students entering grades K through 12. (Pre-Kindergarten programs are not eligible).
  • Tuition assistance applications for 2025-2026 school year will be available on-line only starting February 1, 2025 until May 1, 2025 on the parent/student portal at sficnj.org.
  • Deadline for submitting your on-line application with ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS is May 1, 2025.
  • Financial documentation REQUIRED includes the following:
    • 2024 Federal 1040 (page 1 & 2 only) with children listed as dependents
    • 2024 W2
  • If applicable:
    • 2024 Schedule C/Schedule 1 (if business/other income noted on form 1040)
    • 2024 SSI 1099S or benefit budget letter including monthly amount
    • Unemployment determination letter
    • Current SNAP Food Stamp and/or Welfare benefit budget letter including monthly amounts.

A $35 non-refundable application fee (payable via credit or prepaid credit card) is required (one per family).

Students receiving tuition assistance are not eligible for more than one award.

All applicants will be notified by email of our decision July 2025.

Tuition assistance payments are made directly to the schools (January 2026 and June 2025).

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for the SFIC tuition assistance award?

Parents/Guardians of students in grades K-12 from low income families currently or planning to enroll in a private/parochial school located within the Archdiocese of Newark district (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties) are eligible to apply. We do not offer tuition assistance for any Pre-K or after school programs. Only the schools listed on our online application can be considered.

How can I apply?

RETURNING FAMILIES who are currently receiving tuition assistance (or have previously applied in 2024) will receive an email with instructions on how to re-apply with a special link to access the on line application. Returning families MUST USE THE EMAIL WITH THE UNIQUE APPLICATION LINK FOR YOUR FAMILY. Do not re-apply through the NEW APPLICANT link. This will create a duplicate record in our system and the processing of the application will be delayed.

NEW APPLICANTS who are applying for the very first time should visit the PARENT PORTAL on our website at www.sficnj.org and create an account as a new family. When creating your account be aware that SFIC does not have access to your password so be diligent and save the information where you can readily gain access to it. You will be using this annually when you re-apply.

When can I apply for The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC) tuition assistance?

The applications for the 2025-2026 school year will be available on the www.sficnj.org website PARENT PORTAL beginning February 1, 2025. The application may only be filled out and submitted on-line and will be considered complete once ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS are submitted. Any applications received without the proper financial documentation by the May 1, 2025 deadline date will not be considered.

What is needed with my application?

All applications must include the following REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (we cannot accept any financial forms/taxes from prior years or tax transcripts) a copy of signed 2024 Federal 1040 form and all 2024 W-2 forms (and Schedule C/Schedule 1 if business/other income is reported on the Federal 1040 form) for all family members included as part of your household on the application. A $30 non-refundable fee payable to SFIC is required. The Federal 1040 form must include the name(s) of each child for whom you are requesting assistance. If appropriate, you should also include copies of Unemployment, Child Support, Public Assistance, and Social Security benefits.

 All applicants must provide a valid email address.

If my child is currently receiving an award for SFIC do I have to reapply for the following school year(s)?

Yes. Families must requalify and submit an application annually for the SFIC tuition assistance, regardless of whether they are currently receiving or have been past recipients of an award. Families must also supply the most current financial documentation with their application every year. If you applied within the last year (whether you received an award or not) you will receive an email with a special link for you to access the application. Please check with our office at 973 497-4283 to make sure the email on file is the correct one. Do not use the link on the website for new applicants as it will delay the process.

For more information and facts about applying visit www.sficnj.org. If you have any questions you can email your question or comment to schofund@rcan.org. Make sure you leave your name, name of student, question and a daytime phone number where we can reach you.